The transmission of my 380sl seemed to be leaking slowly from the kickdown solenoid. So I replaced the 3 rubber seals on the magnet frame and the washer on the magnetic coil. However, it still leaks, and I can't see anything leaking above or behind it. Anybody have any ideas as to where or why its still leaking?

Thanks in advance.

wrong o rings?

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

Nah! They were exactly like the ones that were on there, and they fit perfectly. But the fluid is still seeping out along the left side of the coil, and dripping down onto the belly pan.

I have same issue with my 300TE....Its still leaking from the kickdown solenoid. I even replaced the damn thing since it had a hairline crack in it.

So I am lost also.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

I think that's the same tranny -- mine's a 722.30-- and same kick-down solenoid. But the EPC shows two versions of the solenoid for your car, and a number of versions of the solenoid for my car with a host of footnotes and options I cant' make heads nor tales of.

Since my tranny was rebuilt last March, and is still under warranty, I'm going to take it back to the shop to see what they say about it.

I'm not sure if the warranty covers the kick-down. But If I'm lucky, they'll be able to tell me what the problem is and, hopefully, fix it. And if that's the case, I'll report back.

did u check the casting for defects?

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

No I didn't even think of that. I just figured that a casting defect would have showed up long before that in a 30 yr old car.

Check yours for hairline cracks like mine had.

I will be removing mine again in the up coming week when I remove the rear output housing and I'll let you know if mine stops leaking.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

What did you use to plug the hole to prevent the fluid from leaking out of the tranny when you removed the kickdown?

Is there a copper / aluminum crush washer under the head of the bolt that passes through the solenoid?



Small print - I assume 722.3 solenoid is much like a 722.1 one...

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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!

I just let it run out into a bucket. It's about 1qt. Drips straight down no mess.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Yes! It appears to be the same solenoid and the same washer, which I replaced. However, there were a number of versions, and I'm not sure which one I have, since I didn't check the number on the unit when I replaced it.

Now I'm thinking that if there are no cracks in the casting, and I put gasket sealant on the washer, as well as thread tape on the solenoid, that might seal it?

Well if that doesn't do it I'd start looking higher up the transmission to see if it isn't leaking from somewhere else onto the solenoid...

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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!

There should be three O-rings on the bolt. The picture above is missing the large O-ring that sits at the head of the bolt (part 008 997 31 48).

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1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

If you find out why the kickdown solenoid is leaking, please let me know. I have had mine off the 1987 300D about 4 times with all new o'rings and washer. I checked for cracks and there are none.
Don
donbrumley409@gmail.com