Hello All,

It has been some time since I have been on the board as I have been out of the lets take apart an old german car game since 2005.....Old habits die hard and I gots the fever for some cow bell...
Here is the situation...l am always searching craigslist for cars and mercedes diesels since I have loved them.....happens to be one 7 houses away from me for sale....1980 240d with 141k second owner....the guy thought that it was shifting fine but it would punch you out of the seat firm as well as hold the shifts for ever before it would up shift to the next gear....I spent some time on it since he is a neighbor and I am a nice guy trying to fix the problem...at first he thought that It was fine and I was wrong because he had it checked out by a mechanic when he bought it and he said that it was just how these cars are...

To make a long story less long. I fix one of the many possible and probablle vacuum leaks as the line going to the modulator was broken. If I buy the car I will go through the whole thing and replace every vacuum item.....the car shifts so much better....near normal...typical benzo diesel.....How can I adjust the shift points as it will not go into 4th until 47 mph...no matter how I drive it.....I know that I would not make any adjustments until all (i mean all) vacuum problems are remedied. This car does NOT have a bowden cable to adjust....I am worried that if I fix all the vacuum leaks that this thing is still going to hold its gear until I loose my hearing.....

Also a consideration, he is asking 3500 hundred for the benzo...I think that it is far considering its overall good condition...I would have to give up my 2003 buick century to buy it as I just dont need so many cars.

Is the 1980 240d a bad year due to the transmission adjustment limitations or is it better for it?...I thought that the car was nice and slow just like I like it....I was impressed with how much power it has....as most people who drive old benz diesels other peoples feelings dont come into the equation.

Other than new motor mounts and engine shock and shocks all around it seems like a real nice old benzo.

thanks so much and maybe I will be back for good if I scratch this itch or not.

BOB

i love the mechanics that say "thats just how they're supposed to shift"... its a mercedes benz. it was never meant to shift like that!

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

Looks like we both in a similar boat. Do you have pics of the Benz?

My 1980 300sd had a replaced trans, where they overfilled the trans fluid by about 10oz to much removed all of that, and she clicks through much smoother now, but as you said the 47mph for 4th gear is a problem for me as well. I got under the trans, and found that the connecting rubber hose for the vac modulator and the line was nearly dry rotted. I found a similar diameter hose (slightly larger) and slid it a decent ways up the vacuum tube and attached it to vac modulator and that helped remedy the problem for a temporary fix till i buy new hose

I "think" the 47mph shift is normal. My car shifts into fourth around there and when I had a manual car I would shift into fourth around there. As far as what rpm that is should shift, I am not positive. You may have a very common problem as a stuck down kick down switch under the gas pedal. You can easily unplug it and see if there is a difference. The car may also be overdue for a fluid flush.....now I have heard harsh shifting can also be due to a worn engine....no enough torque to shift the trans when needed....the engine may need some maintenance.....3500$ for an auto 240d is a lot in my mind.....your shift bushings could also be worn....

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It is a nice little car......I did unplug the kickdown switch and it did not change the shift....3500 is not cheap but it is nice to know the history of the car and that is worth something....even though the current owner does not seem to informed about it......I do feel that a manual would be a better choice as it would be simplier and more pleasant to drive than the noisey auto trans and engine screaming all the time......I did enjoy myself fixing up my neighbors car and likely made a new friend in the process.....I am impressed with the simplicity of the 240d and previously would have avoided it due to the lack of power.....not any longer, with a 4 speed I would love to drive it......Thanks for the help.....the fact that i was able to fix the trans for the most part makes it all the more tempting.

BOB

Even if you upgrade to a manual, you will still have a fairly loud engine....these guys are high reving motors....I constantly have people jump out of the way when I floor it to make it through an intersection.....even in the manual car I was flagged over by a cop because she said I was speeding but I was only going 15mph....

If the guy is the original owner, all documents are with the car and it is mint....I can see 3500$ but I can promise you, you can find a nicer one....with a manual already for the same price....and look for rust! Hinge pockets and battery tray are the normal places.....take a screw driver and poke around the jack holes and floors....mb put ALOT of undercoating and sound material on these cars and they hid rot very very good!

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Sounds like you have another one of the cars with the vacuum-only transmission controls.

You should start by reading this thread: Help with Mercedes 300d shifting problem

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

well the plot thickens.....I did seem to get the car to shift much better but decided not to buy it and the emotion of it all faded.......now the price is 3000.....seems more reasonable.......It is a nice little car with a good history.............I am getting tempted again......

Thanks everyone.

BOB

What's $3,000 in today's quickly devaluing dollar? Jump in with both feet and don't look back. You only orbit once, then its a splash down. Doesn't cost much more to go first class.

Did that help?

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You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

Yes it did.....too bad the wife is a buzz kill worse than Hillary Clinton.....I may want to wait it out and get a stick shift......Seems like it would be a better car......If it was a stick shift it would likely be in my driveway already.

BOB