Lost Clutch Reservoir Cap - Where can I source one?

[Andres G]

Hi Folks,

Last weekend I was having a photographer do some shots of my SL, and while she was going about her business, my OCD kicked in and I began checking fluids (I know, I'll have to talk to the shrink about that...).   

Anyway, as she turned to pictures of the engine compartment, I got out of the way and in doing so, I misplaced the plastic cap of the Clutch Fluid Reservoir.  If I recall correctly, it is white with a light blue center to it.

Does anyone here have a part number or place to source it?  I am ok replacing the whole reservoir, but could not find one that looked exactly the same as mine online.  In the interest of MY accurate parts, I have a 1967 250SL - Italian Market car.

Thanks in advance!

[Pawel66]

Cap for 113043: A 000 295 02 37, but it was replaced by A 000 431 54 33 - I am not sure, but this replacement will work, but it may not look like the original one (it is $10, so you may get it quickly and use it while you search for the correct replacement if this one is not correct).

Seal: A 000 997 68 41 - but I do not think it is sold separately.

Strainer (sieve): A 000 295 00 23 replaced by A 000 431 43 34

SLS do not have it, but they state the replacement number above as the proper number.

Here you have something, but I would try Mercedes: https://www.niemoeller.de/en/w113/w113/B044/290/d29121

Since you are in the US: https://www.authenticclassics.com/Cap-Brake-Clutch-Fluid-Reservoir-Mercedes-280sl-p/auth-006486.htm

[Benz Dr.]

White cap is not correct. I believe a black cap with a smooth top is the one you want. It looks different than the one used on the brake master which is similar but it has a blue portion in the center of the cap.

[mbzse]

.../...looks different than the one used on the brake master which is similar but it has a blue portion in the center of the cap

Just so.  However, in Summer of 1967 (late type 250SL production initiated at Chassis No 2980) the double chamber brake fluid container with two floats and electrical wiring (for low level alarm) was introduced, replacing the single chamber type. This double later type container had an all black cap, so both caps became alike at this point. Photos attached

[450sl]

Wasn't the blue cap continued for later years on the clutchreservoir ?

[mbzse]

Wasn't the blue cap continued for later years on the clutchreservoir ?

Never was a blue dot on cap for clutch reservoir

[Andres G]

Never was a blue dot on cap for clutch reservoir

I have to look for older pictures, but I am almost certain my cap was black with the blue center like the first of the two above.

[Andres G]

Cap for 113043: A 000 295 02 37, but it was replaced by A 000 431 54 33 - I am not sure, but this replacement will work, but it may not look like the original one (it is $10, so you may get it quickly and use it while you search for the correct replacement if this one is not correct).

Thank you Pawel.  I will get this in the meantime until I can get the exact original.  I am going to list the car for sale and I know some people are very discerning when it comes to things like these.

[Andres G]

White cap is not correct. I believe a black cap with a smooth top is the one you want. It looks different than the one used on the brake master which is similar but it has a blue portion in the center of the cap.

Exactly! Now if I can only find where to get one...

[mbzse]

.../...I am almost certain my cap was black with the blue center.../...

It may well have had such a cap, when you bought it. Any PO could have replaced that item.

Anyway, when your 230SL left the factory in Stuttgart (Sindelfingen) it had an all black cap on the clutch reservoir

[scoot]

I have them with two different shades of blue centers.  One is more of a sky blue like is shown, the other is more of a medium almost wedgewood blue.

[Benz Dr.]

The early black cap looks different than the one shown. More convex on top and a smooth finish.

[mbpaul]

I have owned my 1966 230SL since new.  It was procuded in September, 1965, but sold to me as a 1966 model in February, 1966.  It has a double container brake fluid reservoir so perhaps USA had this type of brake master cylinders before others.  The brake cylinder reservoir has the Ate cap with the blue center as shown in mbzse's  post.  The brake fluid cylinder has a plain black cap but it is a Schafer cap with different lettering than the on in the post by mbzse.

[66andBlue]

My 1964 230SL has the same caps as described by mbpaul including the Schafer screw cap.

[Benz Dr.]

My 1964 230SL has the same caps as described by mbpaul including the Schafer screw cap.

Those are exactly what I was talking about.

[Andres G]

It may well have had such a cap, when you bought it. Any PO could have replaced that item.

Anyway, when your 230SL left the factory in Stuttgart (Sindelfingen) it had an all black cap on the clutch reservoir

Bingo!  I now know what happened...  I had been scratching my head about the missing cap incident, as I am always careful with these things, making sure I know where I put everything at all times.  Looking at some pictures, I realized the black cap that goes on the clutch reservoir, was actually on the brakes reservoir when the pic was taken, and the clutch reservoir itself has no cap on it.

What happened was that I took the cap from the brake reservoir and set it on a concrete column, then immediately checked the clutch fluid and placed the cap from it on the brake fluid reservoir.  I am certain the one that is missing had the light blue cap, but I was confused thinking it belonged on the clutch reservoir as that is the one with the missing cap.

Thanks for clarifying.  Now just need to know where to get that one.