Hello all,

Yesterday I drove home from college about 130 miles without a problem. Earlier today when I was making a short trip around town and my engine was flaring a little bit from stop. I would have to get the RPM up to about 2500 to get it moving. Then about an hour later when I was about to drive somewhere else the problem got way worse, 6000RPM to get moving. Then I knew that this problem was way too big for me to handle and am now looking for help/suggestions from other forum members.

I don't know very much about how to go about fixing things of this nature but here are some things of importance:

1. Engine starts up and runs perfectly fine, revs normally with no odd noise.

2. Reverse works normally as well

3. When I shift to D I don't feel anything, like it's still in Neutral.

4. 221k miles (I know, a lot)

I don't know what any of this means, common sense just leads me to thinks its a transmission problem, probably serious.

I'm not entirely sure a rebuild will be worth it on this car

...not entirely sure a rebuild is worth it on this car but I really hate to see it go.

I recommend having a MB-trained independent tech evaluate the transmission problem and suggest possible fixes and the cost of each. Then you can decide which option is the most viable. Keep in mind that any other used MB that you buy as a replacement may need expensive repairs to get it up to snuff.

__________________
Fred Hoelzle

Check while the engine idles. FIll to the correct level with Dexron II or III.
If the level was way low (more than 2 quarts), you may have roasted the transmission.

Either way, you should change the fluid and filter, basically to see how it looks at this point, and that's about the only thing we mortals can do. If you have clutch pieces and other debris in there, it's rebuild time. If it looks fairly clean, then it may be repairable, but you should find a tranny shop to look at it.

My local MB independent installs rebuilt transmissions for your car for about $1,200. That's parts and labor, and they come with a one year warranty.

Surely your car is worth more than $1,200.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Thank you all for your help but I don't plan on doing much outside today be ause it is about -18 degrees. I also have to find a way to get back to school with out my car (130 miles away) by 9am tomorrow so basically I think the car will just sit until spring break. Hopefully it will be warmer and then I could get to doing some real thinking.

$1200 for a rebuilt or repaired transmission installed, that’s cheap. Does it include a rebuilt torque converter, new B2 piston if needed, updated reverse B3 clutches, new bands if needed, not relined, they don’t last, all seals, gaskets, clutches changed. Secondary pump elimination kit, any valve body updates, new vacuum modulator, linkage bushings and clips.

__________________
Steve Cattaneo www.mastertechtrans.com


03 SL500
02 MB AMG
87 560 SEC
87 300D
928S 83
85 928 S2 EURO

i always check my fluid when the car is cold. the dip stick doesn't have a hot cold marks, so i assume it is for cold.

__________________
93 Toyota Corolla 177K
95 S 500 coupe 82K
92 400E 180K (SOLD)
94 E 420 150, blown gaskets (SOLD)
http://www.kanio.net/mercedes_signature.jpg

I believe you are supposed to check transmission fluid level when it is at operating temperature.

Also, the engine should be running (since we are discussing basics).

__________________
2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

B2 piston failure or broken B2 band

__________________
Steve Cattaneo www.mastertechtrans.com


03 SL500
02 MB AMG
87 560 SEC
87 300D
928S 83
85 928 S2 EURO

I thought B2 piston failure caused a loss of reverse. Am I remembering wrong?

__________________
2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

The B2 band is applied for 1st, 2nd and 3r gear in 722.3,4 and 5 transmissions, you are thinking about the B3 band on the 722.0,1,2 transmissions or the B3 clutches in the 722.3 transmission which is reverse gear. I also sometime get confused, Too much transmission fluid in my Brain. .

__________________
Steve Cattaneo www.mastertechtrans.com


03 SL500
02 MB AMG
87 560 SEC
87 300D
928S 83
85 928 S2 EURO

so if I inspect the B2 piston and it's in good shape then it's the band and time to call in someone that knows what they are doing?

Also, what is the possibility that I find that the B2 piston is broken, replace it, and find out that the band is broken too. Is it possible to at least see if the band is broken without removing the transmission?

The only way to confirm a broken band without a doubt, remove the valve body and plate. You can also have a stuck B2 shift valve in the valve body, not as common as the piston and band.

__________________
Steve Cattaneo www.mastertechtrans.com


03 SL500
02 MB AMG
87 560 SEC
87 300D
928S 83
85 928 S2 EURO

Does anybody know?