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.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Chuck

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

haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

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

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

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



Joe

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Project Smoker, '87 603 powered wagon
Hauler, 96 CTD can you say torque?
Toy 73 Cougar xr7 convertible
Acme Automotive Inc.
Raleigh NC
919-881-0364

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.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe