On the C280, the driver's side air vent barely lets any air out of it.
I would think this would be a vacuum problem, but the side vents are not vacuum operated. No matter what position the I put the air flow, air comes out of the side vents. So that is ruled out.
I once took off the speaker and vent cover housing to see if I could determine problem, but no avail. Wasn't clogged or anything.
Anyone have any idea? Thanks. :)

David,

You have removed the lower dash panel before and may remove it again. The driver side ventilation outlet is connected to the heater housing by one hose and two flexible adapters. You might have a loose end or something like that...
Once you have the lower dash panel removed, you might as well peek in the heater house outlet with a flashlight while you are changing vent settings. You should see a valve opening and closing.
If all air vents seem to be clogged up, you need to change the interior filter.

greetingz,

Grrrr, if I have to take that damn panel off again... well i guess I have to, so I won't complain about it. So the duct that leads up to the drivers side dash runs down through there? How big is it and what does it look like? I will check that out, seems like the only possibility. Everything else opens and closes fine, including the front foot vents, I can see them open and close.

Only thing I am curious about is this: When I have AC on, it comes out front dash vents to matter what. If I put the setting on windshield and feet, then it still comes out of the vent, although quite lightly, but if I push the dash vent button, it comes out full blast. It only does this on AC, so I am pretty sure it's normal.

David,

You cannot miss the vent duct; it is there very obvious!

One tip (for you especially): remove the screw of the hood release, gently take out the handle, pull the hood open and hold the outer cable while you push the handle back (so you can release the outer cable out of its fitting), turn the inner cable a little and take it out of the handle...it is a lot easier as the way you described in one of the other posts...

The dash ventilation ducts blow some air regardless what the setting of the ventilation flow is; that is normal.

greetingz,

THanks Steve.
I removed the panel, found the vent ducts, and noticed that the peice coming from under the cluster was not connected to the duct coming from the center area. I plugged the duct back in, and sure enough, I had full air flow through the duct! Too easy!
Thanks again Steve; you've never let me down!!

David, glad to hear that the repair was that simple (and costless :D ).

Did you already get some information about the availability and costs of the steel carter protection plate? I am curious to hear whether they are available in the states or not!

greetingz,

Steve,
No, I have not yet found out the prices. I'm currently kind of low on funds! But I will sometime soon and will for sure get back to you on that.
Alright, I'm off to Arizona until Sunday (don't ask!)! Everyone have a great weekend!