1976 240D no reverse

[Toxophilite]

Hi there
I'm looking at a 76 240 D W115 I think
It's in Okay shape
The owner said he was last driving it last october and when he went to give it a whir before selling it reverse wasn't working.
Any ideas?
Does this car have the reverse band adjuster bolt?

[Toxophilite]

Nobody out there with any 115.117 auto transmission experience???

[sleepstar]

whats the trans #? is it 722.1xx? the 722.120 has a reverse bolt that backs itself out, if you tighten back down reverse will return. thats not your transmission, but maybe all 722.1 have the reverse adjusting bolt

[Skippy]

Factory manual transmission 240D's exist. There's no reason to buy an automatic one unless it's a parts car or a pristine manual swap candidate.

[Toxophilite]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the gist of Skippy's email is that he has a preference for manual transmission 240Ds

[socalbenz]

I have heard alot of people prefer the manual tranny. Some of that is because the auto robs power from a already underpowered car. My current w114 (72 250) has an auto and it seams OK to me. Granted the gas engine 114 has a little more power (still not a fast car). I needed to replace the linkage bushings and adjust the reverse band to get it shifting properly, but it seams to work well and those parts only cost a few bucks. The Mercedes autos of that generation 114/115 adjust the shift with a vacuum system. The more right pedal you use the more vacuum and the firmer the shift. Use less gas pedal and it shifts sooner and more smoothly. That is oversimplified of course. Vacuum leaks are common on old cars and it becomes one more thing to go wrong. In general I think the autos require more maintenance than the manuals. The reverse band can only be adjusted so much. Typically they are slow to shift into reverse, perhaps a 2 to 5 second delay before engaging the reverse gear. This can be adjusted several times and then no more. If the car does not shift into reverse at all it may be at the end of the adjustment. If you are buying the car I would assume it is shot and adjust the price down appropriatly. You might be lucky and be able to adjust it back into spec, but I would not bet on it.

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by Toxophilite

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the gist of Skippy's email is that he has a preference for manual transmission 240Ds

Well, to be more specific I prefer a manual transmission in all vehicles, at all times, and in all driving conditions. But yeah, the stick really helps out a lot in a 240.

[t walgamuth]

I am not much good with diagnosing anything with an automatic. If you give up on repairing it.....

I happen to have an excellent Automatic from a 74 240d in my garage. I can explain why I have it if you like. Its a long story, but I will give the same guarantee as a salvage yard on it and sell it reasonably. It is listed here for sale.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Skippy

Factory manual transmission 240D's exist. There's no reason to buy an automatic one unless it's a parts car or a pristine manual swap candidate.

The only trouble with the internet is you get opinions along with advice....sometimes you just get the opinions.....

[Govert]

Originally Posted by socalbenz

I have heard alot of people prefer the manual tranny. Some of that is because the auto robs power from a already underpowered car. My current w114 (72 250) has an auto and it seams OK to me. Granted the gas engine 114 has a little more power (still not a fast car). I needed to replace the linkage bushings and adjust the reverse band to get it shifting properly, but it seams to work well and those parts only cost a few bucks. The Mercedes autos of that generation 114/115 adjust the shift with a vacuum system. The more right pedal you use the more vacuum and the firmer the shift. Use less gas pedal and it shifts sooner and more smoothly. That is oversimplified of course. Vacuum leaks are common on old cars and it becomes one more thing to go wrong. In general I think the autos require more maintenance than the manuals. The reverse band can only be adjusted so much. Typically they are slow to shift into reverse, perhaps a 2 to 5 second delay before engaging the reverse gear. This can be adjusted several times and then no more. If the car does not shift into reverse at all it may be at the end of the adjustment. If you are buying the car I would assume it is shot and adjust the price down appropriatly. You might be lucky and be able to adjust it back into spec, but I would not bet on it.

The diesels use only a rod, no vacuum. See below indicated by the red dots:

[Toxophilite]

Well I'm not a big fan of opinions unless they're fried well in butter and hidden in a pasta..or is that onions??
I don't I enjoy either of them raw..or even half-baked

I learned on a stick and enjoy the fun race car sort of feeling they have
I also like automatics, especially when stuck in stop and go traffic
Also it's really hard to play guitar and drive a stick shift
I've heard about the auto 240Ds
I also fixed this one ..perhaps foolishly... and I haven't even bought it yet

Out of curiousity why would one rattle a lot when running Not the deisel knock but more of an underside of the front of the car sort of higher rattle? exhaust? I think it was mostly when moving

[sleepstar]

Originally Posted by Toxophilite

Well I'm not a big fan of opinions unless they're fried well in butter and hidden in a pasta..or is that onions??
I don't I enjoy either of them raw..or even half-baked

I learned on a stick and enjoy the fun race car sort of feeling they have
I also like automatics, especially when stuck in stop and go traffic
Also it's really hard to play guitar and drive a stick shift
I've heard about the auto 240Ds
I also fixed this one ..perhaps foolishly... and I haven't even bought it yet

Out of curiousity why would one rattle a lot when running Not the deisel knock but more of an underside of the front of the car sort of higher rattle? exhaust? I think it was mostly when moving

loose air cleaner?