Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-16-2008, 10:34 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 52
1990 300E 4matic trans question...

First off Season's Greetings!!

Now, my trans loses fluid. It was found to have badly decayed cooler lines and so these were changed...but it still loses fluid, altho there is nothing perceptible on the underside or ground so Im stumped.

It also has episodes of huge plumes of white exhaust billows, and I have read that it's possible that if the trans modulator is faulty, it could allow for the ATF to get combusted in an engine cylinder.

So I take it to the guy who fixed the lines, and tell him to check the modulator, and his reply is, upon investigation, my car has NO modulator.. I have no reason to doubt him, he's well regarded on trannies.

Does anyone know if this is possible, and if so, where my ATF might be going????

Cheers.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-16-2008, 11:04 AM
whipplem104's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: seattle
Posts: 1,186
Your car definitely has a vacuum modulator. It is on the driver's side and is round plastic. It will either be black or most likely red.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-16-2008, 11:41 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: bullhead city, az hot as hell
Posts: 301
yes they can leak thru and get into engine
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-16-2008, 08:27 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 135
Where are you adding or checking trans fluid?

A 4Matic of this era that billows white smoke sounds like it has a leaking transfer case. With a transfer case leak, there is no loss of trans fluid from the transmission. Are you checking the trans dip stick and adding fluid there?
__________________
07 E350 4Matic wagon, 06 S430 4Matic, 99 SLK 230
retired W210 (x3), W124, W126
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-16-2008, 09:51 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Indpls.,IN. USA
Posts: 84
Modulator failure

As previously noted, there definately is a modulator on this tranmission. Its a colored plastic vacuum cell about the size of a silver dollar, The vacuum line goes directly to the intake manifold. If you pull off the hose connector at the valve and fluid is apparent then you've got your culprit. The new modulator is probably different than the original and requires some multiple part replacement, The new "pin" should come with the part. Don't completely snap the new lid back on the modulator until you are happy with its adjustment. Its designed to be left on and has an externally adjustable cover that allows a 0.4 bar pressure adjustment without removing the cover. Good Luck!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-17-2008, 09:48 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by brooktre View Post
A 4Matic of this era that billows white smoke sounds like it has a leaking transfer case. With a transfer case leak, there is no loss of trans fluid from the transmission. Are you checking the trans dip stick and adding fluid there?
It's definitely the tranny's ATF that's disappearing. And it's disappearing at a rate that were it an external leak, it would be obvious. I have to conclude it's being consumed internally, somehow.

But to your post, how would a leaky 4matic TC cause the billowing smoke anyhow...

Thanks to all for the help.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-17-2008, 01:39 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,177
On the 4-matics the modulator is mostly obscured by the front driveshaft. Even the simple adjustment is quite difficult with the front driveshaft in place. Replacing the modulator will certainly require removing the front shaft to gain access
__________________

90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE
104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-17-2008, 07:51 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: jersey
Posts: 188
look in the radiator the cooler might be bad as the changing of the cooler lines might have ruptured the core on the inside if the radiator has oil in it than change the rad - jz
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-17-2008, 07:55 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 135
leaking 4matic

On a 4matic, hydraulic fluid leaks into the transfer case (which is filled with transmission fluid). The transfer case fills, and eventually overflows spilling fluid onto the exhaust. In some cases, this causes a lot of white smoke while driving.

__________________
07 E350 4Matic wagon, 06 S430 4Matic, 99 SLK 230
retired W210 (x3), W124, W126
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page