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  #1  
Old 09-17-2003, 09:31 AM
fatcat
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Transmission Woes in Connecticut

Brought my ‘85 300 turbo into the Dealer after transmission stopped shifting in drive. Car will get up to about 20-25 mph before transmission starts to slip. If I put it into neutral and then drop it back into Drive, it seems to change gears and will pick up speed. Dealer now reports that it needs transmission and torque converter replaced. Waiting cost estimate from Dealer. Since car has 160k on it a $4500-5000 dealer transmission job does not seem like such a good idea with Blue Book value at $3k I am leaning toward trading it on something else but not sure if anyone will take it with the transmission as is even though it looks great and is barely (by diesel standards) broken in. I’m assuming Dealer did all the right checks and is not mistaken about need for replacement. Anyone have any words of wisdom or recommendations on transmission options (replacement by other than the Dealer)?

Thanks.

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Old 09-17-2003, 09:42 AM
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Before I went to the expense of replacing it I would at least try changing the filter and fluid. Did it go bad gradually or all of a sudden?
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  #3  
Old 09-17-2003, 09:46 AM
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A used transmission at a pick and pull around here is $67. My guess is that almost any mechanic could put it in for around $500-600. Even buying a rebuilt transmission and having an independent mechanic put it in would be much less than the dealer. I looked at a 300TD whose records showed that the tranmission had been rebuilt at Stu Ritter's shop. I'm pretty sure the total cost was under $1500.
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Old 09-17-2003, 01:02 PM
fatcat
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Bad news

Dealer called and said replacement would cost $6700. That comes along with a one year, 12,000 mile warranty.

Problem seemed to occur suddenly, had driven the car 75 high speed miles in the am and at noon after about 4 miles at 35 mph it started to slip-does this mean anything? No indications of a problem before then.

Fluid and filter was changed about 8 months ago.

$6700.
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  #5  
Old 09-17-2003, 01:05 PM
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Can't comment on the transmission, but I wouldn't be taking my vehicle back to that dealer again. He's living in another universe.
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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
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  #6  
Old 09-17-2003, 02:28 PM
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A cheap quick chance at saving money... get a clear tube about 8 ft long which will go into the trans dipstick tube with a little room to spare .. you need air entry for this... then cut the end which is going into the trans on a slight angle( so it does not fit flat on the bottom of the trans insides)... and put it into the tube...
Then suck on it until it gets to flowing over the side of the fender and stick the end into a gallon or larger clear container...
When at least 2.5 quarts are into the container.... take out the tube and use a small funnel to put two quarts of Trans-X into the trans... It took two hours for it to "flow" out when I did this.If you have air available.. you can put an air hose near the top of the tube and use hold rags around it to seal it a little and this will push the fluid out much faster...
Then start the car and sit in the driveway with it idling and you gently go from one gear to another , waiting about 10 seconds until you shift to the next one... be sure to use reverse and park also... if you can at some point take it around the block that will speed up the process.... but don't get stranded...
This should cost you less than $25 total.... and has a shot at curing your problems... if it does not then you know you have much larger problems than varnish build up....
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Old 09-17-2003, 03:04 PM
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I'm not real clear on what your exact symptoms are, but you can get a rebuilt trans with a 2 year warranty from Sun Valley for about $1200. Add $500 for the swap and take the savings to Foxwoods. I bought our 83 with a bad tranny real cheap, $100 and a B2 piston later and she was on the road.

Who is the dealer?

Jerry
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Old 09-17-2003, 03:25 PM
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And another thing!!

Form the ATSG manual on the 722 trans:

No upshifts.
1. Check regulating pressure, if no pressure, go to item 2, else item 3.
2. Check centrifugal governor and make operative.
3. Disassemble, clean shift valve housing and exchange if required.

The Trans-X solution posted by leathermang could very well fix it.

Good Luck
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  #9  
Old 09-17-2003, 04:32 PM
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And if it does not at least it is not a huge investment of time or money lost...
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  #10  
Old 09-17-2003, 07:47 PM
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Fatcat, where are you in CT. I can refer you to a reasonable indy in Portchester, NY (on the CT border) who replaced my trans with a rebuilt, INCLUDES the torque converter for around $2200 on my 94 E320, one year warranty. My reversed failed and when he took off the pan, loose metal everywhere. the local MB dealer wanted $3200 not including the torque converter. A good indy is the way to go. Dealers are for warranty repairs only.
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  #11  
Old 09-18-2003, 10:51 AM
fatcat
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Anything is worth a try

I will give the Trans X a try first since it appears to be easy and I have read of people having some success. How long might it take to work and if it is successful do you recommend draining the fluid and changing the filter after some number of miles?

If this does not do it I would welcome any suggestions on the location of a cheaper solution, meaning an independent that would take this on. Its not that I am adverse to a do-it-yourself job but I'm geting older and transmissions are fairly heavy. By the way I am in the Hartford area.

Thanks for all the help.

$6700 wow.
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  #12  
Old 09-18-2003, 11:19 AM
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It could work within a few miles or a few minutes sitting in the driveway... but I would give it a few hundred just in case.....
Yes, I always drain initial treatments out and put in new filter and fluid just on principle after a few hundred miles. Then you can put some in and leave it if you want to in the new fluid... and clean filter...
Find out how many fluid ounces your trans holds.. and mix the proper strong mix... my wagon took two quarts...follow label directions... they have tested these things and want you to be successful....
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  #13  
Old 09-18-2003, 12:08 PM
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By all means, try the Trans-X but these problems are symptomatic of a failed/shot B2 piston.
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  #14  
Old 09-18-2003, 12:34 PM
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I'd have the pressure tested first, as I don't know what damage could be done by driving with no pressure due to a governor problem. I know an indy that swears by the Trans-X stuff, he'll run it through a couple times if needed on a severly neglected tranny.

Jerry
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  #15  
Old 09-18-2003, 03:46 PM
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I am thankful that people report that others have recommended Trans-X... since it sounds like a snake oil... and the fix it provided for me sounded unbelievable... EVEN to me.... LOL

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