I have an '81 300td - daily driver- 280k. transmission shifts from second to third almost instantly 98% of the time. Right around 20 mph. Surely puts a damper on the 'acceleration'.

Only other shifting issue are a flare in the 2/3 in cold weather when the tranny is cold(doesn't happen at all in the summer), and the occasional slip, which requires a shift back into neutral and then back into gear (once a month...)

Any guesses as to what might be the cause, and if there is a solution?
Thanks

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1981 300TD
1985 300TD

Do you know the type of transmission you have fitted?

Assuming you mean TD as in station wagon and it is a 1981 model then that should be a non turbo OM617 with a 722.118 vacuum only transmission. However, people swap transmissions about so it is best to find out what is actually there first.

Another question - when was your last fluid and filter change?

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

To the best of my knowledge transmission is original (borrowed time I know).
722.118 vacuum only. I have not changed the filter and fluid since I've owned it (1 1/2 years). I will do that, cross my fingers, and report back.

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1981 300TD
1985 300TD

Sounds like a plan.

Make sure that you drain the torque converter too - separate drain plug on the torque converter itself.

Be really really anal about measuring how much fluid comes out and then put exactly the same amount of clean fluid back in and you'll not be asking how the %%%^%^ am I meant to measure the fluid level on these sodding dip sticks...

...which actually isn't all that difficult but people do struggle as it should be measured with the engine running at a specific temperature when the fluid isn't frothy...

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

If the problem persists after the fluid and filter change, it is probably a leaking 3/2 valve, perhaps in combination with a VCV which is not bleeding vacuum like it should.