Got a dash cover for my 380sl, While trimming a piece of the original dash that was curled up, so the cover would sit flush, I dropped the exacto knife and it fell down into the driver side defroster vent!!! Almost got it out using, of all things, a magnet on a string. Just as it got to the opening, it fell back down a now I cant even see it. Is there a way to get to this duct work from under dash or am I looking at the dreaded dash removal????

Most auto part stores carry small magnet attatched to spring-rod (about 18 inches) small cost, always useful tool. try, good luck, Abe G

Bummer.

They also make a flexible retreiver with a tiny 'claw' that is actuated by a cable. I see these everywhere.

I have another that is like a magnet on the end of an antennae.

Another trick:
Duct tape a length of small rubber or plastic tubing to a shop vac.
Sometimes you can grasp things with the suction.

If all else fails, put a 'rare earth' magnet on your string. These are super powerful, and not likely to let go once stuck on.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

Brainstorming: Try making some sort of adapter for your vacuum cleaner hose and close the other vents and see if you can dislodge or move the blade around any to try and get a better look at it. The adapter could cover the whole vent or use a small one and slide it down the hole. Is it making noise when the defroster is on?

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

Not knowing anything about heating/AC, I haven't even started the car, not knowing if there's a fan or something down in there that the knife could get caught up in. This is a very difficult spot to get to. On the older sl, the defroster vent is behind the instrument cluster part of the dash and there's only about 1"-2" of space between that part of the dash and the windshield.

The Mercedes EPC gives a good cut-away view of that area. If the blower motor is accessable (I have NO idea on a 107; is on a 126), seems like you might be able to use a magnet probe "upwards" and "rearwards". Good luck.

Seems from the EPC pictures that the blower is forward of where your knife would be.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)