'91 W201 2.6 722.4 tranny issue
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Northern CA
R230, W201(s), W124 & E31 and of course, a Prius
'91 W201 2.6 722.4 tranny issue
Greetings all, I picked up this one owner 190E 2.6 with apprx. 196k miles. It needed much TLC and I had subsequently revived it to be my DD. Everything seems to be working as they should until one afternoon, the tranny started acting up and unable to shift up to 4th gear. I thought perhaps a fluid flush and filter change may help remedy the issue but instead, after the fluid change, first gear now revs to almost 4500 rpm, then it goes into second for a split second and immediately shifts to third. It would not go into 4th. Prior to this condition, it was shifting normally with no slippage. Will cleaning the valve body help or the tranny may need an overhaul? Thanks to all for your inputs and guidance.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Mine is a manual transmission W201 but I used to own an automatic W124 for quite some time. What I have read on most forums is that if an auto transmission has a super neglected fluid it is best to leave it alone and not flush it because things generally get from bad to worse when one does flush it.
Was your fluid really dark and dirty when you changed it? I assume at this point will not hurt an maybe worth a shot.
BTW, my W124 fell victim to a busted rear gear at 145K miles. I had to sell it as is.
Sorry I am not helping much.
Was your fluid really dark and dirty when you changed it? I assume at this point will not hurt an maybe worth a shot.
BTW, my W124 fell victim to a busted rear gear at 145K miles. I had to sell it as is.
Sorry I am not helping much.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
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From: Northern CA
R230, W201(s), W124 & E31 and of course, a Prius
Thanks for sharing D. The fluid was somewhat dark but not too terrible compared to some of my past fluid replacement tasks. At this point, I basically just using it to drive around town so to avoid over revving as any speed above 50 will tach out past 4500.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
I'm not sure where you are in Northern California but the place to go to around here is Autohaus Burlingame for Mercedes Transmissions.
I would take it there and have them asses what the issue is. It is a bit of a specialty job.
I would take it there and have them asses what the issue is. It is a bit of a specialty job.
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1991 190E 2.3
At 196,000 miles, it might well need an overall. Most transmissions need one at this point. I agree with Dolucassi to take it to an MB transmission specialist for further diagnosis. Good luck and keep us posted.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 195
From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
If you end up needing an overhaul after talking to Autohaus, and you feel up to the task, you can buy a rebuilt one from Sunvalley in southern cal. and install it yourself. That will be under $2000 with core exchange. But if you are like me and prefer manual transmissions, this is the time to consider swapping in a factory used manual transmission for about the same price. There should be some available in california, even perhaps from our W201 community here. The swap is not super difficult but you will need some mechanic's skills.
But I would first seek advice from a professional who has seen hundreds of these in their career.
But I would first seek advice from a professional who has seen hundreds of these in their career.
