W210 E300TD Gear Change Problems

[E300estate99]

I have a '99 E300TD which has developed an annoying problem when in "S" mode in that the change up from 1st gear to 2nd causes the car to "jerk", and is more pronounced if I put my foot down, say to accellerate fast when pulling out of a junction. I did a test on a quiet stretch of road where I started from standing and put my foot to the floor accelerating through the gears, the change from 1st to 2nd was the most violent, from 2nd to 3rd less so, and from 3rd to 4th quite smooth.

Also, and I don't know if this is linked, but a couple of times when driving along the car just seems to slip out of gear, the revs go up and the car starts to slow, and I have to quickly take it out of "Drive" and put it manually into 4th or 3rd. I can then move it back into Drive and everything seems to work normally again.

If someone could please give me a heads up as to what this might be, or if there is anything I can test or reset, that would be most appreciated.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

First things first, get the fluid level in the gearbox checked.

Mine is at 226,000 miles and the 1-2 gearchange is quite 'sharp'. I just view it as being related to the mileage the gearbox has done.

 

[television]

As Parrot above, has the fluid ever been changed, should be every 40k mile along with the filter

 

[E300estate99]

Thanks for the advice.

I've decided to change the ATF myself following the great instructions posted on this site, and using Malcolm's dipstick suggestion.

A couple of embarrasing questions... (1) where does the dipstick go to check the ATF, and (2) where do I fill the ATF afterwards?

Many thanks,
Dave

 

[Cole@MBS]

Rear left hand side at the rear of the engine, check it and fill it on that tube, got a anti tamper cap on it!