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  #1  
Old 01-02-2004, 08:48 PM
Thunderbubble
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Smile 280se 3.5 v8 Automatic Gearbox Problem

Hi all

I am a new Classic Mercedes Owner, having just bought a 1971 280se 3.5, it has developed a slight problem, when setting off from standstill the gearbox 'slips' slightly, but not always, feeling a little like wheelspin...

Does anyone have any idea what the problem is, seems very strong in all other gears, just the setting off from standstill, its not major, and if i start real slow it seems to be ok most of the time, the car is a 4 spd Automatic, any help would be great

The car is a real gem, and I could post some pics id anyone would like to see her...

Regards
Steaven

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  #2  
Old 01-03-2004, 01:29 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 49
Gidday Steaven

Love to see some pics - as I am a 3.5 owner as well. As to your problem, I can't help too much, though I have transmission problems as well with flairing, most obvious when I kick down at 40 mph and can spin the tyres with the delayed response from the trans as the revs build!

Mine needs some of the bands replaced which means a rebuild unfortunately , though your problem sounds far less "expensive" I would guess.

Good luck with the issue you mention - and we'd love to see some pics of your car.

Kind regards

Richard
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  #3  
Old 01-03-2004, 10:59 AM
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Location: Evansville, Indiana
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Check the linkage for correct adjustment and the kickdown switch and solenoid -- if I remember correctly, the 4-speed starts off in 2nd unless you floor it, when it will imediately downshift to first. If the solenoid is sticking part way, it may be momentarily dropping into first then instantly upshifting to 2nd again.

If you have the 2-position solenoid, the throttle switch is out of adjustment.

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!
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  #4  
Old 01-03-2004, 04:55 PM
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Sounds like a band problem to me. I don't remember how the servo is on that trans but it might just need a new seal on the servo piston.
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  #5  
Old 01-04-2004, 06:41 PM
Thunderbubble
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Thanks for your input guys...

Athough I'm not too sure what a 'band' is, I am new to classic cars and feel I have much to learn, but I don't mind getting my hands dirty...

I think this car does indeed set off in 2nd gear, and this is the problem area, and although not a constant problem, has left me starring wide-eyed at fast oncoming traffic on occasion when i've pulled out from a junction, it also seems to get worse when setting off uphill and when the engine has warmed properly.

I also have a couple of other problems that some of you might know the faults to.

1. After driving the car for 10-20 minutes, the steering starts to make a 'creeking' sound when turned either way, sounds like its coming from under the passenger footwell (This is a uk RHD car), sounds like a 'groan' as if somethings rubbing underneath, anyone any ideas?

2. When the engine is warm and had been stopped, it is slightly more reluctant to start, and when it does, sounds slightly rough, and maybe not firing on all 8 cylinders, although once underway, smoothes itself out... this can be quite tricky to set off, and on occasion has stalled.

Sorry for my total no knowledge guys, and any help will be great, oh and here's a pic of 'Jade' I promised

Best Regards
Steaven
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280se 3.5 v8 Automatic Gearbox Problem-near-side.jpg  
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  #6  
Old 01-04-2004, 07:01 PM
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Location: Evansville, Indiana
Posts: 8,150
The groan is dry kingpins or bad tie rod or other steering joints. Grease the front end (14 grease "zerks") with some good synthetic grease and see if that helps. Also, jack it up and check the steering linkage for torn boots, etc and play. Nothing lasts forever, and everything under there is 30+ years old unless already replaced. Check the idler arm (passenger side) for up and down play as well, the bushings can go bad.

Starting and running problems can be a number of things, but I would first check the condition of the plugs, wires, cap, rotor and points -- renew any that are very old or show signs of wear or corrosion.

Next, I would investigate for vacuum leaks -- around the injectors, the seals between the manifold halves and accessories like door locks and vacuum engine controls (you may not have the latter).

Then check valve clearances and timing chain stretch.

For the tranny problem, are you actually getting slippage, or you do simpley have an engine performance problem (no power with throttle open)? If slippage, at the very least a band adjust is in order (the bands are the clutches in the transmission that wrap around a gear drum to clamp it, chaning gears). First gear runaway along with very slow engagement of reverse is a clue that the band is worn and taking too long to apply. Some adjustment is possible, but if very bad, tranny rebuild time.

Peter
__________________
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!
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  #7  
Old 01-08-2004, 12:34 PM
Thunderbubble
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Hi again all...

Thanks all for your great advice

Having now had the car for nearly a week, alot of things have surfaced themselves

I was under the bonnet (hood) replacing the spark plugs, and i was starting the engine after each plug was replaced, and I noticed fuel spraying out of the top of one of the injectors, where the metal fuel pipe goes into the top of the injector rubber, but on inspection it only does this occasionally, not all the time, which has me baffled as to why? you would have thought that if the seal or whatever is in the injector had gone bad, that it would leak all the time... but it doesn't, can i assume this is whats causing the missfire all the time?

Can i also say, that this car has done 79,000 miles, and only 10 of those in the past 15 years... would i be right in suggesting that because of the sudden use (300 miles) all these things are showing up?

I went to a merc dealer this morning for them to have a look, but as usual it wasn't leaking at the time, I priced up 8 new injectors and with fitting the bill would be 1000 GBP ( 1600 USD!)

Surely I could get them cheaper than this...?

even though I have these problems, the motor is sweet as a nut when running correctly, and I really enjoy driving her... makes modern cars feel real cheap indeed.

Any advice would be great, and thanks again, especially to psfred for his informative info

Here's another pic of Jade

Best Regards
Steaven
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  #8  
Old 01-08-2004, 12:36 PM
Thunderbubble
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...and another
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  #9  
Old 01-08-2004, 12:39 PM
Thunderbubble
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and some more...
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  #10  
Old 01-08-2004, 12:41 PM
Thunderbubble
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now for an 'arty' one
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  #11  
Old 01-08-2004, 01:57 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Diego
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Thunder, that is one very sweet looking car! If the body is as solid as it looks, it must have been stored in a garage for most of its life,especially for a UK car!

I don't know how "common" are Benzos in your neck of the woods for you to find a reputable repair house to do the tranny repair OTHER THAN an MB dealer. Over my side of the globe anything dealer wise is going to cost lots of $$$.

I had a similar problem with my '70 280s, slipping and such. Was going to have a mechanic friend fix it for me but he insisted on having ME do it myself. Well, with his coaching (and his shop) I took it apart, found a couple of parts worn or broken, got replacement parts from a tranny "wrecking" shop, cleaned it all up (cleaning being vital to a successful tranny job!) and assembled it myself. This was aver 3 years ago and it still spins like a top!

You mentioned not minding to get your "hands dirty" so I threw that story in. However, I do just about any job needed in any of my cars but like the "great one" siad, "a man needs to know his limitations." I learned why they charge so much for that job!

Last edited by pyrOman; 01-08-2004 at 02:21 PM.
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  #12  
Old 01-08-2004, 02:18 PM
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Reverse band is adjustable. The other two are NOT!
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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician
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  #13  
Old 01-13-2004, 04:59 PM
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Adjusting Bands

This thread applies to my automatic transmission and my Hanyes manual doesn't show how to adjust the bands.

Where can I find that info?

Thanks, Richard

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