How does the "rubberball valve" function?

[66andBlue]

Hello all,
the SLS web site identifies the rubber ball shown in the attached picture as a "ball valve, rubber, water run-off".  :?:
The one on my car was almost completely full with sand an dirt and needs to be raplaced since the neck is broken.  I am wondering, where is water coming from that needs to drain through this valve? How and when does this valve open?  Is this one of those maintenance items that gets rarely checked, if ever?

Download Attachment: Rubberball_Valve.jpg
38.81 KB

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[ja17]

Hello Alfred,
It simply allows water to drain but will not allow water back in. Any water entering the air intake vent in front of the windsreen will escape through these rubber valves.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Benz Dr.]

This thing has an unkown fuction. It's designed to keep mud wasps out that would otherwise build nests further up the pipe and plug the drains off. The right side doesn't seem to have one on any cars I've looked at.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[mbzse]

quote:Originally posted by Joe Alexander

[Ball valve]../.. simply allows water to drain but will not allow water back in. Any water entering the air intake vent in front of the windsreen will escape through these rubber valves

A further purpose of these rubber ball valves is to keep exhaust fumes from entering the ventilation and thus getting into the interior of the car. In this sense it is important to fit them.

The same type of valves are fitted to the sedans of the mid sixties also.
/Hans in Sweden

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by Benz Dr.
 ... It's designed to keep mud wasps out ...

Dan,
that sems to be a good reason to me .. but it does a lousy job keeping the 'no-see-um' out.  

I am also curious why the right side doesn't have this baffle. Perhaps it actually allows the water to flow downward against the head wind coming through the engine bay when driving. On the right side the outlet opens into an area that is more in the wind shadow. Does that make sense?
Hans, I hope you are correct too.  One of the first things I did when I got the car a couple of years ago was to look for leaks to find out why sometimes exhaust fumes would reach the cabin. But I could never find anything obvious. Maybe the new rubber ball will solve that problem!

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[al_lieffring]

I believe the right side doesn't have a ball valve because it is too close to the exaust and could catch fire. The right side drain is curved towards the frame to keep the end covered.

113-042-10-014715
built 11 Jan 66
904/396 blue, Ivory Tex
condition- rust bucket

[Naj ✝︎]

Alfred,
A bit off topic but where is the brake booster (vacuum servo) on your car  :?:

That cylinder also looks different to any I've seen.... :oops:

Download Attachment: Esn033.JPG
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naj

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by naj

Alfred,
 .. A bit off topic but where is the brake booster (vacuum servo) on your car  :?:  ...

Hello Naj,
It is above the power steering box, or cylinder as you call it.  Have a look:
Download Attachment: BrakeBooster.jpg
60.78 KB

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[Naj ✝︎]

Thanks, Alfred  :oops:

naj

68 280SL