What the heck is this thing? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 05-15-2002, 12:09 AM

I am slowly getting to find all the quirks of an 1976 California 240D now making its home in Canada. I found, just to the left of the clutch pedal, a smaller black metal pedal that has a clear plastic fuel line of oil line attached to it with a rubber diaphram under the pedal. It is attached to bottom part of the firewall close to the floor. It appears to have the letters VDO stamped on it. Is this an add on to help cold start or what???

Thanks
David

MikeTangas · #2 05-15-2002, 12:51 AM

The next time the engine is running. Congratulations, you just located the early Mercedes Benz intermittent wiper system, no more need to push on/off at the combo switch for a swipe or two of the windshield.

And if you car is lucky enough to have the washer resevoir and hoses intact it also doubles as the washer pump. As long as the internal bladder in the foot lever is intact, as well as the resevoir and hoses (and check valve), every time you mash it, it will pump washer fluid and activate the wipers.

#3 05-15-2002, 10:22 AM

Thank you!!! I feel silly asking now but I do need help. So appreciate your gracious reply.

David

HGV · #4 05-15-2002, 03:38 PM

Not as silly as I felt when I tried to clean the spray nozzle's on my 1969 220D by pressing the foot pump hard until the pressure popped it off and emptied the contents of the bladder (the washing fluid bladder, not mine) on my socks and shoe. This is a situation when more is not better.

whunter · #5 03-07-2013, 08:10 PM

I am cross linking all of the windshield washer foot pump threads.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/219540-most-overpriced-replacement-part-we-have-winner-foot-pump-washer.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/212495-windshield-washer-foot-pump.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/303938-75-300d-washer-lines-what-mess-photos.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/302671-windshield-washer-lines.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/62848-windshield-washer-operation.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/37865-what-heck-thing.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/11806-foot-pump-what-thing-my-left-foot.html

.

dieselmania · #6 03-07-2013, 08:23 PM

This reminds me of a product I saw years ago that had a long cylindrical tank that you mounted above the radiator (when cars has tons of extra space under the hood now I am telling my age) with spray nozzles and a bladder inside the cabin on the floor that you would mash with your foot to cool the radiator when climbing a steep hill.

kerry · #7 03-07-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselmania

This reminds me of a product I saw years ago that had a long cylindrical tank that you mounted above the radiator (when cars has tons of extra space under the hood now I am telling my age) with spray nozzles and a bladder inside the cabin on the floor that you would mash with your foot to cool the radiator when climbing a steep hill.

That is a very good idea.

Orv · #8 03-08-2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselmania

This reminds me of a product I saw years ago that had a long cylindrical tank that you mounted above the radiator (when cars has tons of extra space under the hood now I am telling my age) with spray nozzles and a bladder inside the cabin on the floor that you would mash with your foot to cool the radiator when climbing a steep hill.

Rally cars sometimes have water spray systems for their intercoolers, usually boost-activated.

Orv · #9 03-08-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HGV

Not as silly as I felt when I tried to clean the spray nozzle's on my 1969 220D by pressing the foot pump hard until the pressure popped it off and emptied the contents of the bladder (the washing fluid bladder, not mine) on my socks and shoe. This is a situation when more is not better.

Hah! Did the same basic thing in a '75 VW Bus, except in that case you pressurized the washer bottle with a tire pump so that the fluid would run out when you opened the valve. Pressurized it with my air compressor, pulled the lever, and the hose popped off, causing all the fluid to run down my pantleg.

On VW Bugs the pressure came from a hose to the spare tire valve, thus ensuring that the spare would be flat when you needed it next.

cornemuse · #10 03-09-2013, 12:09 PM

My old '64 Porsche 356 has a rubber bulb/pedal on the left side floor by the clutch pedal for the w/washers. Old V-Dubs had a hose from the spare tire to the w-wash water res. to pressurize it, they changed that after not too long, tho, , -corne-

Justinsyndicate · #11 03-09-2013, 01:01 PM

Tagged, my washer fluid doesn't spray when I depress the foot switch. Thank you for cross-linking related threads @whunter