Is there a way to have the center vents open for good? Meaning, a way to rig the vaccuum lines so that the center vents remain open, always? If so, please advise....


CLK 320 98'

Thanks

no takers?

I have just recently done this on a '85 300D by connecting the vacuum supply straight to the vacuum pod for the center vents. Works good and you don't have to worry about the center vents not opening. If you don't want air blowing out the center vents just close them off. I am not familiar enough with your car to tell you whether this will work or not but if the center vents are vacuum to open then it should be doable.

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Jim

Which line did you connect to the vaccum element? Did you just take the vaccum line off for the center flaps at the switchover block and connect it to somewhere else? Thanks a bunch!!

On the one that I did I jumped the switchover valve with the appropriate sized tubing at the switchover valve. Instead of the vacuum supply tieing into the switchover valve it now ties straight into the vacuum element line that goes to the dash vent pod.

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Jim

I assume you fabricated some sort of Y connector? If not, how about all of the other pods that the main vaccuum supply line controls?

The change-over valve has 2 tubes going to it. Just pull both tubes off and stick them together for an always-on situation. Wish I thought of it before buying new valves.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

It worked!!! I went slightly a different route, but same theory. I put a checkvalve in-between the center flap vaccuum element and the switchover valve block. I gave it a little vaccuum and connected the two ends together. Presto! I've got my center vents back! I uploaded some pics on another site. Check them out.....

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1262037#post1262037

Mine looks different than yours but works on the same principle.

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Jim

Hello CLK320MIA,

I'm having the samre problem with my w202. Tried replacing the switchover valve block and manifold under the hood with no positive results. I would like to do the same thing you did. Just wondering, where did you get the check valve ? Is it oem ? If it is, can you please give me the parts number ? I know it sounds stupid but I'm living in Italy and unless I tell them the exact part number, the answer I will get is they don't have it. If it's not oem, can I order that from fastlane ? Thanks in advance.

Willy

I am glad I finished reading through the thread before I made this suggestion, good to hear you enjoy the modification.

I actually got the check valve from a local autoparts store. Do they have Autozone in Italy. Probably not. Anyhow, you can probably pick one up on Ebay. It's just a simiple check valve. Nothing special.

Good Luck!

I was thinking about it, and a better way to have done this was to put a check valve or check valves on the vacuum line(s) that didn't hold vacuum. That way, the entire climate control system works as it should without any vents that are open for good.

P.S. This would be a great alternative to R&R the dash to replace vacuum elements seeing is that ALL the vents would work as they should. The only thing that would not be normal is that the vacuum elements that have a problem will not remain open when the system is shut off. (Driver will never be affected by this) SO! Big pat on the back to me!

This can not be done if the center vent element is the one that has the leak. If so, you are SOL!

Hi CLK320MIA,

Thanks for the response, I'll stop by the local MB parts shop to check out if they do have the check valve of any sort that I can use. Do you know why there are two vacuum lines connected with a "T" to the center vent flaps on the W202 ? If I can find the check valve, I'll connect it between the "T" and the center vent flaps. BTW, Again, thanks for the response.

CLK320MIA,

I noticed in another post that you were sending the vacuum diagram for a w202 to one of the list members. Do you mind sending me a copy too? My e-mail address is w.ong@ifad.org. Thanks a million !

Willy