I'm looking at a used 300SD that has a trans slip from 1-2nd. I've done a pretty extensive search through posts on trans slipping and seen quite a bit on the 2-3 slip, how to adjust/replace the valve, check for excess fluid, run TransX through, etc. My question is although the 2-3 seems relatively common and is usually correctable or compensatable through the valve adjustments or the other steps mentioned above, do the same principals apply for a 1st-2nd slip or does that usually indicate a more serious issue?

Thanks,
Ray Ackley

Whoops! Looks like I got the problem description wrong. It's actually "a slip in the transmission going into first gear" which sounds like that spring in the trans is going bad. That sound probable?

Thanks,
Ray

Slip vs flair?

as I understand, a slip is when the transmission slips (engine rpms climb, car speed stays the same)

A flair happens while the transmission is shifting.

My car has a flair between 3-4. It used to worry me, but no any more. adjusted the modulator valve. pulled the vacume line off the modulater and presto, hard shifts almost all the time. Most of what I needed was found doing a search..... Modulator valve, or trans adjustment

plenty of information on this topic.
Oh and a fluid/filter change MAY help, wont cure it but...

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

Used slightly different verbage in the search and dug this one up...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=6755&highlight=1st+slip

"Good chance for a simple problem here; you probably have a bad seal or broken piston on the B1 band. It can be removed from the outside and MB has redesigned the piston so a complete assy should be installed (it has a much broader teflon seal)."

"I knew I had something a little wrong here. The problem is right but the band is actually B2. The piston # is 107 270 04 32. It lists for $89."

In addition to the normal vacuum adjustments and whatnot, it seems like that would be the next culprit. This forum is quite nice! Much better than the useless VW forums! "Dubs are kool d00d" seems to summarize most VW posts I still think the Miata forums are the best though.

Thanks,
Ray Ackley

Does that accuratly describe YOUR car? If you are still considering buying it, take into account that you may have some time into the troubleshooting of the transmission. adjust your offer accordingly.

I got my TD for $500 because the tranny sliped between 3-4, and the car needed work, the previous owner wanted 900..

Transmission is still going, actually running better now than it was 2000 miles ago. My solution was to pull the vacume line off the modulator valve, and adjust the line pressure up a bit. it shifts hard, but it does not slip much any more. good enough for the winter months in my book. and has the trans filter and fluid been changed??? lot easier to do that than change valves and such, try and start from the simple stuff first.

good luck

__________________
46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

My transmission rarely goes into first. usually starts in second, which is considered common, or normal on these cars as I understand it. how does yours run in the 2-3-4 shifts and driving?

__________________
46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver