Death Near for Transmission?
 

My 380SL's transmission has always had a very soft shift to 4th gear, with a pretty good flare especially when cold. In the last couple of weeks it has also developed another problem.

It occurs after the car has been driven a couple of miles. From a stop, the transmission appears to start in second, with a huge flare into third. If I pull it into "L" at a stop and start off, then it feels sort of like the brakes are on - very sluggish.

The shops in this area have one answer for transmission problems - "put in a rebuilt." I am wondering, however, if anyone has seen this problem and fixed it with an adjustment or a parts replacement that did not require pulling the transmission.

I recently did a complete drain, filter change, and fill with synthetic ATF hoping to improve the cold 3-4 shift. The guy who did it commented that there was a lot of clutch material in the pan.

TIA, as always.

Chuck

Does your trans have modulator valve that can be adjusted? How about your source of vacuum? Are you getting proper vacuum amount?

haasman

The modulator and vacuum were checked out as part of the service and declared to be OK. The modulator is about a year old.

Sounds more like a valvebody issue however, its probaly damaged the k2 pack by now.



Joe

A lot of clutch in the oil pan is the sign of a failing transmission. If the Trans oil smells brunt then it is time for a rebuilt.

No burnt smell to the fluid.

I have turned the car over to Don Pool's shop in Falls Church. Turns out, they are one of the few places in the area that will actually attempt a repair. Mercedes sells a rebuilt valve body for $340 which is about the only hope of salvaging the trans at this point.

Thanks for the suggestions - I will post the outcome.