AHHHHHH!!! my 87 Wagon transmission problems!
 

ok, I'm heading back from a 50 mile trek, so nearly 100 miles round trip with the A/C on, driving along on the highway about 80mph, and my RPM shoots up, and I coast down to 60/50/40... about 4K at 40mph... get to a stop, and shift into p then back to drive, and it shifts normally up to 60 or so, then lets go again, and I'm back to 40... I trundle the 1.5 miles to my exit, pull into a gas station, and check fluid, it's a little low, I check the coolant, also a little low... nothing to indicate the problem...
I'd think clutches, but it shifts normally, but will not go into 4th. I get 1, 2, 3, and it holds... when cold I get 4, up until it warms up, then it pops int neutral, and holds 3 when I slow to 55...

what's up?

I just put in an order to Phil for a cooling hoses to tail shaft seal rebuild kit, with all superseded updates to the transmission, (it's leaked a little fluid constantly since I got the car) but I fear this will not solve the issue. the fact that it holds 3, makes me think VB issues, not clutch problems...

Exactly what my 87TD did
 

This is exactly what mine has done since i got it. I bought it in winter and had no issues. Then on hot long summer drive, bam , won't shift into fourth. Every now and then it would and I would just have to give it a reason to shift out of fourth. Winter and short drives runs fine. Mine leaks out the front shaft seal i think. Big puddle under the car always around torque converter and its not the drain plug.


Now , 2 or 3 years gone by and i've tried lots of trans x and additives and frequent changing of ATF. They all helped a little. Best thing that i thought i finally nabbed it was when i replaced the radiator. I noticed blowing through the trans cooler was a lot easier on the newer radiator. Maybe try a super tranny cooler.

My reverse is now almost completely out. I'm just waiting for a time to swap in my trans from the parts car . Its been shifting fine in all gears so far but its not hot yet.

What is VB?

VB = valve body? In Australia VB = Victoria Bitter ~ brand of beer !
Probably a little crud has found its way in there & every now ans a gain it blocks an orifice. PITA to find.

You are losing internal sealing of the K2 clutch pack..common issue!

Mine is also leaking around the front seal.
badly.
it went out again this morning, and I called my transmission guy to pick up the car, and rebuild it.
I'll tell them it's most likely the K2 clutch pack seal. thanks!

it certainly needs a new filter, and seals all around. it'll be good to have it gone through anyway.

vstech, & biopete Sorry to tell you but your clutches are clogging your filter & valve body,
Best of luck to you on the rebuild sir.
Just went through this whole proses with my car over winter.
SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David Lee Portland OR
87 300D
87 190E
84 230E Euro

I'm having issues with my trans too. It sometimes takes up to 3 seconds to go from 2nd to 3rd. Sometimes called a flare I guess. Other shift points are ok. Also, trans is making some racket - I think it might just be the bushings.

Would that be the infamous B2 piston?

no.
B2 takes out 1st and 2nd. your car will not move from park if the B2 goes out.

So that calls for a complete rebuild pretty much right -- clutches, valve body and whatever else they find?

VSTech, Where are you getting your seals and parts you need for the R&R? Does phil have them, and could you maybe share your list with me :)

Thanks.

What do you think then? Maybe a trip to the tranny guy for a filter and fresh fluid?

Gah, isn't a rebuild the expensive way to go? I see all those little parts and I get the willies.:confused:

I watched several videos on AT rebuilding. Decided right then and there there was no way in hell I'd even attempt that... get one thing wrong and you screw up the whole thing..... I agree x2 I get willies seeing all the little fiddly stuff in these things. Whoever designed the system though... I'dve like to have met them