1971 280SE Unknown Part

[Thunder-71]

Under Left, driver side, fender there is a part made of black plastic that has 3 rows of 5 round balls about 3 inches diameter each ball, casted together as one unit with a vacuum tube attached to it dimensions are 14x8 inches. Can you tell what is it? It is on a 1971 280SE 4.5 A/T with A/C. Thank you.

[TZ_280SEL]

Vacuum reservoir so your locks work without the engine running.

[Thunder-71]

Originally Posted by TZ_280SEL

Vacuum reservoir so your locks work without the engine running.

Thank you! There is also another one 15x10x3 inches with 2 thin lines on one end and a thicker one on the other end hanging on the side of the right quarter panel, inside the trunk, I assume it is also a vacuum reservoir?

[Mike D]

If it is a hard plastic tank with two thin lines and one large plastic line, then it is the vapor recovery tank for the fuel system.




Item # 150.

[Thunder-71]

Originally Posted by Mike D

If it is a hard plastic tank with two thin lines and one large plastic line, then it is the vapor recovery tank for the fuel system.

Attachment 162749


Item # 150.

Yes it is item 150 in your diagram. Thank you and a have a nice weekend.

[hbguy]

Originally Posted by TZ_280SEL

Vacuum reservoir so your locks work without the engine running.

I LOVED that feature on my 1972. Miss it. Way ahead of its time.

[etype74]

My 73 280sel vacuum locks work for a minute or two after shutdown, but then stop working thereafter. Do you think I have a leak in that reservor? It seems obvious, right?

[rumb]

It's usually the lock diaphragms. Could also be the rubber connectors. There is also a master switch on drivers door that can fail.

Time to take the door cards off and investigate.

[Idle]

Originally Posted by rumb

It's usually the lock diaphragms. Could also be the rubber connectors. There is also a master switch on drivers door that can fail.

Time to take the door cards off and investigate.

These diaphragms are a normal wear item. I have replaced a lot of them over the years. It only takes the smallest rip or tear in the rubber to make them fail.

I don't know if they are still available.

They are a bit weird to change out due to the way the whole vacuum lock is made, so take some photos of them before tearing them down. It is an easy repair once you have them out of the door, and that's not hard to do.

When you start replacing the rubber you will see what I mean.

[etype74]

thanks guys. when the weather cools down i'll attack this project.