Just to wrap this up. I was able to get the rubber diaphram from the US and it took a while to get here.

With the car raised on jackstands, I crawled under the car and removed the vacuum modulator. I had to remove the vacuum pipe with 17mm wrench, then removed the three 8mm hex bolts.

Clearance was tight since the exhaust is right where I don't need them. The last of the 8mm bolt was very tricky to remove.

Once removed from the transmission, I pried the old rubber diaphram out and intalled the new diaphram. Put the spring and cover back in, tightened the bolts, put the vacuum tube back.

Poured about a liter of ATF, started up and took it for a drive. It feels refreshing to be back behind the wheel of the W108. Had her grounded for almost a month.

The ATF induced smoke eventually went away after a few minutes drive -- ATF was probably still in the vacuum pipe and took a few miles before it all got injested.

Shifting behavior is the same as before the diaphram blew -- so no magic there. But at least the car's not smoking and is driveable again.

The 3-way electric solenoid in the transmission is not working, so that's my next target.

Thanks for all your help,

__________________
Johan Limcangco
Manila, Philippines
79 350SE (W116)
86 230E (W124)
http://www.geocities.com/johan01.geo