As maintenance on my 83 300TDT, I remove the air cleaner assembly and clean all related parts.

Note: the rubber mounts tend to get oil soaked and break. They are cheap in the parts section here.

Also, the sheet metal mount that the above rubbers bolt to also tends to break (or be completely missing in my case).

Some members here have gone so far as to change the air cleaner system and move to an aftermarket filter. The aftermarket filter, IMHO, may flow more air, but allows more dirt in the process. The greatest benefit is having more access to your motor. For this reason I am looking into alternate air filtering options and relocating the assembly. (Putting the stock air cleaner on the shelf).



best of luck.

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85 300D 3 pedal. Current project.
83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.