I currently have an '84 "Greymarket" 240D. The European headlights were replaced with the US sealed beam system before I received the car many years ago.

There are vacuam lines leading to the headlight area. I just purchased, but have not picked up and closely examined a Euro 240D for a parts car. The Euro lights are intact. My questions are: Are these lights adjustable via a vacuam operated system? If so is it worth the bother of installing them? It seems to me that a vacuam system for such a purpose would not be very reliable. Also just what does this adjustment accomplish, vertical elevation of the beam?

Thanks

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Larry Bible

the vaccum system is only there to adjust vertical beam ie whilst carrying a heavy load. do you have an adjuster on the dash above the park brake ?if not it is not worth the hassle to fit the system.on an euro 230 i had no problems with headlight vaccum even though it was an '83 car with 250,000 on it!!
hope this helps

Living In Europe (the Netherlands) I have always had Europe headlights.
The vacuum control system is very reliable. You will need a dial type control switch, next to the light switch (same unit).
It is intended for use with different loads but can be very practicable for adjusting the light to different driving circumstances.

Larry:

I have a 1981 Euro 280SE which has been Federalized, but in which we reverted to the Euro lights. They are lovely to look at (not segmented like the USA sealed beams) and there is a vertical rotary control just to the right of the headlight switch, like Rob says. It has white markings on it, for 0 and for + and -; these should aim the headlights higher or lower, depending on the way your trailer hitch raises or lowers your rear bumper, and hence your car's attitude (as in airplanes).

If that switch doesn't do anything discernable, then either the vacuum lines are disconnected, or the switch is bad. But don't worry too much, since I bet 98% of the Europeans also don't use this switch most of the time. It's purpose was for heavy loads in the trunk, or for trailers, thereby keeping the car's attitude level.

Good old Daimler Benz, often overengineering some things, and under engineering others. That's what makes our cars so interesting!!!!

Andras