Transmission vacuum nightmare

[brabus]

I recently purchased a 123 MB 1984 300D
I got a super deal on a very well taken care of benz because the vacuum system is totally shot.
Today I spent several hours replacing vacuum parts and now have every system run on vacuum working (except for the locks that I plugged off for now)

Everything so far was fairly simple with the use of a mightyvac, but now I am the transmission. It’s not a no brainer like the rest of the system, so I hope to have some advice on what lines need what pressures/vacuum etc.

The transmission currently shifts at high RPMs 1-2 gear and wont shift above 2 at all.

[Phil]

I found these sites helpful.
www.mercedesdismantlers.com/722.3and722.416_transmission_adjustments.html
www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic20242.html
http://transmission.articles.mbz.org/adjust/
Also look through the DYI section.
I just started into this having recently aquired my first MB and find this site the best for guidence.

[brabus]

I can’t get over how every single vacuum part is completely toasted. As it is I am half way through the steps from http://transmission.articles.mbz.org/adjust/ and have had to replace $200.00 worth of vacuum parts, and expect to pay another $200.00 by the time its finished.

After finishing I plan on making a more helpful resource for this vacuum stuff. The link above is the best one but has no pictures and requires a redneck/English dictionary to figure out some of the descriptions. Some of the other resources have pictures but are next to worthless. I am sure some of you know the hell I am going through.

[Kyle Blackmore]

Brabus , when you say the parts are toast are all the diaphragms blown and oily?If the whole system has this problem check for any oil residue in the lines. These should all be cleaned or the residue will harm the new parts.Oil can enter the vacuum system from the vacuum pump if the diaphragm inside it fails. Good luck

[brabus]

I haven’t run across any oil in the vacuum system. The vac pump tested ok as far as the vacuum levels are concerned, so I figure the seals are ok. It’s really that all of the rubber in the parts has dried out. The connectors are loose and valves are leaky. Its looking like everything will need to be replaced.
I’m a little more encouraged after checking prices with the site's new sponsor. Their parts are less than half of what I have been paying.
Thank god I was born without guilt or I would have a problem with making a big order after it’s all finished and taking the parts to the MB dealer for a refund.

[brabus]

I am now at this point

[ 6.) Locate the vacuum "tee"on top of the regulating valve on the injection pump. There will be a black vacuum line coming off the tee going to the vacuum modulator on the transmission. Remove this line. Apply vacuum to this line with a hand vacuum pump such as a MityVac. It should hold vacuum for at least 5 minutes, if not longer. If not you should move down to the vacuum modulator itself and check vacuum directly at the modulator (with all lines and connectors removed.) This will determine whether you have a leak in the line or connectors or in the modulator itself. ]
The black line holds no vacuum at all. I see this line goes into the firewall and I’m not sure where it goes from there.

Can anyone tell me more about where this line goes and the location/description of the vacuum modulator? It would be nice to have a better idea of what to look for before I start feeling around the bottom of a diesel benz.