I have been reading a lot about the vac/shifting probs, and mine seems to be lots of them...just looking for opinions - 1981 300TD wagon 250K+?. rough 1 to 2, and it likes to stay in 3rd. It flares when I press the accellerator after coasting, like going down a hill. meaning, if I were to go up another hill - the car would actually not be in gear when I press the pedal. It flares and the only way to get it back in gear is to take my foot off entirely for a few seconds and then slam it. Not very conducive for healthy engine or gears. And the last thing which may be nothing is that it seems the downshift is clunky when breaking and just about stopped - kinda clunks into low gear. There is a known leak in one of the vacuum seals or hoses in one of the rear doors. So - i'll appreciate any opinions about whether this sounds like vac system or the tranny itself.

I just got the car and I love it. So whatever is wrong i'll fix. I like it better than my 1994 toyota pickup that I just got rid of. 8 years of no back seat.

Thanks for your attention...
Pato

Down shifts clunks and flair shifting is a vacuum related problem; fix the entire vacuum system first. It also sounds like the transmission is low on fluid; it may be time for a transmission service.

Why indeed...i checked that (today is day 3 of owning the car) and it is indeed low. But I dont know what kind it needs because it has no manual. I think Dexron II atf...but they didnt have that in the store...only III. are they compatible?

I am prety sure that both of those ar ethe problems. I hope there are no leaks and that is why it is low on fluid. The fluid looks new and doesnt smell. I have been looking for posts about the fluid type, but havent found one yet...

You can use any good dexron III / macron fluid such as Castrol, Pennzoil, valvoline, Exxon. You should change the filter and drain the torque converter. You probably have a leak.

Let me make sure I understand you...you say change the filter and drain the torque converter and that will possibly fix the leak - or were you telling me to do those things in addition to the fact that I have a leak somewhere that needs fixing.

I might add that I am having flare and staying in 3rd to long problems which are partly a vac system thing. Lots of connected probs with lots of solutions.

Thanks for your help

I forgot which post I was in...this is the one about the problem...I posted another just to find the good brand of fluid. I'll get the hang of this forum soon.