Hello again,
I'm here to pick your brains once more. Went back with the wife-to-be and drove the 300D again. Let her drive it. There is definitely a good air leak on the driver side. Sitting on the passenger side it is much quieter. I take it door weatherstripping is readily available? I hope.... The other question is, and it's a big one, as I mentioned before the transmission seems to shift short, or early. The gear changes are crisp, 1-2 happens very soon after you start moving, followed quickly by 2-3. The 3-4 shift seems slightly delayed compared to the earlier gear changes, but does not feel "wrong" in any way. When slowing from 65mph to @ 20mph and then trying to accelerate again the transmission didn't seem to want to downshift, even with heavy throttle. I wasn't driving and didn't attempt to duplicate this again. I figured she wasn't fully into the pedal. Is this sort of behavior any indication of transmission trouble? As I said before, the fluid is clean and doesn't smell burnt. My only experience with automatics and diesels is with GM vehicles. This behavior in a GM 4speed auto would usually indicate a misadjusted TV cable. Any idea how the MB transmissions are controlled? Lastly, what should the rpm be at @70mph? I believe I saw 32-3300rpm which seems a little high to me, but then I am new to MB's..... Thanks again for the help, this is a great site! RT

RT,

I have not had my diesel for to long... but I too shift between 1-2 at ~10 mph... for the rest of the shifts, there are little dots on the speedometer (., .., ...) this is where I make my other changes. I believe this is what the mfr. intended to be used to increase fuel economy. Of course, if I am on the border when downshifting... I take the higher gear so the engine doesn't pull as much. This is very much unlike my Toyota where you can really shift anywhere (it will just groan if you made a mistake).

SB

Hello SB,
Is your 240 by any chance a manual transmission? I kinda get that feeling..... I'm talking about an automatic! Believe me, if I could shift it myself, I would! That said, if I end up with this car it will be the first auto I have owned in many years. RT

Door seals are available. 3300 rpm @ 70mph sounds right. These cars were meant for a time when speed limits were 55mph. The shift points can be adjusted, you have to play with the bowden cable setting (do a search on the topic, it sounds easy to do). Shift quailty (hard or soft) is controlled by vacuum. My trans hates to downshift below 20mph unless i floor it. There is a kickdown switch. The car you're looking at starts in first gear, which is a good thing. I have driven later models which start in 2nd, too slow off the line. From what you have written, it does not look like the trans has any problems.

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2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel - 4x4, auto, 3.54 gears, long bed
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'92 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel - sold
'83 300D Turbodiesel - 4 speed manual/2.88 diff - sold
'87 300D Turbodiesel - sold
'82 300D Turbodiesel - sold

My '85 300D does about 3,000 rpm @ 70mph. My tranny doesn't shift at the "dots" on the gauge. It shifts earlier but everything seems to be and feel fine.

I love it!

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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

Hello,
Your shift patterns sound very normal, the 1st-2nd is always the most harsh! The 3rd-4th always seems the most fluid and delayed.
THOSE DOTS ARE NOT the points at which your car should be shifting at unless you have a heavy foot. Those are the MAX. speed at which your transmission should change. Get an open road with no traffic and floor it! And i mean floor it to 80 MPH! If your tranny is working right it will shift when the speedometer reaches the markers, and your MAX RPMS doing this will be 4400 i beleive.
Your RPMS are about the same as mine @70 MPH. Remember: There were 2 different axle ratio offered these years. Best of luck!

Thanks jeepboy!

I figured it hadda' be something else! I noticed last night as I was driving that if those indeed were my shift points, my LAST shift point should be when I am doin about 77mph.

My car shifts way before then on all the changes. I haven't gotten out yet and floored it to see the changes at the points on the speedo. I guess I'm just a conservative and will just believe that that is the case. It runs great and shifts great. At 280K, I'm happy to just let it be.

Thanks for the info, tho.

__________________
Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)