OK, this thread is taking yet another turn. I've got the engine running well enough, and if I can get the car moving (starting even slightly downhill), and build up RPM's, it goes like heck, shifting through gears just fine. But on a slight incline, the damn thing just will not move--RPM's will pick up slightly, but just no power. I'm starting to think that this is no longer an engine issue, but a tranny problem.

Now, this thing has always been a slug when starting off from a stop, or starting on an incline, but now it simply feels like it's trying to start off in 2d gear. Yes, I have read the posts about 1st gear/2d gear starts, and understand that this vehicle SHOULD start in 1st. My (first) question is, can a poorly adjusted Bowden cable cause this? And if I tighten it, thus raising the RPM's at which the tranny shifts, should that help? Help?

Patrick Skelley
Bedford, Virginia
1970 Unimog 406
1972 350SL 4.5
1972 300SEL 6.3
1978 240GD
1979 300GD
1987 300TD

Now your symptoms--turbo car that goes at speed but is weak down low--point to an ALDA problem. I think the easiest way to "test" it is to (temporarily!) remove it.

Leave the transmission alone, for now. One can o'worms at a time, young Skywalker.

__________________
James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

Ah, and we have come full circle Obi Wan, as we started this thread with an ALDA discussion. Points well taken, I'll leave the tranny be, and I'll yank the ALDA (again) and report back.

That's an opinion thing, I adjust mine so that I still have overboost-protection and altitude compensation.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Reading only your last post, I suggest to remove the plug on the #1 exhaust runner (it's gonna be loud!). If performance improves, the oxidation catalyst by the transmission might be clogged. Also try pinching the return line to the fuel tank. The IP check valve can stick open allowing fuel to bypass the delivery valves. This latter event shouldn't affect mpg, though.

Sixto
87 300D

Check your gas tank vent is not clogged. Loosen gas cap and hopefully no vaccum

Wow.this is turning into a quite a "How to troubleshoot anything thread". Good luck skelly. Hope you find out what it is. Your putting so much work into this. Did u run grease on your last trip? I m guessing your not until u get this thing straight. Good idea. Thanks for Keeping us posted.

__________________
What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius