One though for diagnosis: get one of the hand operated vacuum pumps (I picked one up at an autoparts store for a few bucks). From there you can attach it to the vacuum controller under the dash (this is just in my experience with my W124) and test how well the pods hold a vacuum and if they still operate. I too had the problem where the vacuum lines that connect right at the driver side firewall were disconnected. My gremlin with A/C now is a slow leak and a blower regulator that seems to have packed it in.