W124 lazy in reverse (( gearbox issue ))

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Makdissy

Active Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2014
Messages
83
Location
Staffordshire
Car
Mercedes 320ce
Hi all
I just bought myself w124 320 ce cabriolet ((1993)) and sometimes it's very lazy in reverse, it takes about 3 seconds to engage ( I think that's normal ) but it's like slippery and slow, it's perfect in 1st 2nd 3, 4 & 5. Any tips??!!! And I have few more issues like water on the rear carpet passenger side !!!!! Blowing hot air constantly from the side vents!!!!!
Many thanks
Peter.
 
Not normal to take so long. It is a symptom in the five speed box of greater problems. Get to a specialist who knows W124s. Where are you?

You have a leak.

You might have stuck duo valves if you are blowing hot air all the time.
 
Pretty much as above, not normal to delay selecting - check this for reverse stuff -

Transmission: - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Damp could be also be blocked or broken drains - or even a perforated floor...

Both sides blowing hot could well be the duovalve (heater control valve), one side is more common but the only other thing that springs to mind is misaligned flaps?
 
How many miles on the transmission do you know, a five speed will last for about 150000 miles before it needs a rebuild. You must change fluid & filter every 60000kms. Both the four and five speed in the 124 suffer from slow reverse engagement. It is the first sign there is significant wear that needs repair before too much longer, otherwise you run the risk of damaging the internals as metal starts rubbing on metal. Get it fixed now would be my advice. Either reco or you can buy a remanufactured unit from MB themselves for not a lot, contact the classics centre in Fellbach.

Water in the rear can be water coming in in between the glass and the seals on the rear windows, it drops to the bottom of the window cavity, runs forward and down to the foot well. It can also occur if you get water in where the soft top main bow hinge is - during washing for example. There is a large black plastic cover just under the side panel covers in the rear of the cabbie, this black plastic cover is bonded to the body with a removable sealant. if the cover has been removed to access the windows or the hood mechanism, then it may be the seal is not complete, this allows water then to migrate around even better. Mechs don't always understand when they pull the panel which is quite difficult to due to having to break the seal, that they need to re-establish that seal, it is a main water seal.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I'm in Stoke on Trent, the car shows 125000 on the clock but speedo not working, according to the previous owner the car speedo stopped working two years ago (( mot certificates approve that )) but the car was mainly parked. She is in beautiful condition for its age, and she only has silly issues that need sorting out, but my main thing is the lazy reverse, any ideas how much gearbox roughly cost to rebuild ??!!! Or will it be easier to buy reconditioned one !!!!
Many thanks
 
Correction ,,,,,,,, speedo works but the numbers stuck on 125000 and the other one (( bottom )) stuck on 00000.
 
I'd take the front carpet mats out and have a good look round the car for standing water & leaks. W124s can be very annoying in this respect. Check the drains under the windscreen and make sure they're not blocked. In fact check everything - footwells, doors, boot lid, boot, windscreen drains & etc

Nick Froome
 
My w202 does the same and i was planing to post the same. In reverse i hve to press the accelrator further than normal for it to move and its even worse if reversing up an incline
 

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