w124 question re autobox

[badshot1uk]

Hi all,

I have recently purchased another TE, this time a 1991 300 24v.

Yesterday when suck in heavy traffic on the m11 I went to pull out and head up to the next junction when I didnt have any power to speak of!
Eventually the car got rolling and it started to pull but initially there was nothing, it was hot, looking at the water temperature sitting somewhere between 80 and 120 (100 ish?).

I was wandering if this is anything to do with the gearbox oil as the car is pretty hesitant to change up when cold, but after a couple of minutes is normally fine.

My dad had a look and thought the auto transmission fluid was a little low (sitting under the min line) so added some.

I havent been stuck in any traffic today so cant tell if its made a difference yet.

Any ideas what may have caused this?

Cheers

Paul

 

[Dieselman]

Did the engine rev up and the torque converter slip or was the engine just gutless. If the engine revved then suspect low fluid, if there was no revving then possible there was a vapour lock in the fuel rail.

 

[w124coupe]

Re the fluid level, the correct way to top up is to get the transmission thoroughly hot (minimum 10 miles driving) and then check the level while the engine is running and transmission in "P" using the 80C level marks on the stick.

Too high a level is just as bad as too low and needs correcting via the drain plug.

If the existing fluid is brown or smells burned then a fluid and filter change is needed. Wipe the dipstick on a white kitchen towel to check - then sniff it!

The delayed changes when cold is correct - designed to warm the cat quickly. Should change up 3,000 revs ish.

 

[badshot1uk]

Re the fluid level, the correct way to top up is to get the transmission thoroughly hot (minimum 10 miles driving) and then check the level while the engine is running and transmission in "P" using the 80C level marks on the stick.

Too high a level is just as bad as too low and needs correcting via the drain plug.

If the existing fluid is brown or smells burned then a fluid and filter change is needed. Wipe the dipstick on a white kitchen towel to check - then sniff it!

The delayed changes when cold is correct - designed to warm the cat quickly. Should change up 3,000 revs ish.

Hi fellas,

You got me thinking now?

When my dad checked it yesterday after I reached his house, it appeared to be well over the max line? (just done 2 1/2 hour journey) This morning he started it and just run it though the gears quickly and tested it again, this time it was well below the min line.(car was cold)

Could it be that I had too much in it yesterday and now Ive got another 1/4 ltr more

Cheers again

Paul

 

[w124coupe]

Yep. Too full messes with all the operating pressures in the unit - not good!

Check it hot, idling in P on flat ground. Make sure you are using the "hot" marks as the dipstick should have 2 sets of marks (if it only has one set then those are the hot marks).

Worth getting a spare washer for the drain plug before you remove it to drain some (less than £1) - can be a pig for dripping with a used washer!

Also, if you drain some while its hot - 80C is VERY hot oil!

Worth looking at the service book to see when it was last changed.

 

[Vlad]

Needs changing every 36,000 miles