[W126 Coupe] Tranie Question

[Dick Spellman]

Hi Richard:

Where I am just a DIY'r and have only had one experience where I 
purchased an MB with the vacuum line to the modulator disconnected. I 
found the following results...with no vacuum to the modulator (line 
disconnected) the shifting between gears was very harsh almost like 
banging into gears in all ranges. I agree that line is way easy to 
dislodge if you poke around and the rubber has hardened at the connector 
along the valve body but, what other symptoms could likely result other 
than the one I describe here which is severe hard shifting?

Many thanks,

Dick

Richard Hogarth wrote:

>

> Camran,

>

> Your problem still sounds like no vacuum at the modulator. You are 

> describing a classic symptom.

>

> You should be sure to check it as it is also the simplest thing to fix.

>

> -RPH

>

> *From:* mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com 

> [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] *On Behalf Of *Camran Nassiri

> *Sent:* Monday, April 02, 2007 5:46 PM

> *To:* Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists

> *Subject:* Re: [W126 Coupe] Tranie Question

>

> Hi Dick- That's good news about the filter. I did take off the drain 

> plug from the torque converter and put it back with a new washer and 

> torqued both filter and the plug according to the manual specs.

> I used Valvoline Dextron III/Mercon ATF and this is the first time 

> I've changed the tranie fluid in the 420; but, I have done it several 

> times on my 560. 420 was one owner car with 111,000 miles and was 

> maintained to the mfg spec by a dealer.

> I'll try the Bowden cable this W/E and wil let you knwo the results. 

> Thanks again for taking the time and giving me your advice.

> Camran

>

>

> > Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 17:07:35 -0400

> > From: spell.yy at verizon.net

> > To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

> > Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Tranie Question

> >

> > Hi Camran:

> >

> > I've just checked my notes on a few tranny services I've done on the 126

> > 300SE's in the past. The filter only goes up one-way. But, it must be

> > fully seated and the torque converter drain plug should be fully seated

> > with a new seal (metal washer). I would adjust the Bowden cable first.

> > You can always return it to it's original position if it does not remedy

> > the shift point issue you have. Failing that, turn the T on the

> > modulator clockwise just 1 full turn.

> >

> > The Bowden cable will make all your shift points a tad earlier in all

> > gear ranges. The modulator will, when turned clockwise, reduce the

> > presence of vacuum resulting in a firmer shifting between gears in all

> > ranges.

> >

> > What type of tranny fluid did you use and is this a job you've done

> > before? How many miles on the 420 and was fluid always changed at the

> > prescribed 30k intervals?

> >

> > Dick

> >

> > Camran Nassiri wrote:

> > > Hi Dick- I am glad you asked the question about the filter. That

> > > perhaps could be the culprit. I believe I put it back the same way

> > > the old one was in there; had no idea that the filter can be installed

> > > in different positions. I know for sure that it is the right side up;

> > > but, cannot guarantee I had it 90 or 180 turned. Can that have

> > > happened? If so I have to take the whole thing appart and check and

> > > make sure. One thing I know is that the problem wasn't there before I

> > > changed the oil and filter. If I take it appart do I need a new

> > > gasket again or can I use the new one I put in last time I changed the

> > > oil?

> > >

> > > Thank you Dick and everyone else who has provided tremendous helpful

> > > hints.

> > >

> > > Camran

> > >

> > > > Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 12:07:10 -0400

> > > > From: spell.yy at verizon.net

> > > > To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

> > > > Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Tranie Question

> > > >

> > > > Hi Camran:

> > > >

> > > > I see in your original post that you serviced the tranny 

> properly. Got

> > > > to ask, did you note the orientation of the filter when putting 

> in the

> > > > new one? In other words, no chance you put it together incorrectly?

