Background: Rebuilt transmission installed 75K mi ago. More or less shifted well for all of those miles, aside from an occasional "clunk" when downshifting at less than 25mph. About 30K mi ago adusted "bowden" cable to facilitate better downshifting when passing, uphill starts, etc. No issues since.

Current behavior: When initially warming up car (driving) shifting is normal. After initial warm-up, I can park the car, go to a sales appointment, come back out and start the car and every shift will be hard - I mean serious "clunk." As if there were almost no clutching involved. Pull the car over, turn it off, re-start the car, and the shifting goes back to normal. Sometimes there will be one or two repetitions of this cycle. During these "hard-shift" episodes I can hear an unusual whine in the tranny when accelerating - even when the car is in neutral or park.

Precipitating conditions: I ran the car through a car wash where there was an "underbody spray" to get rid of salt accumulated in the mountain passes. I have no idea if this is causal, but I wanted to mention it because that is the only thing out of the ordinary I have done. Also, I changed the transmission fluid after the first episode (which was after the car wash) - the old fluid was clear and pink, no sign of water.

I appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Geoff

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327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...

It's possible the vacuum line at the transmission has been dislodged (or loose) which could explain intermittent symptoms.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Thanks for the quick reply. I got under the car to see any obvious disconnect with no success. I will look with the car raised.

__________________
327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...

monitoring the vacuum level going from the vcv to the transmission modulator might show a change in the vacuum levels causing those symptoms.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

In that 75K miles ... how many times have you changed the trans fluid and filter ?

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Twice - and both times backflushed. Filter is good.

__________________
327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...