When I got my car I had the valves adjusted, after that it seemed like it didn't have the same crisp feel in the engine as before and I'm getting some black smoke at take offs/ accelerations and start up.. Recently I replaced the transmission vaccum valve levers, mine were worn out, now it shifts early. It use to shift on the dots now it is before. Also 1-2 bangs hard, 2-3 always did. I changed the fluid/ filter the week before the levers I am thinking of adjusting the rack damper bolt for the smoking. Any suggestions? Thanks!

First a big welcome aboard.

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Jim

Hey! I worked on the air base down there in '97! Some neat stuff down that way! Thanks!

How many miles? If at/near 180k then suspect it needs injector pump timing to compensate stretch. Adjusting IP timing you will see the smoke go from black to blue, trick is to set it right with no smoke at all. If 225k+ then suspect it needs a new timing chain and tensioner too. Sorry caint help with auto tranny, i know nothing of them.

125000+ miles and climbing! I did adjust the rack damper bolt a little and it seems a little smoother. New motor mounts should really help that. I will check on the adjustments mentioned, are they pretty much straight forward as a DIY? Thanks.

What kind of car do you have? I had hard shifts from 1-2 and a very early 2-3 shift in my 84 300D. I fixed the vacuum system and all is better, though it might be shifting a little early in all gears. Adjustment of the bowden cable can help that I am told.

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Jackson

1984 300d 223k
1994 Jeep Cherokee 2.5L 88k

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