auto box question

[flagstaff]

the autobox on my 260E changes fine from 2 to 3 (and from 1 also, if kickdown is used) ... but then the change from 3 to 4 seems to take forever, and needs to be encouraged with a lift of the throttle. it does change eventually, but it's annoying to have to baby it along like this. it occurred to me that it might be a vacuum leak, somewhere, causing this. could this be right?

 

[MW]

The cheapest option is to exclude a fluid problem. How old is the fluid? What colour is it? If you are not sure, change the fluid and filter. Eurocar parts do filter and rubber gasket for about £12. Fluid about £15, as a DIY job. Or get a good autogearbox place to do it, but make sure they replace the filter, and drain the torque convertor, which is possible and easy on a W 124.

 

[flagstaff]

agreed, your suggestion will be first thing i do. thanks.

 

[MW]

I would be interested to know if it improves from 'just' afluid change.

 

[neilairman]

gear change problems

it sounds like the the bowden cable may need adjusting.
i fiddled about with mine once and it buggered the gear change.
if you got a manual it will tell you how to adjust it.

 

[tom7035]

I would also go the route of cable adjustment, though an ATF+filter change wouldn't go wrong if you don't know when it was last done.