C250D: 1st Gear no power uphill

[francis]

I have a C250 D Euro. My Tranny is a 722.4.

I recently changed my k1 kit for the 2-3 flare and all is well already.

My problem is when I go up a ramp with 5 people the car halts already and my RPM is 1200. Wont go up anymore. When I switch off the AC it help inching a bit but will not climp.

I tried to simulate load on level road. I step on the brakes, shift to D and step on the accelerator pedal = same thing it just goes until 1200 rpm. I shift to "2" same thing.

When I put it to neutral though and rev the engine I reach almost redline. So engine has power.

When on level road on the highway the car has alot of power and can reach 80-120kms easily.

Fuel sytem is clean already. Does this engine have an ALDA? my engine is a 605.911 non turbo. When the ALDA does not work, does it only affect when there is LOAD on the car?

Someone also said that this could be the Valve Body. I have no problems with upshift/downshift even when going up a ramp on 2,3 and 4th gear. The only problem is if you start from STOP and go up a ramp slowly on 1st gear.


Thanks for a help!


Francis

[t walgamuth]

are you sure you are actually getting first gear?

tom w

[iNeon]

ohh! GOOD QUESTION!

Shlomo does this too!

It seems like the engine just gets absolutely no fuel and the car just crawwwwwwwwls up a hill, but *only* if you fully stop on a fairly steep incline. It slows down so much sometimes, that if I have to cross traffic and go when no cars are in sight-- I almost get hit by people on both sides. It could take a good 20-30 seconds to 'ramp up' to a full roll.

So much so, that I have found every alternate route to every destination traveled, *without* stops facing up a hill. Hard to do in Alabama..

I know my car engages 1st because I can feel the little thump when it does. It has stopped that 1st gear funniness, by the way. Cleared up on its own, apparently.

The linkages are fine on mine, but the initial poster may wish to check that his are adjusted?

[compress ignite]

Francis,

How New/Clean are your fuel filters?

[P.E.Haiges]

Compress,

There might be an air leak in the fuel line from the tank. As the engine gets higher above the tank, it takes more suction to get the fuel to the engine and more air will leak into the fuel line.

Full the fuel tank all the way and try accelerating up hill. Also look under the car for any fuel leaks in the fuel line. Having the tank full will cause any leaks to leak more and easier to find.

Just because the engine revs up in nuetral, doesn't mean it has a lot of power. It takes very little power to rev up an engine under no load.

P E H

[francis]

Thanks for the reply!

I have checked the linkages and they are OK. No leaks on the fuel lines too. Filters are just 2 days old and I also had the tank cleaned.

The pre-filter is clear and no dirt at all.

One thing about knowing if it is on 1st gear. When I put it on Drive what gear does this 722.4 start on? 1st or Second? When you start the car from Drive and "2" is it the same thing? Or "2" engages the 1st gear? Coz' when I move the shifter from Drive to "2" I dont feel any difference.

If I am just on 2nd Gear going uphill from a dead stop, this will definitely explain the no power.

How do I troubleshoot that my car is only using 2nd Gear from Drive and does not want to downshift to 1st gear when on load?

I have no problems downshifting from 4-3, 3-2. The Kickdown works well, I have also adjusted the cable to the tranny that when going uphill from say 4th or 3rd it will downshift automatically without pressing on the kickdown.