Hey guys,

Just picked up an '85 300CD. I was looking in the engine bay and noticed something strange just freely dangling. Any idea what it is?



Also, I was trying to do the ALDA cleaning, but I don't know which banjo bolt to remove since my connections look a little different than the one on DieselGiant.

Finally, I have the dreaded vacuum element problem. Air blows through the side and center vents fine, but continuously blows through defrost, and does not blow to the floor. Any suggestions on the best place to start would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

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http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/v...line12/oc1.jpg

That may be the block heater cord.

Follow the pressure line from the switchover valve to the manifold.

85's are a bit different than what I'm used to.

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83 SD

84 CD

That is the block heater cord. Pressure line runs from banjo fitting on back of intake manifold to overboost protection solenoid on the firewall then down to the ALDA.

I have a thread from about 8 yrs ago on how to replace the footwell vacuum pod.


Damn, my memory's good It was 8 yrs ago:

footwell vent pod rebuild tricks?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I've noticed that the jobs with higher frustration levels tend to stick in your mind.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Thanks for the help. Is the block heater cord supposed to be stationary somewhere? Is it currently inoperable? Know where it goes? Thanks!

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http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/v...line12/oc1.jpg

It should plug into the block heater itself, under the turbo.

In Cali, I wouldn't worry about it, unless you live in the mountains.

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83 SD

84 CD

Given the vast distance between us, it's hard to tell if the cord is operable or not You'll need to plug it in to find out. Most people let it dangle out the front of the grille so it's accessible for an extension cord without opening the hood.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Before plugging it in, check the condition of the heater itself and the cord on the other end. The heater's on the block up behind the alternator on the passenger side. The end you can see may look intact and pliable, the other end may be old and frayed after decades of exposure. A short circuit of 110 V AC is quite possible.

For vacuum diagrams, do a search for "definitive" by Yak. The diagrams for the '83 Fed coupe are all there, '85 and Cali may have some differences.

Not the end in the photo. That end plugs into an extension cord.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

How do you have it dangle out the grill when you open and close the hood? Doesn't the cord get pinched somewhere?

Sixto
87 300D

Mine's just to the side of the grille, fed out in the slot beside the radiator.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I haven't seen an extension cord with that plug. At the front of the car tie wrapped to a cross member is a three pronged plug that does fit an extension cord. But I haven't seen a Cali plug.

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83 SD

84 CD

There's a cover over the three prongs in the OP's photo. It keeps the prongs from being exposed to the elements all the time.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I see, thanks for the clarification.

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83 SD

84 CD