So I have finally joined the group of W124 owners who have no air coming from the center vent. I have been doing quite a bit of reading about replacing the vacuum pod in the air box.
But the more I read, the more I DO NOT want to pull the dashboard on my 1991 W124. Someone from Benzworld said they replaced the center pod without pulling the dash with some patience.

My question to you all is can I just prop open or somehow keep the center vent open without pulling the dash? I NEVER use the automated climate control nor do I ever use any of the controls besides top and bottom air. With 80 degree temperatures here, only having two vents blowing is seriously a drag.

I will be replacing the foot pod, but until the others go, I cannot see a reason to pull the dash for just one. (When I finally have time I will be pulling the dash and replacing all of the pods) Also on a quick side note does anyone know where I can obtain the foot pod? Or at least have a part number for me?

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it.

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1991 Mercedes 300TE (Current Girlfriend )
1994 Mazda Miata

You mean you don't want to do this? Me neither.

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

Well from what I have seen this flap is controlled by the center pod?
If so, proping this open will solve my problem at least temporarily.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1991 Mercedes 300TE (Current Girlfriend )
1994 Mazda Miata

WEELLLLLL, who wants to do deep dash surgery if they don't want to. Been in there twice, once for the pods and once for the heater core. Get a manual and proceed slowly. Each pod is about 35 - 40 bucks each. Once you have this done, you can forget about for another 10 years or so. Also, think about it, these are VACUUM pods. If they are bad, you have a vacuum leak. Vacuum leaks mean your car is NOT running the way it should. I would guess you have one or more of these symptoms: rough idle, bad fuel mileage, stumble upon acceleration, surging while driving, inop or rough operation of your cruise control. Suck it up, bite the bullet and getter done!!! I promise when you are done you will have a great sense of accomplishment. Be patient, go slow and take alot of pictures and write a lot of **** down! Good luck

Would bad dash pods really affect the way the engine runs?

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

Theoretically in an M103/CIS car yes, but the M104 should compensate for that small amount of extra air.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Well I do not feel comfortable/people in my house won't let me pull the passenger air bag. That is another problem that I did not mention.

On top of all that, I haven't had any of those symptoms; even when I have problems it has been ignition related, like a bad distributor or spark plugs.

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1991 Mercedes 300TE (Current Girlfriend )
1994 Mazda Miata

Its nigh impossible to replace or do anything with the center pod without removing the dash. You might be able to prop it open as you suggest, but that is about all you can do for now. There should be no passenger side airbag on a 1991? Either way I have removed plenty of airbags with just disconnecting the battery. There is absolutely no risk of it going off! Even a perfectly placed static charge to the airbag terminals most likely won't set it off.

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

It looks worse than it is. It's not dirty work and you're sitting most of the time. Just remember how everything comes apart so you can put it together correctly. I video taped mine.

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'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

it seriously only takes roughly 45 minutes to take out the dash if you follow babymog's guide, and then you wont have to work around having your dash in the way...

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

45 minutes to take out a 124 dash? This I've got to see! Where is this link?

The passenger-airbag was optional in the 124 in 1991.

45 minutes? Pretty damn good, I want you to do my next one!

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Getting back to the original question, can I prop open the center vent to get it functioning again?

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1991 Mercedes 300TE (Current Girlfriend )
1994 Mazda Miata

wow i stumbled upon this thread cuz i to have no air from the center vents,and/or it blows intermitently,i must say holy !@#$,there is a big mess there steering wheel off and all,it does not look like a job for the weary,ive removed dashboards before,but it looks loike a good weekend project.my a/c dont work anyways,i need to get it diagnosed,and can you believe the jackass who sold it to me on ebay told me it blows ice cold,haha.

It did before all the freon leaked out of your condenser in the dash.......