Sorry for being so long getting back on this, but I thought I should say there are "new" symptoms as the weather has gotten hotter, in case someone is following this thread for their own needs.

Now that it's hot, it naturally takes longer for the engine to cool. A couple of times, I've popped the hood to let it cool while I was in an appointment (talk about getting some strange looks!), and if there was enough time, I'd be cool on the next leg of my trip. If not, well... I'm grateful the car has good working windows!

The monovalve kit is in, and I've looked at both the instructions on the forum and the monovalve in the car. Looks like a cinch, and we woulda done it this weekend, except....I can't find our angle driver, and I can't get to those flat screws without it. It's just a tiny bit too far under the edge of the windshield.

DH has the car this week while I drive the newest addition to our stable and get a few things straightened out on her, so if he doesn't find our angled driver (or get frustrated and buys another one!), he'll run by our indy and ask him to do the switch-out during lunch one day this week.

I'll keep you posted on the results. I have great hopes that this is the solution to this particular issue with the AC, since the more I read about the monovalve, the more it explains my heating problems in the winter, as well.

Now, one more question -- the '84 we just bought has a fan that's twice as strong as either this '85 or our other '84. It's WONDERFUL! I've been through all the service records back to the original invoice (only 3 POs, the original owner didn't sell it until 2 1/2 years ago, and he was completely anal about repairs!), and I don't find any replacement of the blower motor. I'm going to re-check, but what would make the blower blow half as strongly on our other two? Switch (we still have two speeds -- slow, and slower), or what?

If anyone's got any thoughts, let me know. No hurry, but it would be cool (pun intended) to figure this one out and fix it.

__________________
Anthracite 1980 300D -- 64k original miles with a new engine, on the road again!
Silver 300D -- second owner, Sunny's old baby, Ilse, 210 miles,
Having to thin the herd….
Silver 1983 300SD -- second owner, 325k miles
Gold 1981 300D -- well-traveled, solid little car
Beige 1984 300D -- 292k miles, grease machine, parting out
Seafoam green 1981 300SD -- 250k, windshield frame damage
too many assorted w123 & w126 cars, parts cars, and extras