[W126 Coupe] Oil leak - transmission advice

[Andrew Sporner]

Thanks Iain,

You have nailed my problem!  It appears to be flair.  A mercedes guy
(private workshop) replaced a spring valve in the front (plastic plunger
spring loaded) that was used to help with hard acceleration--no effect.
(this was all before the rebuild).

As you describe, hard accelerations at around 35-45 Km/h is where
it happens (I don't know if mine starts in 2nd gear or 1st -- think that
was an option later???)  for the Mph people that would be between
20 and 30.  It seems to temporarily go into neutral and drops into
gear by itself after a few seconds.  Once the car is warm--never
happens again.

I have had it to Mercedes and they have changed the fluid and filters also to
no effect.  I don't know how Mercedes in the US is, but here they are not
really that interested in working on old mercedes--rather to sell new ones :-(
and generally they have no competence.

I had luck that the local service station mechanic knew a retiree from
mercedes that was an expert on motors.  For the cost of the train fare
and a dinner he very happily donned his mechanics outfit and the
fuel problem I wrote before about (stalling at intersections) was fixed inside
of a few hours.

Perhaps I should look into this Lucas transmission conditioner.  Funny is
that the behaviour began again after about 2 months after the rebuild so
it could indeed be a fluid problem.

Thanks again!


Andy