The trans is getting very slow to go into reverse. Is this a sign of a worn clutch pack that takes time to fill or perhaps is leaking? The trans has 170K on it and pereforms fine otherwise. Am I in the window for a trans/converter, and if so, what $$$ amount should I expect to spend?

Send me a PM with your number. I know a place in town.

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

By "very slow" what do you mean? A couple seconds to go into R? Mine takes about 3. Drive engages right away. I always figured it was normal.

You do know the 91s have a different trans from the 90 models right?

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

There is about 4 seconds or longer before it goes into gear. I spoke with a person today that has 25 years of experience with these trans. and he told me that the reverse clutch was getting very thin (discs) or there could be broken springs. Either will require the trans to be removed. If I take it out with 170K, I will rebuild it.

you could try replacing the filter. Sounds like a fluid problem

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

Can also be a leaking piston. Hard to tell anything without checking pressures.

Let me know if you need a trans, I have a good working one from my '91.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I had this problem on my 400E. It would get progressively worse until I had no reverse at all. Forward gears were perfect. It turned out to be a ripped seal on the front pump.

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K