Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-09-2007, 10:50 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
87 300sdl a/c

Ok

My ac does not come out of center vents... it comes out of the side vents and the windshield vents and the rear.

At night the condensation appears on the windshield and during the day, in Florida's 95+degrees temps, the a/c isnt near cold enough for satisfaction.

What can i do to make the center vents blow? and Should i charge my a/c? i have a couple cans of R-12...

Thanks for the help. Frankee.

__________________
87 300SDL
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-09-2007, 11:18 AM
TX76513's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brandon, Mississippi
Posts: 5,209
It most likely vacuum related (leaks) or the most common vacuum pods diaphrams are shot.
__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-09-2007, 11:35 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by TX76513 View Post
It most likely vacuum related (leaks) or the most common vacuum pods diaphrams are shot.
How do I get to the vacuum pods and how do I fix them?
__________________
87 300SDL
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-09-2007, 12:03 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by frankee123 View Post
How do I get to the vacuum pods and how do I fix them?
You've got a bit of work ahead of you.

The best thing is to access the switchover valves which sit in a row next to the climate control unit on the right side. You'll need to remove the carpeting and kick panel on the right side and then carefully remove the carpeted transmission tunnel piece to access them.

The horizontal port from each valve goes to one..........or more than one........of the vacuum pods that operate the doors. You'll need to check each horizontal port with a Mityvac and see if they hold vacuum. The tests that don't hold vacuum indicate a pod that needs replacement.

If you get the tests done and provide the results for which pods don't hold vacuum, we can guide you to where they are located. Usually, it's the dual pods for the main door and the defrost that fail and leak vacuum. The entire system doesn't function until the leaks are corrected.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-09-2007, 02:50 PM
JimFreeh's Avatar
Benz addict
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia
Posts: 3,366
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Carlton View Post
You've got a bit of work ahead of you.

The best thing is to access the switchover valves which sit in a row next to the climate control unit on the right side. You'll need to remove the carpeting and kick panel on the right side and then carefully remove the carpeted transmission tunnel piece to access them.

The horizontal port from each valve goes to one..........or more than one........of the vacuum pods that operate the doors. You'll need to check each horizontal port with a Mityvac and see if they hold vacuum. The tests that don't hold vacuum indicate a pod that needs replacement.

If you get the tests done and provide the results for which pods don't hold vacuum, we can guide you to where they are located. Usually, it's the dual pods for the main door and the defrost that fail and leak vacuum. The entire system doesn't function until the leaks are corrected.

You can get to the valves, by removing the glovebox. Pull up on the center pin, then remove the outer speader.

Likely, you will have to remove the entire dash to get to the pods. Plan on spending the entire weekend doing this.....

Not overly difficult, just a lot of stuff to R and R.

I know, I just did an evaporator core on my wife's 95 E320.

Jim
__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-09-2007, 03:24 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimFreeh View Post
You can get to the valves, by removing the glovebox. Pull up on the center pin, then remove the outer speader.

Likely, you will have to remove the entire dash to get to the pods. Plan on spending the entire weekend doing this.....

Not overly difficult, just a lot of stuff to R and R.

I know, I just did an evaporator core on my wife's 95 E320.

Jim
The switchover valves are nowhere near the glove box on an SDL.

You don't need to remove the dash to get to any pod on an SDL.

...........different vehicles...........be careful on the suggestions..........
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-11-2007, 02:23 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Daytona Beach Shores, USA
Posts: 125
Brian is right on the SDL. Different animal. The switch-over valves can be accessed just by removing the floor carpet, then one screw on the passenger center console kick panel left foot side, then bending it slightly and pulling it downward. No need to remove anything else. Not even the glove box.

But Brian...... just how does one remove the center vent pod on the SDL. I have looked at it for years and can't figure it out. I can see it, touch it, feel it, but can't figure out how to remove it.

All other posts involve other models but not the SDL. HELP ME !!!!!
__________________
1986 SDL
My Other Car is a Porsche. When it stops leaking, I'm out of oil.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-11-2007, 08:50 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by alan911 View Post
But Brian...... just how does one remove the center vent pod on the SDL. I have looked at it for years and can't figure it out. I can see it, touch it, feel it, but can't figure out how to remove it.