> > > > You did return the torque converter drain plug? You did use the 

> correct

> > > > fluid? I know all rather obvious questions but, if one item is done

> > > > incorrectly the tranny can start behaving badly. Assuming you feel

> > > > confident all of thiss was done correctly, I'd just go ahead with

> > > the an

> > > > adjustment to the Bowden cable to see if that clears the late shift

> > > for you.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Refer to the manual for your year/model. Should just be a turn or two

> > > > in the right direction to get rid of the late shift. Adjusting the

> > > > Bowden cable will result in an earlier shift for all gears not just

> > > > 3-4. You should be able to find a happy medium that gives you the

> > > > pick-up desired and better shift points. You are not describing 

> flaring

> > > > so I'd leave the vacuum modulator alone for now. Start with the 

> Bowden

> > > > adjustment (3 minute job) and see if the shifting is improved.

> > > >

> > > > Regards,

> > > >

> > > > Dick

> > > >

> > > > Camran Nassiri wrote:

> > > > > RPH- I have checked and re-checked the fluid level and it is 

> right on

> > > > > the second line. However, as I drive the car it seems like it 

> dosen't

> > > > > want to change gears unless I let off the gas; especially the last

> > > > > gear. Getting on the freeway the other day I was at 75 MPH and let

> > > > > off the gas and that's when it switched to the 4th gear. Is that

> > > normal?

> > > > >

> > > > > Camran

> > > > > 90 560SEC, 91 420SEL

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > 

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > > > From: R_Hogarth at Foundrycove.com

> > > > > To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

> > > > > Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 20:29:38 -0500

> > > > > Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Tranie Question

> > > > >

> > > > > During a transmission service, the torque converter will never

> > > > > completely drain by just letting it sit.

> > > > >

> > > > > Fluid will always be left below the level of the output shaft 

> spline.

> > > > >

> > > > > To drain it completely during a transmission service, the

> > > > > Tq-Converter either needs to be removed or a hole drilled on the

> > > > > outside of the Tq Converter on either side of the seam weld. Once

> > > > > drained, the hole is plugged with a self tapping tapered plug.

> > > > >

> > > > > It’s a lot of work to get the last 1.5 qts of tranny fluid out.

> > > > >

> > > > > -RPH

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > *From:* mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com

> > > > > [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan 

> Hodgman

> > > > > *Sent:* Friday, March 30, 2007 3:28 PM

> > > > > *To:* Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists

> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [W126 Coupe] Tranie Question

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Don't know, but any transmission builder I've spoken with has

> > > > > explained it as mentioned prior, which makes sense. You want to

> > > > > check the fluid level with it as close to driving conditions as

> > > > > possible. The longer you wait, the more time the converter has to

> > > > > drain into the pan which is why you run/drive/cycle the car

> > > > > through the gears in the first place.

> > > > >

> > > > > Perhaps MB doesn't want any sloshing to throw the reading off, ie,

> > > > > if fluid wiggles it's way back up the tube some.

> > > > >

> > > > > When I check the level I re-check it about 3 times @ each try as

> > > > > they never come out exactly the same each time. I consider the

> > > > > level to be where it consistently comes up to on the stick on both

> > > > > sides of the dipstick.

> > > > >

> > > > > So far so good;-)

> > > > >

> > > > > Jonathan

> > > > >

> > > > > On 3/30/07, *Shayegan, Richard* <rishayegan at davidson.edu

> > > > > <mailto:rishayegan at davidson.edu>> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Why does the service manual say to wait 1 to 2 minutes? Not being

> > > > > contradictory, just asking.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > 

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > > >

> > > > > *From:* mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com

> > > > > <mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com>

> > > > > [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com

> > > > > <mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com>] *On Behalf Of

> > > > > *Jonathan Hodgman

> > > > > *Sent:* Friday, March 30, 2007 1:48 PM

> > > > > *To:* Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists

> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [W126 Coupe] Tranie Question

> > > > >

> > > > > I wouldn't do the waiting after having the car in gear. You

> > > > > want to check the level as Quickly as possible after running

> > > > > the car through all the gears. All waiting does is allow the

> > > > > fluid to start draining from the torque converter back into

> > > > > the pan, thus giving an inaccurate reading.

