Hey all.

I need some help.

Within the last month, I go to check the codes just in case anything has popped up. it's a usual routine since my CEL comes on anyway from the stupid EGR valve code.

So I run through and get an Upshift Delay Valve issue. I've heard through the grapevine, though not clearly, that this issue is just as insignificant as the EGR code.

But here's an issue I also developed when driving.

Within the next week, some upshifts in when driving have been kinda lethargic. It does it in an inconsistent pattern so I'm left scratching my head.

Background. 94 E320 Coupe. 129,8xx miles. Tranny serviced, flushed and new fluid/filter last summer, at 120k service interval.

It seems like anywhere between 1-40% throttle, 2nd-3rd and 3rd-4th shifts take longer and aren't as firm as they should be. And when the shifts occur, engine revs flare up and then it shifts. Whenever this happens it seems to be at city speeds. Downshifts seem to be unaffected, and even kickdowns seem fine.

To help describe it best, it's like it's shifting when the car is cold, and the upshift delay valve IS working...or for example, when it comes to shift....it's like OK...upshift time...clutch disengage...wait....shift delay?.....then engage clutch. I can video to help you guys see it better.

Also, when I've been driving for a while and this happens...I put my hand on the shift stalk and I don't feel any heat radiating from it (taken from the guide to shift modulation...that if shifts are too soft then that produces heat at the clutch).

It's been really cold recently, can that have a slight effect?

I'm just most worried about my transmission starting to go.

Can the upshift delay valve cause this?

The other thing that it can be is maybe a faulty tranny shift modulator? I ask this one because I made a thread on BenzWorld that whenever I stretch the legs out (meaning 90-120 MPH, please don't give me a lecture on this...I rarely do this) for a couple miles, and then let off but get on the throttle to maintain the speedlimit, I get smoke trailing from the back and the smell of a sort of oil. Someone said that my tranny modulator valve can be leaking in that thread.

What could this be guys and what could use fixing? Any help = awesome cuz I drive daily for work and school, my parents are going through a divorce and my family just had to disown my sister over some issues so I or my family cannot afford a new trans or probably even a mech appt to fix this and my 280S is out of commission for bad brakes.

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1975 W116 280S - SOLD
1994 W124 E320 Coupe - Gone

CURRENT - 1974 450SEL - 1987 560SEL