Gearbox 300TD 1990

[Silvertank]

I've done lots of reading on this after searching through the site and just want to think out loud.

The 300TD was serviced last week. While it was in the garage I borrowed their courtesy car, same year, 300TE. I noticed that the gear changes on the 300TE were very smooth and seemless compared to my motor.

First thought is, perhaps my gearbox is more knackered/worn, than the car I borrowed.

Second thought, perhaps the way the diesel gearbox aligns with the engine is different compared to the petrol version.

Third thought, when my car eventually warms up the gear changes are better, but still not as good - therefore I would imagine the fluid needs changing - which is what most threads point to.

What does everyone else think?

Cheers in advance

Tank

 

[bolide]

I think the shape of the torque curve on the diesels means they don't shift quite as smoothly as the petrol sixes. And thumpy changes when cold are a W124 speciality

But it's also likely that you car needs the fluid & filter changing and that it's missed a few fluid changes in the past. Also your propshaft doughnuts may be worn, and/or the diff bushes and engine mounts. All these conspire together to make shifts harsh

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Check my howto guide in the howto section of the forum, shouldn't be that different from yours in principle (I'm no Merc expert btw).

Changing the ATF on mine certainly made changes smoother.