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Originally Posted by sarahsnot
im new to the MB world! i have just purchased a 82 300sd with 223k or so miles. im not sure if she is supposed to shift the way she does. from 1-2 she "kicks" into gear and she shifts mostly smooth after that but lateley she has been revving up a little higher than normal to shift. she also smokes a bit. the color of the smoke seems to be a bit blue. the oil hasnt really dropped im the 350 miles i have driven her. any suggestions?? im going to change the tranny fluid tomorrow hopefully that help thank all of you for replying Sarah   |
You have the typical vacuum leak/modulator/Bowden cable adjustment transmission problem. It is minor. Vacuum softens the shift, and is adjusted via the modulator valve on the side of the transmission. The Bowden cable on top of the engine controls the shift points. These two items have simply come out of adjustment, and/or you have some little rubber vacuum pieces to replace. They crack and leak vacuum over time at the connections.
If it were me, I would change the transmission fluid and filter, and change the oil with a good diesel-rated oil like Chevron Delo 400. You MUST use oil for diesels, and it really doesn't matter which one when it comes down to it just as long as it's CI-4 rated for diesels.
I would do those two things first before I drove it another foot.
Blue smoke usually means burning oil as you already know. If it's not burning any, it's not blue smoke, it's black. So- after you give it an oil change, you should adjust the valves. Don't know if you want to get into all that, indy mechanics or the dealer will do it for less than $200. You MUST adjust the valves. If you do not, and continue to run the car, you will do damage to the valves. So get it done somehow. It's a super easy DIY but you have to know how, and this forum's got you covered. Just search around.
After you perform these minor tasks, go out and run it on the highway up a long hill, wide open, to burn out some accumulated carbon. That might cure your smoking issue if you're sure it's not using oil. A diesel purge may also help alot.
What you have done by buying this car, is ensure a modicum of maintenance responsibility for yourself. I'm not talking extensive rehabilitation, but it ain't no Toyota. Still, it won't give you much trouble if you do the minimum to keep it up, and you do it on time.