Thanks, guys. I've been down looking at the car. The pinching off the heater hoses to the duovalve is pure, simple genius. Wish I'd read that before I took the whole thing apart, per ParrotofDoom's excellent instructions. The valve seemed fine. Plungers move freely, springs work, etc. I put it all back together.

While driving, I notice that diagnostic indicator #7 (low side pressure, I believe) was ranging between 11 and 13. At park or neutral, it showed readings 14 to 16. There is some "hissing" sound in the cockpit. The driver's side is blowing cool, but not as cool as the passenger's side. If I turn on the defroster for a 90-120 seconds, then back to air conditioning, the far left vent (left of the steering wheel) blows very hot air.

Does this additional info help? I think I've done all I can do short of dropping it off at the shop and telling them to make it right. Maybe a DIY can of freon? Yeesh. Thanks again for all the guidance on this new toy -- today has mostly been a disgusting one!

Cheers, John

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'98 E300TD (W210) | Sold 6/09 with 205k and counting
'04 VW Touareg V10TDI