1982 Mercedes 500SL

When was the last service of transmission if records were kept by previous owner?

Perhaps the filter is gunked up or vacumm leak on the domahickey at the tail of transmission?

These cars starts off in second gear. I suggest a fluid change first.

I don't have any service records from the previous owner. I realize that these cars start in second gear (sometimes at least), but even taking that into account, the car just isn't getting all the power when revving. It doesn't like downshifting either, even when flooring the gas pedal.

new fluid and filter first, filled to the correct level with the correct fluid. If its still doing as previous, it requires rebuilding as its leaking pressure internally.

Also to consider;

Perhaps the previous owner or mechanic tampered with the rods or cables that are on the accelerator linkage?Merely food for thought!

Sounds like a blown tranny. If the engine is free wheeling while the tranny is in gear, this is probably a major problem.

Good luck, and I hope I am wrong...

I would change the fluid and filter.... It made a world of difference to my

On top of that I also changed all 4 fitted flexible rubber hoses, for new updated ones with spring guards on the front belt driven transmission pump and cooler on my 6.9. That made a massive difference. Much higher fluid pressure, resulting in no non sense quick shifts.

Just to clarify, the engine isn't free revving with the transmission engaged. I had that problem with an '89 Cavalier Z-24 I used to own. You would step on the gas and the transmission would feel like it was still in neutral until it engaged. Sometimes it would do that while I was on the highway. My 500SL isn't exhibiting that problem. I am going to have the fluid and filter changed today and see if that completely fixes the problem. I drove it here to work today and the transmission did fine...

Ahh... it jump to high gear too fast... tranny trouble. Only a valve body rebuild will fix this problem.