> > > > >

> > > > > Jonathan

> > > > >

> > > > > On 3/30/07, *Shayegan, Richard* <rishayegan at davidson.edu

> > > > > <mailto:rishayegan at davidson.edu>> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > When hot (and I mean hot), it should be just up to the max

> > > > > line (mine actually will bleed out to where it's like 75%

> > > > > towards the max side in between the two marks if I fill it to

> > > > > the max line) if you get it hot, stop, put it in P, wait 2

> > > > > seconds, R, wait 2 seconds, N wait, D, wait, and then back

> > > > > (again with waiting between shifts), then let it idle for

> > > > > 60-120 seconds then check it.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > If you check it cold (i.e. at shop temperature) with the

> > > > > engine running, run it through the gears with a wait between

> > > > > shift, it should be slightly below the min-line, IIRC 5mm

> > > > > below on the 722.3 transmission.

> > > > >

> > > > > Richard

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > --

> > > > > Blue Ridge Mercedes/AMG East

> > > > > Offering Enthusiast Service, Restoration and Modification.

> > > > > Providing quality parts to discriminating customers in all

> > > > > parts of the world.

> > > > > Located in the Greater Atlanta area.

> > > > > http://www.blueridgemb.com <http://www.blueridgemb.com/>

> > > > > http://www.AMGEast.com <http://www.amgeast.com/>

> > > > >

> > > > > 1996 S600 Euro "Scharnhorst"

> > > > > 1991 560 SEC Full Euro ECE

> > > > > 1991 560 SEC 226Hp/271ft/lbs:)

> > > > > 1989 560 SEC AMG (N.Amer 250/295)

> > > > > 1987 560 SEC US Spec

> > > > > 1986 560 SEL AMG 6.0L 32V

> > > > > 1986 560 SL White on Burgundy

> > > > > 1985 500 SEL Euro (Parts Car)

> > > > > 1985 300 CD For Sale

> > > > > 1980 280 SE Euro

> > > > > 1978 300D TMU

> > > > > 1987 560 SEL 162K Midnight Blue on Gray RIP:(

> > > > > 1987 560 SEC Sold

> > > > > 1992 E300D 140K Champagne on Parchment tex (Sold)

> > > > > 1990 560 SEC 154K Anthracite on Gray (Sold)

> > > > > 1988 300 TE 160K Burgundy on Palomino (Sold)

> > > > > 1980 280 SE US 185K (Sold)

> > > > > 2006 Z4 3.0Si M spec 6sp

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > The MB Coupes Website!

> > > > > W126 SEC Mailing List

> > > > > Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > --

> > > > > Blue Ridge Mercedes/AMG East

> > > > > Offering Enthusiast Service, Restoration and Modification.

> > > > > Providing quality parts to discriminating customers in all parts

> > > > > of the world.

> > > > > Located in the Greater Atlanta area.

> > > > > http://www.blueridgemb.com <http://www.blueridgemb.com/>

> > > > > http://www.AMGEast.com <http://www.amgeast.com/>

> > > > >

> > > > > 1996 S600 Euro "Scharnhorst"

> > > > > 1991 560 SEC Full Euro ECE

> > > > > 1991 560 SEC 226Hp/271ft/lbs:)

> > > > > 1989 560 SEC AMG (N.Amer 250/295)

> > > > > 1987 560 SEC US Spec

> > > > > 1986 560 SEL AMG 6.0L 32V

> > > > > 1986 560 SL White on Burgundy

> > > > > 1985 500 SEL Euro (Parts Car)

> > > > > 1985 300 CD For Sale

> > > > > 1980 280 SE Euro

> > > > > 1978 300D TMU

> > > > > 1987 560 SEL 162K Midnight Blue on Gray RIP:(

> > > > > 1987 560 SEC Sold

> > > > > 1992 E300D 140K Champagne on Parchment tex (Sold)

> > > > > 1990 560 SEC 154K Anthracite on Gray (Sold)

> > > > > 1988 300 TE 160K Burgundy on Palomino (Sold)

> > > > > 1980 280 SE US 185K (Sold)

> > > > > 2006 Z4 3.0Si M spec 6sp

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > 

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