Hot transmission cover

[n/a]

Dear All,
I do not know if this is normal or not, but my 280 sl has a good timing and the temp gauge sticks at 180 during traffic and cools during driving. However, the automatic transmission gear leaver and its chrome cover (ie in the passanger compartment) heat up considerably and become quite hot. Is this normal?

Any suggestions?

Best regards

John J


john j borg

[Tom]

John,

I know this is normal for my car and I remember discussing this with Cees and he noted this as well.



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1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
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[Jonny B]

Ditto for me, after I drive for a while the shifter and chrome gate do get quite warm.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[mdsalemi]

Every item in our cars runs hot.  Touch the top of the VALVE cover after an extended drive and you might get burned, for goodness sake!  Even the aluminum hood can get noticably warm.

Those of you who attended the Mobil seminar at Weidner Motors during Starfest probably "got religion" as I did regarding synthetics.  One thing they drilled home was how important oil is to cooling--it is responsible for something like 40% of the engines cooling--hence synthetics are the way to go.

EXTENDING this argument, one would assume that synthetic transmission fluid is also important for all the same reasons...lo and behold that is exactly what the good Doctor Dan Caron installed in mine...query him for the recommendations!

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[hauser]

Just about every floor shift vehicle I have owned has had this symptom.  I wouldn't worry about, just make sure all fluid levels are where they should be.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.