I didn't really want to go faster than 50- so I did not try. The issues have gotten progressively worse and I've changed nothing under the hood. IDK if that rules out some adjustments as cures. I hope I don't have to rent a truck to come get the offered tranny just a bit north- but it that's what it takes...

Odd.

It sounds as if vacuum and Bowden throttling are erratic.

Some thoughts.

If I recall correctly, your car has the vacuum/Bowden cable, which was superseded for several technical failure issues.


.

.


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The EPC says:

Cable, transmission Bowden
MB# 1242701573
replaced by MB# 1242701673
+ (1) MB# 0009871145
Pelican Parts - Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche & BMW

I sincerely hope the answer is that simple.


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__________________
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I hope so also. Can anyone verify that the 240D tranny is the same unit as the 95e320 unit? Obviously renting a truck to get another tranny which is not the same unit does no good for myself or the good soul who offered it.

So the tech gets in the car and checks the oil- the oil light is one. It's a sensor at the oil pan- it's always been on but the oil level is between the marks. He starts the engine and checks the tranny fluid with the engine idling and says the fluid is black but at the proper level (the fluid was considerably darker after yesterdays drive- not much red/pink in it but it looks grey not black to me). He puts the car in reverse and immediately gives it gas to back out-waits 3 seconds and puts it in forward- the car moves forward. Reverse again and waits 2 seconds- gives it gas and revs the engine to maybe 2K-3K, lets it go back down and waits another second or two and puts it in forward. It moves forward. Tries reverse again for 5 seconds. I'm 15 feet away watching from the front desk chairs. He comes inside and says it needs a full rebuild and it'll take some time to get the cost estimate after looking up the price for another transmission. I tell him about the bowden cable - and it may be an issue and he says a bowden cable would not cause no reverse and again states it needs a full rebuild.

I'm feeling like a bit more diagnosis is needed before we go right to the most expensive option.

thoughts?

Okay so I ask if there is further diagnosis needed besides the "test drive" and they say no it's 100% sure it needs a new transmission for about $3000.

They do not want to do further testing and it appears that either they will do a replacement or nothing.

The local MB indie wants $1300 for and used tranny and torque converter plus any outside costs- which may be nothing. I can drive the car to that place - it's close. Should I ask for a fluid and filter change here at the tranny shop?

Look.....you are going to spend either $1300 or $3000 for a new tranny. Fluid that is black is worn out fluid...period. It COULD be original since you have no history. One thing for sure is that its probably lost all additives, friction modifiers etc etc at this point. If you want to see if new fluid will make a difference and you want to do it cheap.....just have them change the fluid...no filter...no nothing else, just fluid. Should be $50 and take 20 minutes. Drain and replace. Then drive the car over to the shop with the used tranny {if thats the way you decide to go}. See if you notice any significant change in the shifting. If not, get your used or reman tranny installed. If you do notice a change, drive the car for 100 miles and change the fluid AND filter again and see what you've got.
Not a lot of time or money to lose this way and you will probably feel better about spending the money on a rebuild/used tranny if it doesnt work. Or, you can second guess it for as long as you own the car.
My 2 cents{again}

Pictures later but the pan and filter were full of friction material. Very little metal if any, but plenty of friction material and the fluid was pretty dark- as was the friction material. I'm changing the fluid and filter and driving it over to the other shop. What's an additional $100-$140 for the fluid and filter when the bill is most likely gonna be $1400?

I think you are doing the correct thing.

__________________
Jim

Did you spend the night in the wagon and was it comfortable?

Sorry to hear of all your troubles. If the cost of repair is not worth it you may want to consider my 83 300D T. It is currently waiting on install of 2 new (used) front fenders.

Thinking of selling my 83 300D turbo, what's it worth

Runs awesome, transmissiom was rebuilt by the PO at around 150K and shifts fine, maybe the transmission is the same as the one in your W123 wagon? It will provide transport for you while you're in NY and I am confident it will make it to FL (and a lot more). It would make a great candidate for a heart transplant to a rust free shell which should be easy to find in FL. LMK if interested. I'll give you a good deal as I have a surplus of vehicles.

BTW the seller of the Euro wagon never contacted me.

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Thanks Steve- but I have four cars already. I want three at most. My wagon will not sell for over the price a junker would pay for it right now- maybe $500. With a properly functioning tranny it may be worth $2500.
IDK if the guy has sold the 1984 euro parts wagon in Hamden or not. I may still be able to rent a truck and go get the manual transmission there for my wagon in FL. That's want right now- not a need. I stayed at a nearby hotel for the night.

I'm not fond of the predicament I've place myself in with this four car stuff and the one in NY breaking down most likely needing $1300-$1500 of work. Oh well- it's only money.

OK I understand. Good luck! Hope it's something simple.

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

So I had the filter and fluid change and the tranny would not move the car an inch in forward or reverse. The tech said sometimes the clogged filter would keep fluid on top of itself and allow the tranny to "work"- but now it can't prime the fluid so it does not work. I had to tow it to the indie shop. Banner transmission tried everything to keep the car at their place- free storage, we'll check it everyday for a week to see if it now worked, no need to tow it- etc. They know if the car leaves there is a good chance they will not get the job.
I could not really tell them the indie was doing the job without causing friction between the two shops.
To make a long story short I spent an extra $200- $60 for the tow and a buck thirty five for the fluid and filter change- all for nothing.

The indie- Pit Bull Motors in Freeport- gets the job with a used tranny pulled from a car that had no issue and clean pan installed with a rebuilt torque converter with a 6 month job warranty for around the $1300 figure. Steve (shop owner) has a container of used stuff. He's tough to work as a indie- first you have to punch him then you have to love him. Or the other way around- this is New York ya know.

I'm pissed off at my luck- but as my MIL says (she's Panamanian and if you want a chicken dinner you have to catch the chicken yourself ) "sometimes you get the chicken, sometimes you get the feathers".

I got the feathers this time.

Life goes on.

Thanks for helping, listening and giving advice everyone.

Ahh.........damn. Well you gave it your best shot.

LMK if you need to take the van to CT next week to pickup that trans.

The wagon gathers another award?: Worst junk in tranny filter ...