All other posts involve other models but not the SDL. HELP ME !!!!!
Thankfully, by the gods of M/B, the center vent pod is functional on both SDL's.

I think you need a child with very strong hands to remove that pod. I don't think I can do it.

Are you positive that it won't hold vacuum?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-12-2007, 04:10 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Daytona Beach Shores, USA
Posts: 125
sadly, yes. Went directly to the pod with a mighty vac and it doesn't hold vacuum. It seems that no one has a way to get it out. Been searching for years. checked the hose from the pod to the switchover valve,....it good. Checked the port on the Sw. over valve and it draws up to 21 in in vac depending on the position of the temp dial in cool configuration.
__________________
1986 SDL
My Other Car is a Porsche. When it stops leaking, I'm out of oil.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-12-2007, 08:41 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by alan911 View Post
sadly, yes. Went directly to the pod with a mighty vac and it doesn't hold vacuum. It seems that no one has a way to get it out. Been searching for years. checked the hose from the pod to the switchover valve,....it good. Checked the port on the Sw. over valve and it draws up to 21 in in vac depending on the position of the temp dial in cool configuration.
I'm doing it from my memory............I seem to recall that you cannot get your fingers on it...........it's in a recess............to rotate it and release it from the bracket.

But, it only needs to rotate about 10 degrees for it to release.

So, what about a large set of pliers that can reach in and grab the outside of the pod? They would need to be large enough to open up to the diameter of the pod...........about 2"...........and the thickness of the jaw must be small enough to get in the space..........but, I think that such a tool would work for you. The plastic on the pod is quite strong for such an operation.
b
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-13-2007, 08:35 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Daytona Beach Shores, USA
Posts: 125
OK the pliers makes sense because these pods on the SDL are suppose to be "bayonet style. Not screws or rivets to the bracket. Meaning they just twist and release outward.

But, how do you access the actuator rod on the door flap ?? I.e., get it off and then back on again ? How does twisting the pod release the the rod ?

That seems like that would be the difficult part. It seems to be inside the plastic vent surround. I may be wrong here but no one has an answer on that.

One thought would be to just remove the pod, some how and try to access the the flap rod, if one knew how, and wire it (pull it) permanently open and use the sliders to open and shut the center vent.

Not an elegant fix but no one, I mean absolutely no one on this whole site, seems to have a better alternative.
__________________
1986 SDL
My Other Car is a Porsche. When it stops leaking, I'm out of oil.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-13-2007, 09:09 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by alan911 View Post
OK the pliers makes sense because these pods on the SDL are suppose to be "bayonet style. Not screws or rivets to the bracket. Meaning they just twist and release outward.

But, how do you access the actuator rod on the door flap ?? I.e., get it off and then back on again ? How does twisting the pod release the the rod ?

That seems like that would be the difficult part. It seems to be inside the plastic vent surround. I may be wrong here but no one has an answer on that.
Cannot comment with any intelligence since I have not done it.

But, there might be a possibility of removing the actuator rod after the pod has been released from the bracket. You'll have quite a bit of movement at that point, and, maybe, you'll get lucky and can pop it off. Getting it back on might be a hopeless task, however.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-13-2007, 10:33 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Daytona Beach Shores, USA
Posts: 125
Just for laughs, here's a pod pic on the SDL. Wouldn't ya know that little piece of dash is right in the way.
Attached Thumbnails
87 300sdl a/c-vacpod.jpg  
__________________
1986 SDL
My Other Car is a Porsche. When it stops leaking, I'm out of oil.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-19-2007, 10:15 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Ok. say that I remove the vacuum pod and replace it, does it automatically take hold vacuum or do I have to create a vacuum with the MityVac?
__________________
87 300SDL
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-20-2007, 09:41 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Daytona Beach Shores, USA
Posts: 125
Frankee,

What I would do is before you install it, Pull some vacume on it just to see how it works. No need to pre-vac it. When you take the mighty vac off, it will release.

PLEASE>>>PLEASE take some pictures so the rest of us can see how you do it.

You will have gone where no man has gone before you. Into the inner reaches of the unknown. Into the abyss of the CENTER VENT !

You will be the hero of this Forum. Deserving of all the accolades we can bestow upon you.

This of course, will only occur if you actually don't chicken out.

__________________
1986 SDL
My Other Car is a Porsche. When it stops leaking, I'm out of oil.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page