I made a modification to my '85 300D that I think is probably one of the best free mods you can make on the 300D with the automatic climate control system. I totally removed the damper door and vacuum actuator for the center vents in the dash. The dash does have to be off to make this mod but in my opinion it should have been done like this from the factory. If I want the center dash vents closed I will do it manually using the dash vents. You do have to make sure they work. Works great and is free.

I took the vacuum hose that went to the center vent vacuum pod and put it straight to the 1/2 section of the defrost vacuum pod. Not sure what it's purpose is but the system works great.

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Jim

Thank you! It's nice to know I'm not alone in my quest for heated air for my hands and face. I wear pants, socks and shoes when I drive, not gloves and a mask :p

I've been contemplating reversing the spring in the center vent pod since you don't have to pull the dash of the SDL to do that much. And as you say there's a lever to manually shut the center vents.

Sixto
87 300SDL

My main drive was to make sure that I can always make cold are blow out those babies. I don't worry that much about the heat. I did notice that when I want the heat or defrost and those particular damper doors open there is not that much force out of the open center dash vents and again - you can shut it off all the way with the manual shutters. The 126 is the same except for the difference in the way you shut if off.

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Jim

engatwork,

can you explain a little more what you did and what your car does now after it. it sounds interesting. i just want to understand what you achieved. do you still have appropriate A/c and heat when you want them??

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PagodaLOVER
1967 230SL, manual
1959 180D, manual

I simply disabled my center vents by removing the actuator and plugging the lines. Big hands = big trouble. You need to squeeze in there to get it out (without removing dash).

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Now that's almost worth pulling the dash for.

I want only COLD (fresh) air coming from that vent.

I'll have to do that for my SDL. I can replace the rubber vacuum pod diaphrams at the same time.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Is there a way to get the middle vents to work? I have no/very little air coming out of only the middle.