Weird tranny

[gregszustak]

I had this posted on the Diesel Forum (8/11/06) but whoever looked at it must be as stumped as I am.

First Mercedes (purchase June '06), beautiful cars.
Transmission shops in this area seem to be either thieves or incompetent.

1981 240d - automatic

Automatic tranny - 220,000 miles (original tranny?)
At 50 degrees or lower.
Transmission will move forward in neutral or reverse and try to move forward in park. (As if firmly in first gear)
A delay getting into reverse when cold, a minimum delay when it warms up.
Everything else seems to function fine, no slipping.
No problems at all when warm.
Ideas???????? Thanks

[joseph c]

how is the fluid? clean, smell burnt?- most auto transmissions that show these signs are due for rebuild, problem is caused by the forward clutch pack friction plates being burned and clutch steels are warped causing forward clutches to apply when cold. as the tranny warms the clearance grows and the clutches stop applying. sorry for the bad news but time to rebuild it. this is my opinion, but after years of doing my own transmissions this probably the cause. hope this helps.
joe

[C32AMG]

Two possibilities, B2 piston broken jamming the B2 band on. If the transmission fluid is not brunt, you can change the piston with the transmission in the car. If that’s the problem.

Very brunt stuck on K1or K2 clutches, not allowing the piston too release, internal

[gregszustak]

Thanks for the replies.

Never mentioned - Tranny fluid still red, no smell of a burnt transmission.
Would K1, K2 be the same as 'Forward Clutch Pack'?
Is it possible the tranny has just started its trip out and fluid still smells and looks good?
Can't really grasp forward engagement in Park position, as if the fluid is being sent in the wrong direction.

I am able to get a rebuilt installed, problem in this area is
no one actually knows how to diagnose a transmission.

Western New York vicinity, anyone with a brain has left the area. May explain why I'm still here.

[stevebfl]

Unfortunately the proper diagnosis of your problem will likely require disassembly. One could pull the valve body and view the color of the band and clutch drums. Pulling the B2 piston might give a successful diagnostic.

The issue for the brain dead techs you are asking is whether you wish to spend 2-4 hours labor diagnosing a problem in a really old transmission that odds are needs rebuilding. Are you willing to spend 2-300 dollars on the diagnosis? If not, I think those with a brain are hiding it. Just like those who own heavy equipment, those with brains, expect to get paid for its use.

[gregszustak]

Looks like 3 for 3 on the clutches.
Time for the rebuild.

Thanks