C180 autobox problems

[HenrysMum]

Okay, be gentle with me it's my first time! Am also a woman so know diddly squat about gearboxes!

The Old Man's C180 has been struggling into 3rd gear, with Revs hitting 4500 before the change.

Got the local garage boys to do an oil & filter change today and change spark plugs as the idling's been a bit rough in last couple of days.

Got in it to come home tonight and the temp gauge was already on 80 at start up, it was slipping between 1st/2nd and by the time I got home something was a-whining on acceleration!

The VIN is 202018 - normally runs superb with 68K on the clock but it's really not a happy motor at the moment.

Now's you're chance to shine lads, is this a new box job or something unrelated confusing the issue?

Ta muchly

Di

 

[Ron Palfrey]

First thing I would check is the automatic transmission fluid level and its condition. You will need a dipstick to do this and the level should be checked at operating temperature (reached after driving approx. 10 miles). Don't try to check it when the transmission is cold. Also check the condition of the fluid. It should be dark red. If it is brown and/or smells burnt, it is overdue for changing, together with the filter. Parrot of Doom has written an excellent article on this subject. Search the forum for that.
If the problem persists I would seek professional help, either an autobox specialist or a good M-B indie.
Ron

 

[HenrysMum]

Thanks for your reply Ron,

I had the ATF and filter changed this morning.

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Sorry Henry's Mum,
When you said oil and filter I thought you meant engine.
Obviously wasn't that then. You've done the logical things to start with already.
Plan B then, auto box specialist or good M-B indie would be my next step.
Ron

 

[television]

This should be a simple fix for soft or long upshift 2-3

Replace KI spring assembly, can be done without removing the valve shift housing

 

[HenrysMum]

Is this something a novice can do or do I need to take it to my independent or MB?

Have I also got a MAF problem? Was cutting out on initial start up and temp showing at 80 even when been standing 3 hrs. Disconnected MAF and started first time!

 

[television]

Reading it again you say it was slipping from 1-2 this would not be the K1 spring.

See if there any fault codes on the car with an Indie, that should answer all of the questions.

Re the temp at 80c thats the normal running temp for the car, it could be somewhere around there this warm weather even after a long stop, bearing in mind that heat rises and the sensors are on top.

 

[HenrysMum]

Okay, took it into the Indie and had diagnositics run on it. Diagnostics didn't flag anything up.

After about 4 hours of messing about and test driving finally the MAF was changed and all appears to be fine.

Thanks for the help guys!

Di

 

[television]

So this was a case where the gearbox could not perform as it should due to the low power output from the engine

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Brilliant result Henrys Mum.
No need to be gentle with you next time. You seem to know what you're doing. Well done!
Nice to have you with us.
Ron