I had to cap vacuum to cc, to improve shifting. Obviously impacted all my air flow and temp control. Any remedies other than removing dash?

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95 e320,87 sdl,79 300sd

Shocking that all five are leaking. How did you test this? Are you vacuuming at the switchover valve manifold by the passenger’s left leg?

I had four that leaked but they didn’t leak all at once. Some get more use than others.

I have a thread about how to change the center vent on a 82 300sd. Try searching for it. It is quite a trick without removing the dash but it can be done. I changed three through the glove box and passenger side kick panel. There is a double in there that I rebuilt IIRC.

I think the only one I still have left is the legroom flap which is right above the driver’s right leg.

Fixed AC center vent flap vacuum pod 300sd w126

So my feeling is most can be worked in and out of the dash without actually removing the dash.

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79 300TD “Old Smokey” AKA “The Mistake” (SOLD)
82 240D stick shift 335k miles (SOLD)
82 300SD 300k miles
85 300D Turbodiesel 170k miles

My mechanic tested them. 4 not 5 leaking. I’ve seen write up. Not sure I want to do that much. I still get heat with defrost. May use cigarette lighter fans for now. Car is old, but runs well

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95 e320,87 sdl,79 300sd

Ouch. Some may be replaceable without pulling the dash, either via removing the cluster, console, glovebox, etc. Read through the archives…

Some you may be out of luck. In some cases if there is an airflow scenario you particularly like, you may be able to force a flap in a certain location and hold it in place with a small screw or something.

Need to determine what functions are important to you, or not, and plan from there. Or pull the dash and fix it right….

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

They can all be replaced without pulling the dash, but not easily. But honestly they are still not all easy with the dash out.
The defrost heat one is pretty easy to get at. It is to the right of the accelerator pedal.

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1985 300 TD 448K
1984 300 TD 278K

1983 240D euro 240k
1994 f-250 idi turbo 330K
1986 f-350 IDI
1987 F-350 IDI

1985 JD 1050 4wd
1965 IH 3660

I believe there are six. I’ve changed five without pulling the dash.

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79 300TD “Old Smokey” AKA “The Mistake” (SOLD)
82 240D stick shift 335k miles (SOLD)
82 300SD 300k miles
85 300D Turbodiesel 170k miles

Does temp wheel need vacuum to function.?

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95 e320,87 sdl,79 300sd

No. The temp wheel is going to servo the fan speed and monovalve. Those aren’t vacuum actuators. However your air will be diverted to places like the windscreen instead of your center vent and leg flaps which are vacuum actuated.

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79 300TD “Old Smokey” AKA “The Mistake” (SOLD)
82 240D stick shift 335k miles (SOLD)
82 300SD 300k miles
85 300D Turbodiesel 170k miles