I have just recently started researching MBs due to my interest in convertion to biodiesel and/or WVO so please excuse the crude nature of this post.

I just test drove an '82 240D. The car is in great shape and has VERY well documented service records which include a used tranny with approx. 800k miles which was installed just over a month ago. The car itself has 213k. Other recent work includes new glow plugs, brake pads, rebuilt alternator, engine vacuum valves, shock absorbers and installed a block heater. Asking $1500 obo.

I have never driven a diesel before (with the exception of a dump truck. Long story) so I am not really very familiar with how they are supposed to feel. The problem with this car was when starting from a dead stop the car took a very long time to upshift (AT). It felt at times like I could have smashed on the gas pedal and driven it at 12000 RPMs until the engine blew. When I let off the gas it would take probably 3 seconds before it finally shifted.

My question is, does this sound like a transmission issue or maybe something more simple like a vacuum hose? Other? The guy indicated to me that he had the same issue even before he had a new tranny installed. He just got used to it and adjusted his driving habits accordingly. The car ran fine and cycled through the other gears ok once it was up to speed. I honestly don't think he was hiding anything from me. He told me amachanic told him as long as the transmission wasn't slipping he wouldn't worry about it. Unfortunately he was never told what the problem was.

Advice needed. My schedule probably will not allow me to get this car checked out by a mechanic before it is sold. He is only asking $1500 but think I could get it for $1200. Even if I take a chance and have to sink a few hundred bucks to have this problem fixed I think I will make out OK but if this sounds like something more severe I might have to pass.
Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations.

Sounds like a good deal....
If worse came to worst... the trans completely croaked on you... plenty of manual shift 240's around..... probably convert for $700 .....
Then you would have about the perfect car...
Or it will sure seem perfect after driving that Auto 240... LOL

I own a 1980 240d manual shift....

It's probably no big deal, loose vac hose or something needs to be adjusted. I would go for it if you felt everything else was ok.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

On the back of the injection pump is a vacuum control unit that gives the signal to the tranny to shift. If the car had the problem before the tranny change I would first look at all those vacuum hoses that are in the engine bay. Mercedes use vacuum a lot. Make sure the vacuum lines and connectors are sound. If he had to replace the tranny and he did not replace the vacuum control valve on the injection pump. The first bad tranny could have been caused by a bad vacuum control valve. Its a $168 unit at the dealer.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

A tranny with 800K miles? That could be a problem

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I bought one recently with the same problem. It turned out to be the vacuum switches on the top of the valve cover that were leaking. There is an easy way to test to see if the transmission is responding properly to the vacuum signals. Hook up a mighty vac to the vacuum line running to the transmission and set it at about 15" of vacuum then drive the car. The shifting should be very soft , almost slipping between gears. If it does this then the vacuum transducer at the tranny is working fine and you have to work your way back to those switches on the valve cover and check them. 90% of the time it is those which are at fault. Only one controls the transmission and the other controls the EGR valve but if either one is leaking the tranny will shift very hard. Those valves are not expensive...about $25 each.

You can also test the EGR system to see if it holds vacuum using the mightyvac. If it turns out that your EGR system doesn't hold vacuum just disconnect it and plug the port on the switch that goes to that system, it isn't working anyway and may be the cause of the vacuum leak.

Good luck!

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

D'oh! make that 80k.
Thank you all for the tips. I think I'm going to buy it. I'll be sure to post my findings. I can't wait to get rolling!

in what part of the country do you live???
you may be close to hands on assistance.

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Current money-pits:
96 Passat TDI
78 300D 100k miles(60miles/day)FOR SALE
91 Jetta Diesel 250k miles (80miles/day)
82 Toyota Diesel pickup 150k miles; out of service for a little while with a valve problem.
All on BelenBioDiesel
Past diesels:
01 Golf TDI
81 Isuzu P/U
85 Jetta
89 KW 425 cat
85 Pete 400 cat (currently still running the west coast with over 1.5 million miles)
81 KW 400 Cummins
77 Freightliner CO ???? Cummins (Buttercup)
57 180D lots of miles(gone but not forgotten)

Sixto, whats the difference between 80k or 800k? We all know there good for a million miles. Can hardly wait till I vend my first car on ebay. Best of luck with that car by the way. I enjoy driving the 240ds as well....My therapist recomended it and said it fits in well with his therapy for me to slow down. Also welcome to the site. Most the guys are sane and very helpful but unfortunatly you got a response from me....At least you had the prior dump truck driving experience to help you get oriented. I did not. From what I have observed on this site needed manipulation of the shift points is pretty common on mercedes automatics. Do a carful archives search for hopefully tons of information as I suspect there is not an easier car to work on out there. Best site I have ever seen relating to cars. Allow that I have led a sheltered life though. Again the best and welcome again.