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  #1  
Old 08-25-2011, 12:52 PM
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W123 Center Vent Problem

Just noticed that my center vent flap is not opening when it should. Any hints on the best way to jury rig it to the open position?

'83 300D

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  #2  
Old 08-25-2011, 01:38 PM
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The actuator that opens and closes that vent is behind the vents. Pull the glovebox and you'll be able see it. You can remove and plug the vac line, then manually move the actuator to the open position.
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  #3  
Old 08-25-2011, 02:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD View Post
You can remove and plug the vac line, then manually move the actuator to the open position.
Okay. I am guessing that I will need to do something to hold the actuator to the open position. Isn't it spring-loaded to the closed position?
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  #4  
Old 08-25-2011, 03:33 PM
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Yes I think you are correct. You might be able to remove the spring or wedge something in there that won't allow it to go back.

If the actuator is still holding vac you might be able to pull vac on it then plug it really quick, so it stays put.
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  #5  
Old 08-25-2011, 03:46 PM
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I just bent a piece of flat thin aluminum stock and put it down the vent and hooked it over the edge where the rubber boot fits.
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  #6  
Old 08-29-2011, 10:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD View Post
The actuator that opens and closes that vent is behind the vents. Pull the glovebox and you'll be able see it. You can remove and plug the vac line, then manually move the actuator to the open position.
I'm having a similar problem and I want to try and fix it this weekend. How does one manually move the actuator? I've never seen what it looks like and I wouldn't know where to begin.
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Old 08-29-2011, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Tanksowner View Post
I'm having a similar problem and I want to try and fix it this weekend. How does one manually move the actuator? I've never seen what it looks like and I wouldn't know where to begin.
Here is a picture of the vacuum element and linkage:

http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=1982@@1982&makeid=63@@MERCEDES+BENZ@@X&modelid=6190%3AED%7C10000135%3AMBC%7C1504@@300D&catid=241766@@Body+Mechanical+%26+Trim&subcatid=241854@@Vacuum+Element&applicationid=W0133-1624351@@Vacuum%20Element&mode=PA
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  #8  
Old 08-29-2011, 12:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanksowner View Post
I'm having a similar problem and I want to try and fix it this weekend. How does one manually move the actuator? I've never seen what it looks like and I wouldn't know where to begin.
Here is a pic from my 82 wagon. The picture is through the hole where the glovebox goes. You'll have to remove the glovebox to get to the pod. The circled pod is the pod for the center vents. But it looks just like the pod on the right in the photo.

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W123 Center Vent Problem-cc_pod04.jpg  
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  #9  
Old 08-29-2011, 08:37 PM
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If you can chase the vac line down and put vac on it with a Mighty Vac to see if it will hold vac first. It might not be the pod, it might be a line or the elec/vac rail just above the back of the radio thats leaking vac. That pod is hard to work on one handed.
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  #10  
Old 08-29-2011, 09:13 PM
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1991 300D 2.5 Turbo
 
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On my '84 the pin that held the actuator linkage to the center flap had broken. Once disconnected from the actuator the flap opens and closes freely ( ie no springs, etc).
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  #11  
Old 09-03-2011, 01:47 PM
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So I took a look today and it looks like that center flap actuator will need to be replaced. We tested vacuum pressure on all the lines and it's all solid, but the actuator still does nothing.

Now for the interesting part...

I couldn't help but notice how difficult it was to get to the lines on the back of the actuator. That being said, I feel as though removal and replacement of the actuator itself will be a terrible chore. I'm hoping there's some trick of the trade that I'm missing here, because the only other conceivable way to get that actuator out appears to be removing the dash, and I definitely don't want to do that. Any suggestions/insight would be greatly appreciated.
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  #12  
Old 09-03-2011, 11:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanksowner View Post
So I took a look today and it looks like that center flap actuator will need to be replaced. We tested vacuum pressure on all the lines and it's all solid, but the actuator still does nothing.

Now for the interesting part...

I couldn't help but notice how difficult it was to get to the lines on the back of the actuator. That being said, I feel as though removal and replacement of the actuator itself will be a terrible chore. I'm hoping there's some trick of the trade that I'm missing here, because the only other conceivable way to get that actuator out appears to be removing the dash, and I definitely don't want to do that. Any suggestions/insight would be greatly appreciated.
dmorrison has done it without removing the dash. search by his username - he used two long pairs of pliers he got from Harbor Freight.
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  #13  
Old 09-04-2011, 04:14 PM
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One handed maintenance is frustrating. One option is to disconnect the pod from the lever and move the lever manually to the open position. You may have to wire it open.
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  #14  
Old 09-04-2011, 10:08 PM
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Further investigation reveals that my actuator works fine; it's just is not attached to the flap.
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  #15  
Old 09-05-2011, 01:00 AM
sjh sjh is offline
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^^^ That's unfortunate.

Here are two links for your situation -

Vacuum Actuators

Evaporator replacement

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