I have never been impressed with the rubber vacuum hose found on older Mercedes diesels. I don't think the engineers ever anticipated how much abuse or how long these hoses would need to last! Over the years I have seen way too many vacuum related problems lead back to a failed hose connector or short hose length. The combination of high heat generated in the engine compartment as well as both internal and external engine oil contamination are the chief causes of its early demise.
New in 2010! After years of receiving email and forum requests for tech help, the problems most customers have and the questions they ask start to follow a very predictable pattern. So to better help you find out what is wrong with your Mercedes and what parts you need to fix it we are launching a new WHATS WRONG section on our website. Each category will list the common problems, what steps need to be taken to fix them and links to the parts and instructions needed to tackle the repairs. Where applicable you will be directed to one of Kents kits or manuals for help in diagnosing your problem. We know that isolating the problem can be more frustrating than fixing it!!!
NEWS FLASH! We are currently shipping our manuals, parts and repairs kits to customers all over the world from our Headquarters here in the USA. If you reside in a foreign country, you are welcome to browse our online catalog and place items of interest in your shopping cart totaling $75.00 or more. BUT, due to the complexity of and constantly changing international shipping rates, you will not be able to checkout automatically.
Two replacement levers as shown. NOTE: Often the valves are still ok but the lever is worn off.
The vacuum switching valve or valves is/are found on most Mercedes diesels from 1980 to 1985. 240D, 300D, 300CD, 300TD and 300SD. Some 85 models do not use this type of valve. On most turbo diesel engines there are two of these located under the black plastic cover on the center top of the valve cover. Most of the time you will find the lever arms worn off. Others may be full of vacuum leaks due to heat and age. These valves control important functions related to the EGR valve and the automatic transmission. Here is a picture of what the valve looks like (note lever is held on by steel drive pin - easy to replace).
Complete kit for the DIY mechanic. Includes repair parts, special tools and step-by-step illustrated instructions.
Rebuilding a diesel vacuum pump can be a very time consuming and frustrating job if you don't have the right instructions, tools and equipment. What should only be a 2 to 3 hour job can easily become an all day "big wrench dance:. it can begin with rounding out the heads of the hex heads bolts that hold the pump to the engine block, then proceed to fighting to remove a stuck piston from the pump cylinder and even ending with having to do it all over again because you did not put the pump together properly.
This kit will help prevent these headaches by giving you the correct parts, tools and instructions to get the job done fast and right the first time. This kit includes the following:
Save up to 50% and more. Some items listed are overstock, others are closeout, and a few are new old stock parts that we will not be able to get again. Our clearance prices for new parts are based on old dealer costs so this is your chance to save!
To browse clearance items by model click one of the links below
These rubber end plugs can be used to cap off your vacuum on the end of a line or on certain components. FOR USE ON VACUUM SYSTEM ONLY. These are NOT to be used on fuel injectors.
When was the last time you knocked one of your vacuum lines off around the oil filter housing, only to discover when you tried to reattached it that the fittings were swollen and would just not stay connected? This is a L shaped fitting that fits 115, 116, 123, and 126 chassis.
When was the last time you knocked one of your vacuum lines off around the oil filter housing, only to discover when you tried to reattached it that the fittings or hose were swollen and would just not stay connected? Here is some extra vacuum hose to fix your problem. Fits 115, 116, 123, and 126 chassis.
ONE meter cut piece.
Fits the following: All 116 123 and 126 Chassis Diesels from 1977-1985. This is a brand new Genuine Mercedes Steering lock vacuum valve that is located on the back of your ignition lock assembly. The vacuum lines that control your engine shutoff go from the engine compartment to this valve at the lock assembly. If you are having problems with the car not shutting off this could be the culprit!
Each unit is cleaned and presonally tested by Kent while mounted in a diesel. These are no longer available new. WARNING: DO NOT purchase this item to correct a shift problem unless you are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN this it is the problem. There could be a number of other vacuum related issues that can cause hard or soft shifts. Troubleshooting this problem is completely covered in my manual on 617 Transmission Tuning. You will also need a vacuum gauge and fittings. If you install this unit on your engine before you test your vacuum system you can damage it. You must understand how to hook this up and adjust it properly or we can not warranty that it will work on your car.
Applies to 240D 300D 300CD 300TD 300SD Diesel
This guide is written specifically for owners of 123 and 126 diesels from 1977 up to 1984. There are some sections that apply to the 115 and 116 chassis but it is not specific to those models. For the 1985 (and some late 1984 California models) with trap oxidizer it does cover testing the vacuum pump and other basics but does not cover specific vacuum hose routing and connection issues for these complex models.
Diagnose door lock problems on 1977 to 1985 240D 300D 300CD 300TD 280E 280CE
For all 123 chassis cars with vacuum door locks from 1977 to 1985. Now you can finally fix those pesky vacuum door locks yourself! Failure is almost always caused by vacuum leaks in the system. This 24 page manual with 55 photographs will take you step by step through the process of quickly finding and repairing those leaks. Starting at the firewall and working all the way to the trunk/deck of your car, I will show you how to isolate the problems even without having to take the door panels off. (Book is bound with smudge resistant plastic covers)
Excellent USED vacuum pump assembly. NO cracks or damage in housing or cover. NEW pump to engine block GASKET and gasket sealant included at no extra charge. IMPORTANT NOTE: Pump does not include EXTERNAL CHECK VALVE. You can use the valve from your existing pump or CLICK HERE to purchase separately.
Genuine O.E.M. Mercedes part. Hard to find rubber connector for multiple vacuum lines located at top of valve cover. This is a brand new genuine Mercedes OEM part. Fits 123 and 126 chassis with 5 cylinder diesels from 1981 to 1984. 300D, 300CD, 300TD and 300SD and late 1981-83 240d. Leaks at this connector will cause leaks in your vacuum system leading to fault EGR valve and possible hard or jerky transmission shifting. Easy to replace. Check to see if yours in cracked or if the hard vacuum lines do not hold tight in the rubber. If you plastic pin block that this plugs into is brittle or broken CLICK HERE to order that part as well.
This is a brand new 3 way Vacuum change over valve. It is located in the engine compartment on a number of different chassis Mercedes, both gas and diesel models, from the 70s up through the late 90s. It has multiple uses such as EGR valve function, transmission control, etc.
Vacuum enters the top straight metal nipple. With power off to the solenoid vacuum is routed out the bottom the the black plastic right angle nipple. When power is applied it shuts off to the right angle nipple and is then directed out the straight black plastic nipple.We have finally found a source for the engine compartment hard vacuum line! This vacuum line is white and is 4 mm in size, and is made by Cohline. It is used on all 107 108 109 110 111 113 114 115 116 123 124 126 chassis. You can use it to replace any hard vacuum line on the engine. We are selling it PRE-CUT PER METER, so if you need more than that just change the quantity in the shopping cart. Please note that of you order more than one meter, you will get multiple cut one Meter pieces.
FITS ALL 123 chassis cars from 1977 to 1985 and ALL 126 Chassis cars from 1981-1991, both Gasoline and Diesel models! If you are not sure of your application just pop your hood to see if you have one inline on the drivers side of the engine compartment. This check valve helps to hold vacuum in your door lock system. If not working properly vacuum can leak out of the system after you shut the engine off. Check by blowing and then sucking on the check valve. Air should only pass one way.