I've posted and rec'd great feedback on a blocked exhaust that caused one of my manifolds to glow super red (72 280se V8). Thanks for your help.

Now the engine runs well but the transmision requires a lot of muscle to shift. (I'm saving for having the brake lines replaced -- one of the rear lines is unconnected and since I'm a novice at all this I'm not too comfortable with working on this reasonably vital element of the car functioning -- so I only know it goes in reverse up my inclined driveway.)

Will simply running the car loosen up the transmission? The transmission fluid looks great. Are there any fixes you can suggest?

Also. the accelerator cable sticks. What is the best spray to remedy the problem?

Thanks for your help.

If you are on an incline and the car is holding on the park pawl inside the tranny, it will be very stiff coming out of park. Stiffness otherwise would indicate a need to take the linkage apart and lubricate it. The ball fittings snap off the rods, use some antiseize of white grease and reassemble.

The bushings in the steering column can go bad and cause the tube to bind, too, this is more trouble to replace.

Wait until you can get it on level ground before you mess about with the linkage -- I have terrible visions of the car rolling with you under it!

Fix the brake lines pronto -- you need an 11mm line wrench (not in the usual sets, but the way) and a 14/15mm one. DO NOT use regular wrenches, you will always flatten the hollow bolt slightly so that the wrench won't fit on some of the six sides. Big pain.

Use some penetrating oil on the fittings after blowing all the dirt out with compressed air if you have it -- makes them come apart easier. None of the ones on the 280 SE were stuck, but I've had real problems on the 220D.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

On an incline like that I try to use the parking brake as much as I can and then put it in P.
Otherwise yes it's pretty scary to take it out of P.

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe