Author Topic: Not sure at what this is.  (Read 8840 times)

CJHenderson

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Not sure at what this is.
« on: October 14, 2015, 20:55:43 »
Not sure at what this is but it's just over the steering control box. The item hooked to an outlet is a rubber cover that has a torn hole in it. I have no clue as to what it is need help on identifying.
1970 280SL/8 W113 101624 miles.
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66andBlue

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2015, 21:21:32 »
There are several theories for its usefulness or purpose:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6092.0
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

280SE Guy

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2015, 16:53:23 »
In the trucking industry it's called a kazoo.
1971 280SE, 6 Cyl MFI, Anthracite Grey with Grey MB Tex

Pinder

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2015, 12:17:54 »
thats interesting. Its a funny looking thing. I thought it was for water runoff in a controlled manner. it drains onto the power steering box/rack and i would think without it water could splashs around too much and not onto the channels on the pump and safely drain off. but to stop wasps getting in might another idea. however wouldn't the wasps use the other drain that has no such cover?
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

Mike K

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2015, 19:21:14 »
Over the summer I was getting hot air from the engine into the cabin, even with the heating closed. Purchased one of these from SLS and fitted it on the driver's side- problem solved.

Mike





« Last Edit: October 18, 2015, 19:40:17 by Mike K »
Feb. 1971 Mercedes 280SL Auto  LHD (Last of W113 Series)
Aug. 1989 Mercedes R107 300SL RHD (Last of R107 Series)
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Jonny B

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2015, 22:17:45 »
Do you really need that cheese slicer clamp?? It will cut into the rubber and shorten the life of the part. The rubber ball should just be held in place with the slip fit.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Pinder

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2015, 23:09:09 »
I have to agree those clamps make a mess of rubber. Someone fitted those to all of the hoses on my car and Im buying new hoses.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.

66andBlue

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2015, 01:48:00 »
Do you really need that cheese slicer clamp?? It will cut into the rubber and shorten the life of the part. The rubber ball should just be held in place with the slip fit.

Jon,
that is correct but only if you buy the rubber bulb from Daimler with the correct ID=15mm. Problem is that it will cost you only about $100!  :o
Thus most people buy the one for the W108 or W109 chassis that has an ID of 20mm since you can get it for a lot less. I bought the cheaper, wider one and put a PVC tubing sleeve over the pipe to make it fit without a clamp.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2015, 19:59:12 by 66andBlue »
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

Jonny B

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2015, 13:36:17 »
True enough, I bought the proper one from our friend Dave G and it was $76. Looks right though!
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

66andBlue

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2015, 16:06:14 »
I paid $9.80 and believe that even an eagle-eyed judge wont see the difference. ;)
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

wwheeler

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2015, 05:11:02 »
On a W111, there are two of these on the firewall just above the pedal linkage rod. They intentionally drain water from either side of the air cowl but never thought about them keeping out exhaust fumes. That is a good! The part number I use is 110 831 01 32.

Not sure the W108 has these as the air cowl is much wider and I believe the water drains behind the splash shields with tubes.
Wallace
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66andBlue

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #11 on: October 25, 2015, 20:10:30 »
Hi Wallace,
the p/n 110 831 01 32 has the correct 15mm ID and fits a W113. It was used on 110/111/112 sedans, coupes, cabriolets from circa 1964 and on W113.
It was for a long time NLA but is now available again from Mercedes at a list price of $104.

Then there is the other one with a 20mm diameter: p/n 108 831 01 32 - used on 108/109.
I do not know where it is installed on these cars but can ask Dave G. if you want to know.  Or perhaps Bob the "280SE Guy" might know.
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

280SE Guy

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2015, 12:38:58 »
Part number 108 831 01 32 is located on the passenger side of the engine. There is only one on a W108 for the cowl drain. Wallace is right about the drain inside the driver fender splash shield but only on the drivers side. Pictures might help you to visualize this.

I bought the 108 831 01 32 in July of this year dealer list was $9.50.
1971 280SE, 6 Cyl MFI, Anthracite Grey with Grey MB Tex

wwheeler

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2015, 14:09:00 »
Interesting. I would have thought they would have used the drain tube on both sides behind the shield on a W108. Wonder what the advantage of the "ball" drain is over a simple tube?

$104? Unbelievable! I bought a pair back a few years ago and I know they were not that high.

Must be some good rubber!
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

280SE Guy

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2015, 14:17:00 »
The ball valve (kazoo) keeps the bugs out (supposedly).
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mbzse

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #15 on: October 26, 2015, 15:22:48 »
Quote from: 280SE Guy
The ball valve (kazoo) keeps the bugs out
As well as they serve to prevent toxic and bad-smelling (exhaust and other) fumes from the engine bay entering the passenger compartment
/Hans in Sweden
.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2015, 17:28:11 by mbzse »
/Hans S

280SE Guy

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #16 on: October 26, 2015, 15:38:25 »
As well as they serve to prevent toxic (exhaust and other) fumes from the engine bay entering the passenger compartment
/Hans in Sweden
.

If you have toxic fumes in your engine compartment you have other issues !
1971 280SE, 6 Cyl MFI, Anthracite Grey with Grey MB Tex

wwheeler

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #17 on: October 26, 2015, 20:33:12 »
Why didn't they just port it out to the side behind the splash shield like the driver's side?
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

280SE Guy

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #18 on: October 26, 2015, 20:39:55 »
I don't know, possibly because the radio antenna is located on the passenger side and there would be interference with it ?

Regards,

280SE Guy

1971 280SE, 6 Cyl MFI, Anthracite Grey with Grey MB Tex

Benz Dr.

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #19 on: October 29, 2015, 14:27:31 »
The lowest part of the box is at each front corner so having the drains there kind of makes sense. The 108 is much wider so the drains are at each end.
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hauser

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Re: Not sure at what this is.
« Reply #20 on: February 18, 2019, 03:57:23 »
I'm sorry for reviving this old post.

When Gernold started to disassemble my car the tube was completely blocked with dirt!  I believe this to be true that some sort of insect was the culprit.  My car still doesn't have this but I'll be calling Tom Hansen very soon!

This is such an awesome group!