Hi,

I definitely have vacuum leak(s) in my '83 300TD. Here are the symptoms:

- Door locks lose vacuum within 5 minutes of turning off the car.

- The climate control is really inconsistent on turning on the heat (not sure if this is vacuum related) but there is another strange symptom that probably is. When I leave the climate control thermostat knob on anything above the lowest temperature setting and I turn off the key, the car diesels on and may die on its own or I have to force a shut off. If it is on the lowest setting for a minute or two with the car running, it shuts off fine.

In working my way through the maze of vacuum hoses, would it make sense to start with the path that goes to the climate control area? My problem is even with the diagrams and lots of info out there it is difficult to tell where that path runs from all the branches etc. I've not found a diagram that shows that path.

Hoping someone has dealt with similar issues.

Thanks!
Gib

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1983 300Dt 142K Miles

So where the hell was Biggles when you needed him last Saturday and where are all the sportsmen who always pulled you through?

The vacuum for the ignition switch, climate control and the door locks can be isolated near the firewall. Here are diagrams for these:

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/12265/disc_2/program/Engine/617/07_1-150.pdf
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/12265/disc_2/program/Climate/83-604a.pdf
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/12265/disc_2/program/Chassis/80-020.pdf

Many of the vacuum problems were resolved on mine by just replacing a lot of 30+ year old flex lines at their connections, including the 3-way connectors and the transmission. Cost was ~$10 and it gave me a better starting point.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

The locking System has a Check Valve that is supposed to trap the Vacuum inside of that system.

If the Check Valve is working properly and you are getting the right amount of Vacuum to begin with the Vacuum leaking down that fast in the locking system is a sign there is a leak in it.

You pretty much find out what is leaking by disconnecting the end of the Vacuum Hose that supplies that particular system and plug it off. If you Vacuum situation improves they you know there is a leak in that part of the System.

It also does not hurt to know just how high of Vacuum the Vacuum Pump is putting out.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Get a Mighty Vac and starting at the lines near the brake master cylinder (firewall side) start separating and testing them. Fix leaks as you get to them.

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Jim

This is a great start - thanks everyone!
Gib

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1983 300Dt 142K Miles

So where the hell was Biggles when you needed him last Saturday and where are all the sportsmen who always pulled you through?