Hey guys,

A month or so ago, my '82 240D (manual) started really struggling with uphills, slowing to a crawl if I don't have speed up before I approach the hill. The problem has been intermittent, typically kicking in after I've been driving for 20 minutes or more.

What's happening is the engine is revving (so not a fuel flow problem, I think), but no power seems to be transferring. I have to really floor the gas to get just enough torque to get over the hill.

Like all problems, it's getting worse. Today was really bad, as I work on top of a hill....I had to crawl up it in 1st gear. I could smell something hot (though engine temp was normal).

My theories: Clutch? Tranny? Tranny has been sticky for awhile, sometimes but rarely gets stuck in 2nd gear, so I know there's problems there too.

Any thoughts? Hasn't had a valve adjustment in 4 years or so, just putting that out there.

Thanks for any help you can give...I'm working 7 days a week right now so big car repairs are looking scary.

Deanna

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1976 300D 217k...an old car needin some love. (GONE OFF TO RUSTY CAR HEAVEN)

1982 240D probably something like 190,000 miles...was Old Yeller, but I changed the name to Buttercup

Clutch? Does it smell?

Do you have any oil in the transmission?

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

I would say check your air filter, if yours is a turbo make sure it spins freely with no play in the shaft, also check your boost lines (again if it's turbo) would be wise to do a valve adjust. I'm betting some of them if not all are tight, and fuel filters, never hurts to change them out, even if the engine revs.

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Bad clutch almost certainly. I suppose it's possible that it's maladjusted and the slave cylinder is not releasing the plate fully but chances are you need a new clutch. Typically, it wouldn't take very long to go from the condition it is currently in to not being able to move the car at all because all the time it is slipping, the clutch disc is deteriorating. I did once drive an MG Midget in similar condition for a couple of months but I religiously avoided any conditions which would cause the clutch to slip--such as hills or starts on uphill slopes.

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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

Once a clutch starts slipping, it deteriorates very quickly. I bunred one with slicks in a V8, and was amazed at how quickly it went away.

Once you smell that acrid burning smell, its toast.