97 e420 delay going into gear
 

I am looking at purchasing a 97 e420 that has 111,000 miles on it. It has a delay going in to gear from park (into reverse and drive) of about 1.5 seconds. It has had a full transmission service and still has the same behavior. Is this a problem or normal behavior. Please help as i am supposed to get on a plane tomorrow morning to go pick the car up. Thanks

Mason

That does sound unusual....I experienced the same thing on the electical valve body saturn used on the SL2 tansmissions... the tollerances were tight enough even a little varnish made them stick and therefore delay.(in as little as 40K miles)..it then hit hard when it engaged.... I don't know specifically what this specific transmission is subjected to allong those lines. WHat are the local tempratures when it does that.....what I mean is real cold or more average tempratures?

Very cold weather may agrivate things like that....even with fresh fluid....111K and 9 years isn't excessive....hope someone with more experience on the newer ones can answer soon.....Hopefully WHunter may know more. You can try to ask him...or JohnHef

it is in san diego

Try to PM WHunter and JohnHef, John is a Mercedes Mechanic and WHunter has a very wide range of experience including Mercedesand may have detailed knowledge of your specific models transmission...I know there are others here too....hopefully they will answer real soon...wish I knew more about this specific transmission to give a better answer.

I had a mb mechanic tell me that it is normal to have a delay going into gear. Any ideas. I need help fast before i leave town. Thanks guys

Mason

please help. Anyone had similiar experience? i dont want to go to san diego for a broken car. thanks

Answer:
 

Here is the best answer I can give, without going into personal opinion.

Delay when shifting to reverse in 1994 E420
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=173216#post173216

The early years 722.6 transmission had many updates and design changes, most of them were to the valve body. One possibility:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=138994