Tick over / Fumes/Auto-gearbox.

[glennglenn]

My engine has been rebuilt by a well known specialist, the tick over when not in drive and normal tempreture is at about 1200 rpm, when put into drive it drops to about 800 rpm, is this correct? the car is also vibrating as if under load.
The fumes from the exhaust are very strong; infact they have given me a headache and made my eyes water, is this an indication of a rich mixture?
I am also getting a noise from the gearbox (it sounds as if a baffle has gone in the exhaust but this is a new one)when I accelerate, the gear change is not very smooth, is this all I can expect from 37 year old 280sl automatic, or should it be a smooth change free from noise?

[J. Huber]

Hello Glenn. It could be something as simple as the throttle stop linkage needing a minor adjustment. Have a look at this link:

http://index.php?topic=5003,tour

This may cure both the high "in park" idle and the hard shifting. Let's hope so!

James
63 230SL

[ja17]

Hello Glenn,

It sounds like you have several problems to deal with. Even though these cars are over thirty years old they should be very refined and drivable when put right.

 Cold idle may be around 1100 rpm but after warm up the idle should be 750-800 rpms in or out of gear. If your engine is not adjusted correctly it may cause your automatic transmission to shift rough also.

It sounds like your exhaust system is leaking, and your engine needs an hour or two of sorting. As James metioned, the linkage adjustments are a good place to start. Be patient, a few adjustments can  make a big difference!

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Ben]

quote:I am also getting a noise from the gearbox (it sounds as if a baffle has gone in the exhaust but this is a new one)when I accelerate

.........maybe the two 10mm bolts for the fluid flywheel cover are loose !

BTW mine was hard shifting too but readustment of linkages and solendoid sorted it. Very smooth now !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.