http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_dash/top_removed.jpg

Here's a picture of the dash removed on a 124. I'm wanting to permanently close the fresh air/recirc. so that only re-circulation will occur.

In the picture the recirc control is the pink thing. Is there an easy way to make sure I close off fresh air? I'm getting a huge draft in the car and am tired of messing with it.

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-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.

I don't remember/know whether vacuum keeps recirc ON or OFF -- but whichever way it is, you could remove and plug the vacuum line or you could connect the line to a permanent source of vacuum, e.g., the main line into the vacuum distribution center for the climate control system, located behind the glove box.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Maybe the actuator is simply leaking. You can test it with a MItyvac or equivalent. If it's bad, replacing it should give you full functionality.

Steve

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'93 190E/D 2.5 Turbodiesel 5-speed (daily driver)
'87 190D 2.5 Turbo rustbucket - parts car
'84 Dodge Rampage diesel - Land Speed Record Holder
'13 Ram 2500 Diesel
'05 Toyota 4Runner

I'd bet it is leaking vacuum. I would like to just forget the actuator and wire tie it shut so I only have re-circ (no outside air). But I don't even know where the pod(s) is/are at. Any ideas?

__________________
-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.

if you already have the dash out why not go ahead and test all of the pods in your dash, see which ones are bad and replace them if you have the time to leave your dash out, then it not only solves your problem but also improves functionality.

but then again if I had the chance (im too lazy to take out the dash) I would just close off the fresh air inlet also.

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'81 300D - swapped to a 617.951 turbo motor with a 150 amp alt.