If it is so important to have a sealed vacuum system with no leaks, why is there an unplugged vac line running into the passenger compartment? Why is it there and what keeps it from affecting the vacuum in the whole system?

Thanks folks!
Keith

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1983 300SD "Helga"

That line is the vent line. When a vacuum device releases, it needs air to enter the device. If the air enters from the cabin, it has a better chance of being "clean" air rather than oil fouled sooty air from a smelly old diesel.

Its for the transmission which get variable vac. The leak is relatively small and the vac pump easily over comes the leak to to rest of the system.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Keith, you must be talking about the little black line by the steering column. I was wondering about that myself. Thanks for the answers guys.