adjusting vacuum governor for smoooth changes
 

hello again,

my trials continue but i am determined to sort out this car!

i am currently experiencing a disfunctional transmission. not only does it not change up early enough but when it does it jerks into gear. similarly on downshifts. it also takes about three seconds to engage the kickdown.

all of this means that the gearbox feels like it's fighting the engine and the result is both unsatisfying and very uneconomical.

i have done a search on this site and seen much stuff on the vacuum modulator (governor).

all the rubber hoses appear to be in good condition, i have run the car with the vacuum hose unattached to the governor and the result is a slightly harsher change still, but not much different.

so here are my questions:

1. i have a new governor but can't figure out how to remove the old one. instructions for this would be most welcome.

2. i have attached a large syringe to the governor and sucked out the air and it seemed to hold the vacuum well. i see that there is an adjustment 't' bar, will adjusting this help me, and if so which way should i turn.

3. any other thoughts would be most welcome.

as always, thanking you in advance.

regards justin

ps. on ebay yesterday a mint mid '80s W123 280te sold for £6,000!!! same colour as mine too.

right then,

i've just turned the 't'bar one whole turn anti-clockwise and the gearchange is now almost imperceptible!

however, i still can't help feeling that the actual moment of change is not quite early enough. it feels as if i have to rev the car too much to get it up to a nice cruising gear. and i am ony talking here of 30 mph.

so any thoughts would be most appreciated

Adjust the control pressure cable.

I might wish to translate your post for those speaking American English. In no way would we call that a governor. Not only is the term more applicable in the American dialect - modulator; but it also keeps one's attention separate from the real governor that has nothing to do with vacuum.

always happy to be corrected, especially when it comes to technicalities. actually, the mercedes parts dealers over here in te UK, call it a governor, they didn't know what i was talking about when i called it a modulator, a term i picked up on this, mostly US site.

as shakespeare would say 'a rose is a rose....etc etc

i would be very grateful if you could guide me to the control pressure cable and tell me exactly how to adjust it?

many thanks

justin

Well, I don't think I have ever seen a 280TE with the 722.3 tranny. I did own a 1980 280TE as a shop vehicle for years, but it had the 722.1 trans.

As such I couldn't tell you how the cable is adjusted. The cable comes from the front (I was about to say passenger side but here we go again) right hand side of the trans up to the throttle linkage. The adjustment is either where the cable housing attaches or a piece of adjustable linkage. You wish to move the cable LESS as the throttle gets applied. You will have to look at it, find the adjustment, and view how the cable moves with throttle application, then make an adjustment, remembering how to get back. You will either be altering the length of a rod or turning the plastic housing adjustment rmember how far and make a movement and drive. If you went the wrong way fix it.

Season to taste.

steve,

many thanks for your help, this has solved the problem and the transmission is now first class. phew, it was driving me mad.

regards

justin