'84 380SL - Something's Missing...

[BrooklynMatt]

Good Morning all, longtime lurker and first post of what will likely be many posts. I drove my "new" vehicle home yesterday in the 100 degree heat and was glad to see she made it the 50 highway miles without a problem. The car definitely needs some work but looks really nice and has what feels to be a strong drivetrain. With only 88K miles on the clock I'm optimistic.

Admittedly, I did't inspect the car as thoroughly as I should have before I purchased it and as I looked it over last night in my driveway I noticed something missing. On the PS fenderwell, right near the firewall, is a black,circular plastic bracket about 3 inches in diameter that obviously had something attached to it at some point. There is broken plastic left from whatever used to be there. Can anyone tell me what belongs there? If necessary I will post some pics.

Thanks in advance.

Matt.

[rs899]

I think you may be missing the monovalve (?). Seems like that's where it is on my '85.

You might want to add your location (still Brooklyn) and car to your sig.

You need to look into your timing chain and front subframe to see if you have any serious issues ahead.

[BrooklynMatt]

Thanks for the reply. The monovalve is there, right on or against the firewall. This mystery item would have been directly i/f/o it.

[ericdee]

Can we see some pics?

[neds380sl]

My '84 has the monovalve mounted on the firewall, then a 12"-15" gap followed by the radiator overflow tank, and immediatly in front of it the windshield washer fluid tank. Nothing is mounted on the side in between the overflow tank and the monovalve. Does this help?
Ned

[BrooklynMatt]

As long as I have eyes on it, can anyone confirm that the mono valve shouldn't have those two hose clamps on it? It's also hanging free so someone messed with it at some point. Lotta skeletons shakin' loose here!

[rs899]

Nope, that's not your monovalve, that's your aux water pump. Your monovalve looks to be there hidden behind the left fork of the washer hose. That looks right to me,although ours doesn't droop like that. Try some Viagra?

If you are talking about the bracket that is sitting flat below the aux water pump, that's not GI. Looks to me like a leftover alarm system horn. Get rid of it, if you wish.

[BrooklynMatt]

Great, thanks. So Seafoam for the fuel system and Viagra for Vacuum. Got it.

[tecqboy]

That clamp is diffinitly from an alarm horn base.....used to have one.

[meltedpanda]

looks to me like the ACCII system has been bypassed? removed?

[BrooklynMatt]

Panda,
Funny you should bring that up. I just finished removing the blower to r&r it since it was making a lot of noise. I found a lot of debris and some rust in the area surrounding the blower. It's obvious that someone has messed with the climate control system because the controls in the dash are not seated correctly. When you push a button the whole assembly pushes in. Also, when cruising around there is a whole lot of hot air blowing on my feet so it seems maybe the vents aren't closed. I'm going to search for a thread on where to begin with this but any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

Matt.

[meltedpanda]

here you go Matt, all you will want to know

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/281/cover.htm

[BrooklynMatt]

Thanks, Ron but mine is actually an ACC3 system with the horizontal buttons and the adjuster on the left. My research to this point is leading me to believe that my problem is a bad monovalve causing a constant heat situation. Probably one of my next things to fix since having the heat on when the OAT is 99F is not much fun.

Matt.

[meltedpanda]

OK great, my 82 had an ACCII, so I assumed -haha. well good luck, A stuck or sick monovalve is all hot or all cold, so you are probably correct, easy RR

[300sdToronto]

If you want me to take some high res pictures of the monovalve area give me your personal email via a PM on this board, and I will email some pics to you.