A/C, Suspension, Tranmission Questions all in One! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Schr91 · #1 08-15-2008, 01:49 AM

It works for printers... you know scanner, fax and printer... all in one, why not a thread?

The Car

The car in question is a 1986 300E W124 with 93,000 miles on it.

The Transmission

Anywho, I have posted my issues with my transmission before. So once I finally got a chance I went a head and emptied all the transmission oil out, including the converter , installed new gasket and filter. Nothing alarming in the oil and the oil condition itself was still red, and no sort of a burnt smell came from it. Yet still even after filling it back up and putting it back together I am still having the same issue.

The car when putting it into Drive or reverse has a short pause follow by a lurch that signals the car is actually in gear. Someone said that the transmission maybe just getting tired, it being an 86 and all but I have a hard time accepting that considering the vehicle only has 93,000 miles on it. Also when I sit in traffic waiting at a light it is as if I can feel every revolution, the vehicle makes yet in slower intervals... meaning I can't feel the 1000 revolutions made in a minutes, so the meaning not being so literal. Once the car is put into neutral this stops. Generally this doesn't start immediately but after driving for a little while. I imagine I am going to have a mechanic take a look at this even if it isn't really anything; but I was hoping for some advice or insight into what this may be.

The A/C

The a/c has been converted to R-134a. Oddly enough in a differnt thread I complain about the fact that the A/C wasn't cool enough at idle or sometimes in general. Well quite the opposite now! I am freeeezing. The temperature control doesn't work and wasn't working at the time of the previous post either. But somehow this car has become super cold. On humid days it can blow so cold I can see the air and condensation builds on the vents. Vacuum? But some sort of a tip to fixing this or a direction to look. Winter is coming soon, granted it doesn't get too cold in Florida, but cold enough I want my heat....

Suspension.

Although the purchase of new shocks may not be within the total immediate future I am hoping to do it soon. I think I have settled on Bilstein Comforts. My question being however, should I replace the springs too? It seems that sometimes when going over bumps my rear squeaks, will that be solved by the replacement of these original shocks or if I am going to do, should I just do it all?

mbdoc · #2 08-15-2008, 08:33 AM

Many vibration that you feel in gear at idle are from collapsed motor mounts.

The A/C/C system regulates the temp by blending heated air with "cooled" air.
Sounds like the heater valve isn't allowing any water thru the system.
IF you select full heat?? MAX, do you get hot air?

Noises in the rear are most likely from worn bushings on 1 OR more of the multi-link suspension.

Schr91 · #3 08-15-2008, 10:54 AM

No, there is no change in temperature when moving the dial up or down, or on max heat. I have noticed to it almost seems like there is no change when I switch it over to economy... but that could just be my head.

It's odd that you suspect the motor mounts. The previous owner, a friend had told me he replaced the motor mounts on this vehicle... None the less it still doesn't take away from the issues when shifting.

Schr91 · #4 08-15-2008, 11:24 PM

Bump... I always get one answer and that's the end of it for me...

anarchy · #5 08-16-2008, 12:33 AM

i would replace the the temperature control unit, the one in my car was bad and the ac wouldn't turn on or adjust and then secondly when the ac system starts to run low the air can get so cold that it will freeze which means you probably have a slow leak somewhere, about the tranny my car does the same thing i just kinda ignore it theres a way to adjust it but i have had 2 previous Mercedes that would kinda slam into gear and then i had a Mercedes that would always shift in perfectly i forget how to adjust it but its somewhere on the side of the thing, I remember on my 300SD the reverse gear went out and i thought the transmission was screwed then i found out it was just a bolt for the reverse bolt was loose after that it worked perfectly. As long as the thing shifts right you don't have anything to worry about. for the vibration you may want to replace the tranny mount which is right where it connects to the drive line i did that and it made a diffrence for me. good luck with the car

Schr91 · #6 08-16-2008, 12:41 AM

Quote:

theres a way to adjust it but i have had 2 previous Mercedes that would kinda slam into gear and then i had a Mercedes that would always shift in perfectly i forget how to adjust it but its somewhere on the side of the thing,

Anyone care to elaborate on that. Although it may not be of harm it still bothers me, and I am just odd like that if something can be better I want it to be.

slk230red · #7 08-16-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schr91

Anyone care to elaborate on that. Although it may not be of harm it still bothers me, and I am just odd like that if something can be better I want it to be.

He's probably referring to the Vacuum Modulator that is on the drivers side of the transmission. It has a vacuum line attached to it that comes from the intake. If you remove the rubber cap, there is an adjustment key there that turns. When I replaced mine I didn't have to adjust it and it shifts better than when I bought it new.

On another note, I think you will get better results on the forum if you ask one question at a time. This has been discussed before and it seems that most members, including myself, scan the threads looking for topics that we think we can contribute to.

Schr91 · #8 08-16-2008, 09:37 AM

I did wonder that as far as the forum posting goes, one part being impatient another part being I hate posting a lot, I don't know why, but it feels as if I am taking advantage, or just being plain annoying.

Weird I know.