[carnut62]

With the help of a MityVac pump, I've confirmed the pod (#40 in the A/C manual) wont hold vacuum. It appears I rotate it to disengage it from the bracket. Clockwise or counter clockwise? What holds it's rod to the door? I was hoping the vacuum manifold on the right side was the culprit, but it supplies 10 inches of vacuum to it with the temp wheel rotated to the blue area, then shuts off the vacuum when I rotate it to the red zone. Which seems normal. Where's the best place to get this pod?

 

[Josh]

It rotates out, but there's a little plastic piece at the top of the pod you have to push down so you can keep rotating it and ultimately freeing it from the bracket. I almost learned that the hard way when I was taking mine off. Thankfully I only have two!

You should be able to gently snap out the guide rod from the top of the vacuum pod.

I got mine from AutoHausAZ, no issues with the replacements.

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

Back when I was dog the whole system check on the SE I raided a couple of the cars at the yard using my trusty MityVac. As it turned out I got an entire set from just two cars which happened to be side by side and also happened to have the dash covers removed, nothing was in the way to rob what I needed

 

[carnut62]

What is the name of this pod? I checked Peach Parts but Its hard to determine what I need. Rotate the pod clockwise holding this plastic piece? Thanks for the quick responses! As recommended, I checked AutoHaus Az. Is this the right part? 0008005775, A/C main actuator, main flap air control.

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

What is the name of this pod? I checked Peach Parts but Its hard to determine what I need. Rotate the pod clockwise holding this plastic piece? Thanks for the quick responses! As recommended, I checked AutoHaus Az. Is this the right part? 0008005775, A/C main actuator, main flap air control.

There are several different actuators (aka vacuum elements), there should be a sticker with it's number on each, that'll get ya the correct one(s)

 

[Josh]

There are several vacuum pods, but each should have the corresponding number on it.

These are the only two I've got:

 

[GreenT]

What is the name of this pod? I checked Peach Parts but Its hard to determine what I need. Rotate the pod clockwise holding this plastic piece? Thanks for the quick responses! As recommended, I checked AutoHaus Az. Is this the right part? 0008005775, A/C main actuator, main flap air control.

It's either #95 or #98 on the diagram.

HEATER CASE & AIR CONDITIONER CASE WITH BLOWER. Fits: 1988 Mercedes 300 SE | Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta

 

[carnut62]

The one I need is located just behind the A/C control panel. You access it once the center dash wood is removed. Upper right in the opening. I need to order this pod before I tear the dash apart. Can't have the car down 2 or more days. The red/black hose goes to it from the vacuum manifold. If I apply vacuum to it, it opens the center A/C vents but bleeds off to zero within 20 seconds. Number 40 in the A/C service manual.

 

[dadrab]

@carnut62 - I know it's straying from BenzWorld, but please do yourself a favor and look at this thread. If you're not a member, sign up so you can see the photos.

This is the best thread I've ever seen for W126 pod replacement.

Scroll down to post #11 . That's where you'll find the pod you're looking to replace. Notice the "hook" formation of the actuating wire on the end. I believe it's the only one in the car with an end like that.

I believe this is the part number (close-up from post #18 ):

Alternatively, you can go here: Performance Analysis | Climate Control | Diaphragms | Blower Motors | Pushbutton Panels | Vacuum Door Locks | Autotemp | Cruise Control | Engine Oil Analysis | Mercedes-Benz Parts | Mercedes-Benz Club of America | Oak Ridge | Car Care - ACC Version I and get a set of diaphragms to repair all the pods in the car. Make sure you get one of his "pod poppers" while you're there. It's difficult to split them without the tool.

Option 2 is, obviously, the PITA route, but very inexpensive and quite doable. With the tool, I can rebuild a pod in about half hour or less (learning curve not included).

 

[mclare]

Why don't you read my post on the repair of it? The "Finally Fixed" and "A trek up North" threads both have the repairs in it.

Also, if you pm me I can send you the pics of when I replaced all of mine, and I have a master parts list that tells you what goes where.

 

[mclare]

It's either [URL=http://www.benzworld.org/forums/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=95]#95 [/URL] or [URL=http://www.benzworld.org/forums/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=98]#98 [/URL] on the diagram.

HEATER CASE & AIR CONDITIONER CASE WITH BLOWER. Fits: 1988 Mercedes 300 SE | Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta

Neither #95 or #98 are correct. Thos two are for the fresh/recirc and NOT the center vents. This isn't even the correct drawing.

 

[GreenT]

Neither #95 or #98 are correct. Thos two are for the fresh/recirc and NOT the center vents. This isn't even the correct drawing.

So which one is it? What's the part #?

 

[Aspect]

Part numbers.

 

[carnut62]

Thank you Aspect! appears to be item 107 part #0008006775 thru AutoHausAz. $24.00!!! I've already done item 101.

 

[carnut62]

@carnut62

This is the best thread I've ever seen for W126 pod replacement.

Scroll down to post #11 . That's where you'll find the pod you're looking to replace. Notice the "hook" formation of the actuating wire on the end. I believe it's the only one in the car with an end like that.

I believe this is the part number (close-up from post #18 ):

Alternatively, you can go here: Performance Analysis | Climate Control | Diaphragms | Blower Motors | Pushbutton Panels | Vacuum Door Locks | Autotemp | Cruise Control | Engine Oil Analysis | Mercedes-Benz Parts | Mercedes-Benz Club of America | Oak Ridge | Car Care - ACC Version I and get a set of diaphragms to repair all the pods in the car. Make sure you get one of his "pod poppers" while you're there. It's difficult to split them without the tool.

Option 2 is, obviously, the PITA route, but very inexpensive and quite doable. With the tool, I can rebuild a pod in about half hour or less (learning curve not included).

The log on did not appear nor the part number?

 

[mclare]

Here are pics of the pods that you may need to replace per our phone conversation.

 

[carnut62]

It's shown in the 3rd picture of 8. Thank you, thank you! That's the correct pod I think I need. Per Mclare and my conversation with him. Do you rotate it clockwise to disengage from its bracket?

 

[mclare]

I believe it unscrews. Just try it and be gentle.

You know, when you are doing it at the time you think you take enough pics, but then you look back and see you could take more.

 

[roadhouse]

Just curious if you have checked vacuum on that pod directly, or you checked vacuum by unplugging from the vacuum solenoid.
If the latter, be careful, because the center vent pod and the defroster flap pod are interconnected via a tee and check valve. In my experience it's usually the double vac pods that go first. If you haven't tested the center vent pod directly, you may be getting a vac bleed from the defrost pod, giving you a false diagnosis.
You can remove the defrost pod fairly easily, and test it separately, to verify.

 

[carnut62]

I put the MityVac on the center vent pod directly.(pod #40 in the diagram) Pumped in 15 inches vac. and it opened. It bled off after about 30 seconds. My next step is to get a new yellow Check valve at the forward firewall where the engine source hose plugs in. I've been replacing that valve with 3 junk yard valves with no change. Many people talk about a check valve after the center pod. Early Gen 1 diagrams show a check valve but the 88 has none inside the dash. Only this yellow one at the firewall. The gang of seven or vacuum solenoid shows ten inches of vacuum coming out of it to this center vent pod when the thumb wheel is rotated to max cool. . Is that at spec? I rotate to max heat and the solenoid drops to zero vacuum which appears normal. 15 inches applied, it opens the door, ten inches, door doesn't open.