locks
 

my door locks work fine as long as i lock or unlock no more than 5 minutes from the time i turn car off. i know it's a vacuum leak. is there a place to start looking or a common problem area. 1983 300d turbo.

With 20 year old rubber diaphrams in 3 doors, gas flap & trunk I would either block off one door at a time OR just replace all 5 diaphrams. OF course make sure that the vacuum check valve under hood will hold vacuum first.

where would i find the gas flap, diaphrams and this valve? i am a fair mechanic but new to m.b. cars much less a diesel. thank-you for your help.

Gas flap: passenger side behind the trunk hinge. Pull out the plastic trunk liner and you can't miss it.

Under the hood: Hook up a hand vaccum pump to the yellow (those are door lock) lines, check to see if they hold vacuum.

Doors: Inside at the bottom (held in with two 8mm bolts) is the locking element. Driver's side is different, it just has a valve. Check all rubber fittings for cracks.