I'm in the process of replacing the evaporator in my 95 E300 and have an issue that may be easier to resolve by modifying the automatic part of the system.

I've attached a shot showing a plastic "tee" piece that has one of the connectors broken off of it. Seems it controls the main air damper and is only available if you purchase the complete box. I'm not going to purchase a complete box and am considering modifying the system to do away with it altogether. It looks like the damper this tee is used with is set up to open/close recirculated air. Well, being in the part of the country I am in during the summer time I really don't want any outside air when it is 90+dF ambient. With that said, I do cruise occasionally with the outside vent on (no compressor) if it is nice outside.

The reason it has gotten me to thinking about it was that I have ridden with ppl that never turn the recirc air off. If I don't shut it all the way off I may just set it up where it is fixed ~20% outside air position. Can anyone think of some negatives to making a mod such as this? The car is coming up on 300k miles and I don't ever see myself getting rid of it unless I part it out.

If anyone has the piece shown in the pic that is intact I'd be interested in it.

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Jim