i may buy a 1980 240d...Trans shifting issues.

[thebob]

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