New owner with some questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bart_dood · #1 04-21-2009, 01:37 PM

Hi folks,

I just bought a 1985 300D on friday with 208k miles on the clock, in very good condition.
It needs a few things that I am already goint to do on it, leaky return hoses, oil and filter changes for engine and power steering, new fuel filters, new rubber driveshaft couplings. I'll be doing a valve adjust too.

One thing I am not sure about, I checked the transmission fluid and it seems fairly new and clean. However when I go from park to drive or reverse, it is not very smooth when it first engages, it doesn't make a loud thunk or anything but I'd expect it to be smoother.

I'm guessing that the tranny fluid might not be the most ideal for this car and/or that the tranny filter is quite clogged?? If you could suggest some ATF that is suitable for the benz for a smoother driveline that I could purchase easily from autozone/pepboys/kragen I'd appreciate it.

My other question is regarding the tranny filter, my car is from california so it has all the different engine bits like air filter etc.

I read somewhere that even the tranny filter is different for californian cars, is this true? if so the filter I have on order might be the wrong one?

Thanks for your help!

Chris

bart_dood · #2 04-21-2009, 01:40 PM

Oh and I forgot one thing, do I check the transmission fluid level cold or hot?? if hot should it be at max on the dipstick?

TX76513 · #3 04-21-2009, 01:43 PM

WELCOME!
You will need to determine what transmission you have either the 722.315 or 722.416. Go HERE and enter you VIN number if you do not know. It a good idea to service your transmission if you don't know when it was last done. Rough/Hard shifts are a common problem usually associated with vacuum. You will get to know and love Mr. Vacuum if you keep your car for anytime. Use the forum search feature for terms like "bowden" "Kickdown cable" "AT Modulator" lot of stuff to read and become familiar with. Good Luck post some pictures so we can see what you have.

tobybul · #4 04-21-2009, 04:26 PM

Not sure how the CA versions are setup vacuum-wise other than having a trap oxidizer.

The Fed 85Ds have vacuum amplifiers (blue plastic that sits on the left wheel well) which virtually resolves much of the vac issues of prior year models - unless you have a leak - which as said above can cause weird tranny shifts.

I would probably check first if your system holds vacuum well.

charmalu · #5 04-22-2009, 11:58 AM

Chris, the question about you pan gasket, the calif is different than the federal. I had this same problem when I changed mine. ordered all the parts and the gasket was the wrong shape.

Called Phill and he sent me the right one.

go into All Parts Express (Buy Parts tab) and look up your yr. shows 2 sets, cali and fed.

Martinez, is that the Bay Area?

Charlie

bart_dood · #6 04-22-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Chris, the question about you pan gasket, the calif is different than the federal. I had this same problem when I changed mine. ordered all the parts and the gasket was the wrong shape.

Called Phill and he sent me the right one.

go into All Parts Express (Buy Parts tab) and look up your yr. shows 2 sets, cali and fed.

Martinez, is that the Bay Area?

Charlie

Darn, I probably have the wrong one on order. Nevermind, I'll get it right eventually...

I think its really stupid they made different cars for different states, really messes things up for people down the line like us.

Martinez is in the bay area, birthplace of joe dimaggio and the martini :O)

My engagement feeling could be due to something else worn or old in the drivetrain, are there any rubbers apart from the flex disc I should check and/or replace? When the car is in D, it shifts gears smoothly, its just when the tranny is engaging D or R etc that you feel it more than you should.

Diesel911 · #7 04-22-2009, 01:45 PM

Insuring and adjusting the Vacuum can result in smother shifts. However, another reason for shift problems is wear.
On some models of transmissions the Reverse Band in the transmission is adjustable from the outside (but there is a Shear Bolt you need to remove) on others you have to take apart the Transmission.
Good article on adjusting you transmission; but be patient as you have to read about 1/3 of the way through before you get to the interesting part:
http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic20242.html

tobybul · #8 04-22-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bart_dood

Darn, I probably have the wrong one on order. Nevermind, I'll get it right eventually...

I think its really stupid they made different cars for different states, really messes things up for people down the line like us.

Martinez is in the bay area, birthplace of joe dimaggio and the martini :O)

My engagement feeling could be due to something else worn or old in the drivetrain, are there any rubbers apart from the flex disc I should check and/or replace? When the car is in D, it shifts gears smoothly, its just when the tranny is engaging D or R etc that you feel it more than you should.

MB (and like other mfrs) made cars different for CA because of the emissions requirements of CA.