What is the thing in the rear wing above the filler?

[mjhmjh2]

Poking around the car (I have no owners manual), I opened the side pod where the medical kit is. There is a strange black pot with what looks like a couple of breathers connected and a red plunger. Like a boy in a sweet shop I had to press the red thing, didnt seem to do anything so I returned it to the original position.

What is it?

Matthew
1986 250 TD (E)

 

[television]

I recommend that you open up all all of the sections, and you will learn much about the car

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=124185_506&M=602.912&GA=722.414&GM=717.411412&

 

[jberks]

Its the emergency fuel filler lock release. The 2 pipes are the vacuum system and the pot is the actuator.
I guess the red knob is connected to the lock plunger.

 

[mjhmjh2]

ahahah, it all makes sense now - I assume that it uses engine vacuum down those yellow pipes that I also found going under the centre console, and that's also why the central locking is so quiet

Thanks for the link very useful

Matthew

 

[jberks]

and that's also why the central locking is so quiet
Matthew

Yup - and they've done away with it on the latest models and replaced it with a clunky electric mechanism. Backwards setp IMO. I always liked the silent locking.

 

[wireman]

It uses suck and blow, not from the engine but from a pump under the rear seat.
Inside the pump assy there is an electronic timer/pressure sensor that cuts off the pump, If you disconnect and reconnect the battery the pump will run and lock all the doors for you a dead handy feature if the keys are inside the car while a new battery is fitted.
It is the Hella pneumatic system, it is fitted to some porche and audis as well as most older MBs.