Per and Joe,

Thanks so much for the replies!

Per, you were right and I would rather be lucky than good! Based on you suggestion, I went out, opened the hood and found a vacuum line that was orphaned near the master cylinder as shown in the picture that you were kind enough to provide. I reattached it to the firewall and during the test drive happily rested my right foot on the the top of the kickdown switch at 80mph in 4th gear.

Surpisingly, the car also seemed to run alot cooler with this BIG vacuum leak fixed???

Joe, I have purchased all of the filters and fluids to do as you suggested and will do the major service this week. I have not found the Diesel purge yet, but I will before the week is up. Getting the tires to turn over is amazing! I'll let you know how it goes.

On a side note, as I said, I have a '95 E420 which I love. My wife cannot believe that I can enjoy the diesel equally, but I think I will. I love the engineering and simplicity of the diesel engine. I have a 25hp Kobota diesel tractor and it is the most reliable piece of equipment I have ever owned. Certainly, downshifting to second at 50 mph and dissappearing in the E420 is a thrill but there is something equally thrilling about the effecient power and torque of the diesel (not to mention the wonderful sound).

Thank you both again. I am certain that I will have other questions for this terrific forum as I bring the car back to perfect condition.

Best Regards,

Steve (8C>