E300TD 98,Trany flares at 2nd to 3rd - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

olpos · #1 06-04-2009, 04:03 PM

Just bought a 1998 E300TD,what a great car,anyways the trany flares on the first shift.when it does catch the trany works very well.RPM goes up about 400 rpm on that shift.If i back off the gas just before the shift it goes in gear and works perfect.
Just to say here what a great car,and much stronger than my 91 300CE.Great power and idles very smooth.Amazing car.
Oh car has 270k on oe motor ,trany.Always serviced at a MB shop with oe Mercedes parts
I thought black opal was dark green but this one is dark blue.Still very nice
Thanks
Rich

nhdoc · #2 06-04-2009, 04:07 PM

I'd first recommend you check the fluid level...you will need a special dipstick tool to do it or bring it to an indy shop or M-B dealer service department if you don't want to buy it. That's the #1 first thing to confirm when there are issues like you describe. Also, if you do not know when the last time the tranny was serviced, have it done...new fluid and filter using M-B stuff. Hopefully either low fluid or a fluid change will fix it. If not, prepare for some spending.

TMAllison · #3 06-04-2009, 05:08 PM

Fluid level check is def the first step.

I'm guessing something is worn internally as it adjusts shifts electronically, and if slipping must be beyond its ability to continue doing so.

turbodiesel · #4 06-04-2009, 06:43 PM

I had a 98 that did that.. drove it like that for 40k miles.. didn't get any worse. I'm pretty sure the internal clutches are worn.

olpos · #5 07-01-2009, 07:46 PM

Well to close off this thread ,I have decided to leave well enough alone.
The fluid was low,bout i quart,put that in and some trany medic.This was done in 3 or 4 stages so i could check for any progress. when i had it up to full the trany shifted a little better.small almost not noticable improvement.
On a trany with 270k miles changing fluid is not an option.Too many years as a mechanic has shown that a fluid change on a problem trany can make things much worse.Plus fluid does not smell burnt in the least.
These tranys seem to be all electronic so no vacuum modulator.Did not actually look.trany has a cover like the motor does.When trany does shift,one full second lift on accelerator and all is well,car runs very well.
So Thanks for all your help and what a great web site....

Thanks
Rich

P.S These newer turbo diesels run very strong,stronger than my 88 or 91 300ce coupes,almost as strong as the 93 300e i had.That car had a 3.2 motor with first gear start and newer f.i system.
Thanks everyone

nhdoc · #6 07-01-2009, 09:54 PM

I'd bet you have a leak at the electrical connector at the front right corner of the tranny if you were down a quart. The problem with shifting could be caused by that plug being saturated with fluid. The fix is to drain the fluid and replace the plug ($7). I wouldn't agree with your feelings about not wanting to change the fluid on it at this point but it is your car so do what you want...if it were mine I would change the fluid and filter and replace the plug if it was the source of the leak, but that's me.

TMAllison · #7 07-02-2009, 01:18 PM

You might also consider refilling using the backward compatible fluid made for the 722.9 trans; it supposedly has better friction modifiers. It is even avail aftermarket.

I used the first generation of that fluid in mine. Not much diff that I can see but, mine didn't have problems either.