Over the last 3 months, I've noticed on initial startup in the morning that the transmission is slipping, I believe while in 2nd (could be 3rd), on my 84 300SD with 250,000 miles. The car is in central Texas with mornings temperatures 40-55F. This has occurred about 3 times over this timeframe. It is only momentary and like the title states, is very intermittent.

Again, while in 2nd (or 3rd), I notice a loss of acceleration and the engine revs up to 4000, I let off the accelerator, gingerly reapply more accelerator pedal, and the transmission catches and all is well for the rest of the day (and for that matter, for weeks). This occurs within a few blocks of leaving the house.

Otherwise, the rest of the time the transmission shifts fine through all the gears, with no flaring or hard shifts. I do notice that sometimes when the transmission downshifts from 2nd to 1st on hard acceleration, it does so abruptly to the point of chirping the tires. The transmission fluid is red and has no burned odor, and is at the correct level. When shifted into reverse, it takes about 1 1/2 seconds for the transmission to engage. The fluid probably has not been changed in 35000 miles though.

All the vacuum lines under the hood appear intact with none disconnected. All door locks work properly, and the engine shuts off promptly. There does appear to be some oil leaking from around the vacuum pump leaving a drop or 2 on the driveway every morning (Just adding this info, not knowing if it could be related).

__________________
Rob
'84 300SD 258K
'85 300D (sold)