Originally Posted by E320wagon'94

if i were to do this at home i have a few questions.

1. Does the whole motor/trans have to come out to do this or can i unbolt the crossmember, exhaust, driveshaft, linkage etc. and drop it down from underneath using a floor jack (without a lift)? Probably the latter, but I have no experience with your model. Sometimes clearance necessary to remove all the bellhousing bolts can make it challenging. But, I recently removed mine, using only a standard floorjack.2. are there any special tools required. Probably not
3. any pitfalls i may encounter doing this? Like something heavy falling on you? yes. Work carefully, and don't force anything.

The cars still driving now but i just want to make sure i know whats going on if it eventually dies.

Also is there any link between the transmission problems and the higher water temps and lower MPG? There could be, but with the hot and humid weather we've had lately, your heat and mileage symptoms might be incidental.