If anyone can help me...my 83 240 D is an automatic tranny with 121K and it won't shift unless I let off the gas each time. It is worse when I tromp on it, but is still bad when easing into it. It feels like I have a standard, without a clutch. It has been suggested to me that it's a vacuum problem. I have NO IDEA about the vacuum system, and I don't want to get taken at the garage. I was thinking about replacing the tranny but don't want to if it can be fixed cheaper. I have already changed the filter and tranny fluid. Any help or suggestion would be appreciated.

The tranny in the 240 is pretty bullet proof. How many miles on it?
Mine had 330 and is still going. Vacuum lines first and new modulator valve certainly before a tranny . You might just replace the tranny and have the same problem because you didn't do the vacuum stuff first

__________________
Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

My 240D has only 121K onit. From what I'm hearing, she's still a baby. I am hearing a lot about vaccum, but hadn't heard about modulator valve. Thanks.

Hey, how do you like your 95 300E? I'm looking for a newer one, but keeping my 83. Just looking at this point, but want a reliable one. Someone else has a 95 320E and likes it.

i have the exact problem with my 300D turbo. i have 310K miles on mine automatic and i have the same feeling. you press the gas and hear the engine struggle like it is saying "upshift, upshift" and then when you let off the gas yu feel a gigantic kick, worse when cold. it is like a standard w/out a clutch pedal. It is defintiely the vacuum system and i dont know much about it either. it has something with that blue round component on the right of the engine with all those hoses coming out of it. i would really like to fix that too!

I had this problem on my '82 240D. It drove me crazy. I finally replaced the unit on top of the valve cover that contains two vaccum switches. I believe they are called vaccum cross-over or vacuum transition switches. They were very worn out AND very easy to replace. I also checked the vacuum unit on the transmission which also needed to be replaced.

Finally I did a trans service (replaced the trans filter, fluid and gasket) and it ran like a champ. I was amazed actually how well it shifted.

My 2 cents.

Jeff

haasman
Forgot about those two vacuum switches on top of the valve cover. your right if they are bad it can be the problem. Also like you said changing filter and fluid. Don't forget to drain torque converter.

cclem83mb
Had several 240's before the 95 e300. Gave the last one away with 330K. But to the point I bought the 95 not realizing it was a one and only year for non turbo. love the car mpgs 30-35. never been below 30. power more than I need, handling great. starting in cold far superior to the old ones. bought it on ebay, feels and drives like it will last.

__________________
Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

Thanks, I'll keep the '95 300E in mind while shopping. I have often wondered how buying on ebay would work... shipping...obviously NOT. Do you shop regionally, or do you have to travel to pick up your car? Can you enlighten me on that? My nephew bought a small 4 cylinder truck on ebay and ended up paying a lot more in repairs. I mainly just wondered how I would get it or if I sold one, how they would get it. I'm glad it worked out for you. I thought I would just do an auto search for dealers who had something similar, within a 200 miles radius, but that would not include private owners. I am not in a hurry, so I have time to fool around with it. Try different things. If you don't mind, let me know...Thanks.

I noticed on Ebay that there are vehicle verification companies often time linked on the vehicle selling pages. I understand they are quite thorough and are well worth the $100 you would spend. They look all over the car and give you a written report.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff,
that's good to know. Still wondering about transporting.

Your problem is undoubtably in the vacuum control system. It is very likely that all you need is an adjustment. I just wrote an article on this subject that is in this months "Import Car" magazine. While the article covers many years and models of diesel transmission, the theory of operation is similar.

Before doing the adjustment the proper vacuum must be available and a working knowledge is handy. The article can be seen at: http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic20242.html

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thanks Steve,
I've printed out your article. I'm sure it will help a lot.
Appreciate it......Chris

Chris
There are a lot of transportation co. out there that are reasonably priced.
If you really buy on ebay research the seller . Plane tickets are cheap fly out look and buy or look and leave. Where is upstate NY?

__________________
Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

I'm 40 miles east of Syracuse, and about 140 miles west of Albany. Probably close to 200 miles from you. If I found something within 200-250 miles from me, I would drive. I just drove to Albany on sunday and again on wednesday. I have looked in the NYC metropolitan area (using the Internet) and they seem to have many MB's in that area. It will be a while before I can SERIOUSLY look, probably next year. In the meantime, I am going to fix up the 83. I just wondered about Ebay because the items listed can be from anywhere. Can you limit your search on Ebay to a certain region or do you have to check each item for the region they are in? Just curious.
Thanks for your response.........Chris

Saw a MB E320 yesterday on my way to Albany. Don't know what year, but it was sharp!! May have been a newer model than a 95. Had Old style round headlights that slant like a Jaguar.
Nice looking car!!!!