What the heck is that thing?

[eefox49]

I have an '86 (built in '85) 500SL. Something came loose behind the driver's side headlights and pushed the wheel well liner into the tire. I can just barely see through the gap between the wheel well liner and it looks like some sort of canister. I think maybe it's the supply tank for the climate control, but I'm just not sure. I would really like to know what it is before tearing into that part of the car. It's a little hard to get to. I pushed the liner off the tire and everything's fine. Maybe I'll just leave well enough alone. Any ideas???

[aublutiger]

I bet it is....I have a 76 450SL...I have two vacuum tanks, one large one on the passenger side and one smaller one on the drivers side. Not sure what the relationship is between the two......

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/vintage-mercedes-forum/36292d1158313213-76-450sl-any-help-gremlin-vacuum.jpg

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by eefox49

I have an '86 (built in '85) 500SL. Something came loose behind the driver's side headlights and pushed the wheel well liner into the tire. I can just barely see through the gap between the wheel well liner and it looks like some sort of canister. I think maybe it's the supply tank for the climate control, but I'm just not sure. I would really like to know what it is before tearing into that part of the car. It's a little hard to get to. I pushed the liner off the tire and everything's fine. Maybe I'll just leave well enough alone. Any ideas???

That is the charcoal canistor. Last I checked they were about $120.00 new. This can be replaced by removing the plastic inner fender. The canister is just on a slide mount and sliding it up will releas it. It is possible that yours just fell off and you may be able to put it back in.

John Roncallo