Thom S,
Strange on the weather connection, though maybe some rubber bit swells
when there's moisture. Does the Vacuum work when the car is running, and
not when the engine is off? If so, I've found that the most common
ongoing vacuum leaks on these cars come from the door/fuel door/trunk
diaphragms, though some have mentioned the valve at the drivers door
too. If the vacuum issues appeared suddenly, I'd check the hoses by the
oil filter, as those get bumped. If the issue is there even when the car
is running, it's quite a large leak, or faulty vacuum pump. If it's a
door lock diaphragm, it may leak more when unlocked or locked than the
reverse, so try to notice if there's a difference if the door locks are
up or down when you turn the engine off; If there is a difference, you
might have a bad lock diaphragm(s). As Thom (from MC Classic) mentioned,
there's a bunch of little tube connectors that can go bad too. There's a
bunch of archive messages on this list regarding vacuum leaks, so it
would be hopeful to search there too.
At different times, I've replaced all my door lock diaphragms, plugged
the fuel door diaphragm, replaced the main vacuum booster line, and had
my A/C vacuum lines isolated from the rest of the system due to leaky
diaphragms under the dash. All works fine now, though with all these
cars, the vacuum issues will come back in time. A hand vacuum pump
w/gauge is quite helpful is tracking down the leaks. (Mityvac or
Harborfrieght model)
Rob
'85 300D
Garden Grove, CA
On 2/25/12 3:16 AM, diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> an introduction& a question...
> Posted by: "Thom S."solstingr@gmail.com solstingr23
> Date: Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:49 pm ((PST))
>
> <hope this doesn't post twice>
>
> well...this has been a long time coming.
>
> My name is Tom and I am the proud owner of a black 1981 300td (name of Olesia).
> I have been on this list since I first got the car almost 2 years ago, and read and study every post, oh...also laugh!
>
> It's really great to know where to turn to for "my fellows", regardless of age, gender or location who share my love for the older diesel merc's.
>
> I like to tell folks that my car was driven here from Stuttgart by way of Beirut-on-a-bad-day. (she looks as though she's seen some war, and carries scars to prove it.)
>
> Even though I live in Irvine (home of the Classic Center), I still haven't gone to check it out or hunt down the other Tom for questioning...
>
> Anyways, HELLOOOO o oo oo o oO o oo. sorry to be such a gnome, troll, silent hermit, etc.
>
> Now, my QUESTION:
> It's concerning my vacuum system. I know I have some issues here...
> Most of the time (when it's dry) I have to manually go and lock all my doors and check the hatch lid.
> When it is wet (not just cold and wet), like now with light rain, everything works perfect: car shuts down immediately, all the doors lock and hatch AND fuel door lock without a problem. I'm guessing this is how the system is supposed to work (duh, right?)
> Now I know I need to do some hunting to find what causes this leak, just wanted to bounce one of my "issues" off some more experienced minds.
>
> I have asked the local MB dealer, my mechanic (who specializes in diesel mercedes), and a friend who is an all-hats mechanic& I get 3 totally confusing answers that all involve lots of money and them thinking I am crazy for wanting to fix this money-pit.
>
> any thoughts?
>
> again: when wet (as in rain OR heavy-fog/overnight dew) the engine shuts off quick& all the locks close when I lock the driver's door (let's not mention the hard shifts for now [whoops!]. when dry, it's a walk-around to manually open and lock all doors.
>
> I guess I should mention that when dry, if I turn off the ignition and exit and lock the driver door while the engine still runs, all locks will close.
>
> never had any problem with the locks opening/unlocking. i.e. if I turn off the engine and wait for final shutoff (which seems to vary), all locks pop up.
>
> sorry to sound like such a neophyte. I can't even begin to describe some of the other problems I am having. suffice it to say I have had much help and hope just reading the posts and learning what does/doesn't work& what to expect.
>
> thanks in advance for any and all responses.
>
>
>
>
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