Thanks, I'll certainly get in there once the car is back from getting the oil cooler hoses replaced, maybe even this weekend.
Thanks for what else to look for first, even if the rubber hose was disconnected.
As far as the pin, this wouldn't be the first time a zip tie has solved a problem with my 300TD. The wiper motor in the back hatch has a plug that was fixed with that little piece of plastic magic.
We'll see, and I'll post back.

I can do stuff like this by myself, but my driveway is on a hill. I don't have a ton of tools, and I have a good relationship with my local mechanic who I trust to do the oil cooler hoses. We talked about it at length before I brought it to him.

Anything that severely disables the car if I screw it up, I'm not doing without help unless I'm positive I can do it right.

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85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance
"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."