Would love your help on this transmission question! - My "new" 81 300td
10-16-2009, 02:09 PM
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Would love your help on this transmission question! - My "new" 81 300td
Hello folks,
I haven't been here in a while, but now that I bought a nice cherry 81 300td, I'm back! It's in immaculate shape, and only 131k miles. I'm wondering why anyone would have donated it! You guys have always been so helpful - I bought this car from a charity auction, so I didn't get to drive it beforehand.
The car drives excellent, but I feel that the rpms are too high when I'm going about 70mph or so. The car accelerates too fast between 45 and 70.
My question is, is this a 3 speed transmission? Rather, at what point should the 4th gear engage? It just seems like it's not going into 4th gear... how can I be sure?
I tried counting the shifts from a standstill, but I can't quite tell if the last "shift" actually occurs or not. I hear a thunk but I keep thinking its road noise.
I don't have a tachometer, and again it just seems that the rpms are too high at 70.
Can anyone help put my mind at ease or offer any info on this topic?
Appreciative,
Rod R.
I haven't been here in a while, but now that I bought a nice cherry 81 300td, I'm back! It's in immaculate shape, and only 131k miles. I'm wondering why anyone would have donated it! You guys have always been so helpful - I bought this car from a charity auction, so I didn't get to drive it beforehand.
The car drives excellent, but I feel that the rpms are too high when I'm going about 70mph or so. The car accelerates too fast between 45 and 70.
My question is, is this a 3 speed transmission? Rather, at what point should the 4th gear engage? It just seems like it's not going into 4th gear... how can I be sure?
I tried counting the shifts from a standstill, but I can't quite tell if the last "shift" actually occurs or not. I hear a thunk but I keep thinking its road noise.
I don't have a tachometer, and again it just seems that the rpms are too high at 70.
Can anyone help put my mind at ease or offer any info on this topic?
Appreciative,
Rod R.
10-16-2009, 05:36 PM
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1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
Mercedes hasn't used a 3-speed since the early 1970's and didn't introduce a 5-speed until the mid 1990's, so you have a 4-speed.
70mph should be around 3100rpm.
Here is how to test if you are in 4th gear, floor it. If top speed is 96-103mph, you're in 4th.
70mph should be around 3100rpm.
Here is how to test if you are in 4th gear, floor it. If top speed is 96-103mph, you're in 4th.
10-16-2009, 08:56 PM
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Thanks about the 4-speed info!
About testing it, however, I would rather not risk getting a ticket or worse, blowing my motor revving too high in 3rd. Might have been able to take that kind of abuse when it was new, but this is a 28 year old car...
Any other advice I can try out without stressing the car like that?
Cheers-
Rod
About testing it, however, I would rather not risk getting a ticket or worse, blowing my motor revving too high in 3rd. Might have been able to take that kind of abuse when it was new, but this is a 28 year old car...
Any other advice I can try out without stressing the car like that?
Cheers-
Rod
