tranny question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stcbenz83 · #1 05-16-2006, 06:10 PM

OK so now that i got the whole take off thing fixed ( jumping in first when it was cold, turns out it was driver error

) but now i have another question

i was reading the new post today about the syncros (sp?) and i know my 4th gear one is shot. i can usually get around it buy double clutching it slowly, someitmes i have to floor it netrual between double clutching, because sometime the double clutching still makes 4th grind, if that happens it usuall will resolve if i floor it inbetween 3rd and 4th.

is there anyway to solve this other than replacing the syncro?

or is that even the problem?

Palangi · #2 05-16-2006, 11:40 PM

First, find out what kind of fluid is in it.

Heavy gear oil would be bad. Something light like ATF would be good.

First time I went to change out the transmission oil on my old 240D, what came out was about 1/3 water

.

t walgamuth · #3 05-16-2006, 11:43 PM

i agree viscosity is very important to correct functioning of synchros. they depend on the viscosity to speed up the gears for a smooth shift. to heavy or too light are both problems. i would start with what is recommended for your tranny and adjust from there.

depending on the year there are different oils recommended. check your owners manual. if you dont have one post year and model here.

tom w

85chedeng300D · #4 05-16-2006, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palangi

First, find out what kind of fluid is in it.

Heavy gear oil would be bad. Something light like ATF would be good.

First time I went to change out the transmission oil on my old 240D, what came out was about 1/3 water

.

Palangi is right! Think about this, if the gear oil is too thick or heavy, the synchronizer will be sticky, thus shifting will also become hard and sticky. Change your gear oil to a lighter viscosity. It is OK for a thicker viscosity on differentials but not on a manual tranny. But NEVER use ATF on stick shift tranny! ( I KNOW YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT! )

Palangi · #5 05-17-2006, 12:36 AM

MB actually calls for ATF on the older models. At that time, it meant Type A ATF, which is now hard to find. There are some who say that modern Dexron ATF is unsuitable. There are some who use synthetic oil, like 10w30. Personally, I use Redline MTL in all my manual trannies.

BTW, I can get Type A ATF around here if anyone really wants it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

stcbenz83 · #6 05-17-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85chedeng300D

But NEVER use ATF on stick shift tranny! ( I KNOW YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT! )

I had the trans fluid chandged about 2 months ago because of this problem, i called the mercedes dealer and looked the forums, they said in winter to use ATF. so that whats in there now, and in the summer to us motor oil, i think i remmeber reading or hearing not to put gear lub in there, but then agian i could be wrong

85chedeng300D · #7 05-17-2006, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stcbenz83

i called the mercedes dealer and looked the forums, they said in winter to use ATF. so that whats in there now, and in the summer to us motor oil, i think i remmeber reading or hearing not to put gear lub in there, but then agian i could be wrong

Dealer?

you know how they are!? they may recommend it but me, personally, i wouldn't do it. most of them, not all but generally, they are bunches of highway robbers and they are good at it but not on maintenance.

i would prefer to use a lighter weight gear oil or motor oil than ATF on stick shift tranny.

stcbenz83 · #8 05-17-2006, 10:22 PM

so what should i use?

i was told buy someone (this was a long time ago) that u use ATF in winter because its thinner, so it be as think when its cold, and motor oil in the sumer cause its thikker

but all that aside

WHAT SHOULD I USE?

t walgamuth · #9 05-17-2006, 10:52 PM

the owners manual for an 83 240 stick calls for 10w/20 20-w. that is exactly what it says. i dont know what that translates to in current terminology. i think i would put in 10w30 for starters and see how that works. if the gears seem to graunch too easily i would move up to 15w40.

but maybe your clutch is dragging a bit. this will cause it to graunch. does it graunch going into reverse even if you are standing still?

this could be a failing pressure plate. sometimes the fingers begin to break off and it drags on one side.

my clue about this is that i have never heard of synchros failing on fourth gear. usually it is second.

good luck

tom w

85chedeng300D · #10 05-18-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stcbenz83

so what should i use?

i was told buy someone (this was a long time ago) that u use ATF in winter because its thinner, so it be as think when its cold, and motor oil in the sumer cause its thikker

but all that aside

WHAT SHOULD I USE?

veggie oil?????

if your dealer or someone told you to use ATF on your stick shift tranny on winter, go ahead, by all means, use ATF (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID)

i am only saying that if i have a manual tranny in my car, whether it is a Mercedes or not, i wouldn't use an ATF (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID) on my MANUAL transmission at any season of the year because someone told me to.

Lycoming-8 · #11 05-18-2006, 02:51 AM

What if the 'someone' was the owners manual, that was written especially for your year and model Mercedes Diesel? The one for a '68 220D/8 specifically states to use ATF in the manual trannie. Mine (see below) was still working fine when we ceased driving it for other reasons, and it had ATF in it the whole time.

stcbenz83 · #12 05-18-2006, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

the owners manual for an 83 240 stick calls for 10w/20 20-w. that is exactly what it says. i dont know what that translates to in current terminology. i think i would put in 10w30 for starters and see how that works. if the gears seem to graunch too easily i would move up to 15w40.

but maybe your clutch is dragging a bit. this will cause it to graunch. does it graunch going into reverse even if you are standing still?

this could be a failing pressure plate. sometimes the fingers begin to break off and it drags on one side.

my clue about this is that i have never heard of synchros failing on fourth gear. usually it is second.

good luck

tom w

if i hold the clutch in for a lil bit, reverse wont grind, but if i put the clutch down right away and try to shift to reverse it will "graunch" a lil, so i usually sift to 3rd the reverse and never had a problem

i wouldnt be suprised if it was the presure plate, i think im about ready to put a whole new clutch in (i.e. throw out bearing, clutch disc and presure plate) so well see how it goes, i just am not going to take it to a shop, ill do it myself because i cant afford the 800$ they wanta charge me, when i can buiy the kit for like 250 -300.

stcbenz83 · #13 05-18-2006, 03:12 AM

also i asked the guy whom i bought the car from why its grinded in 4th gear, he said his brother was halling it from texas to north carolina, and when he got it there, it all of a sudden started doing that in 4th gear, im not sure when the last time the drive train was looked at

sokoloff · #14 05-18-2006, 09:33 AM

The Mercedes approved correct fluid for manual transmissions from the beginning of time until at least the mid-80's has been ATF. Not sure of the newer ones.

Len

vstech · #15 05-18-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85chedeng300D

veggie oil?????

if your dealer or someone told you to use ATF on your stick shift tranny on winter, go ahead, by all means, use ATF (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID)

i am only saying that if i have a manual tranny in my car, whether it is a Mercedes or not, i wouldn't use an ATF (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID) on my MANUAL transmission at any season of the year because someone told me to.

really? Hmm. I will do what the Owner's/Shop Manual says to do.
Nomenclature is just words...

John