i didn't realize that so much of these neat little diesels ran on or were so dependant on vacuum until i got ours. a 83, 300d. what a beauty but with need of vacuum pipe, tube and bolt cleaning and some testing to try to find out where the hard shifting is coming from. and the door locks had a bad valve in the drivers door so that line was disconnected and plugged when we got it. dang thing would just up and quit with that leak happening. so i read all the stuff i could find here and other places and found that i couldn't do a whole lot except guess without a vacuum hand pump. so i shopped and found a mityvac 4000 kit in a nice plactic case that not only would do all the testing i think i need but also help me bleed brakes if i have to do that dreaded job alone. actually i got a good price on on this kit so i ordered a few of them incase anyone else might be interested in one for themself. the discounted price was like $65 and i got them for $55 if anyone is interested. email me off list. @tukapa@cheqnet.net (drop the first @) now its off to test some of the system.. . . . . .

I had my mechanic do a 'smoke test' for $75. Finds all leaks in 1/2 hour. They force colored smoke into the system and where you have a leak it comes out. Also will work for fuel system. Seemed worth it to me.

That's an interesting idea. I wonder how you would rig something up to do that? Anyone have any ideas?

Dale 240D

You might be able to do it like the tire guys do. Spray soap water at all joints, then force compressed air. Wherever it bubbles, it leaks.

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1989 300E 144K

The MityVac is great for testing...I found it was not so hot for brake bleeding...too much hand pumping, small catch bowl...PITA. We were flushing the system so there was alot of pumping going on. Quickly went back to the 2 people system, one the brake pedal,one on the bleed valve....much faster.

Now I have seen those systems that actually pressurize the brake system, that would be pretty slick....but brake jobs aren't that common or too big a pain to invest in such a system for myself.

But you're right, it will work for bleeding brakes.

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Mark
1983 300TD Wagon
Even a broken watch is right twice a day