Hmmm...between the front bumper and the front wheels, way low on body, and existing on both sides of car, there are louvers, that have a rod to open them up. Rectangular shape, several 'flaps' on each one. Cannot see any associated 'plumbing' to the devices. You can view them without jacking up the car ( from under the engine, not from street-side). So, anyone know what they are for? When do they open?

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'01 Escape 2.0 5 speed- 101k
'96 Cherokee 5 speed- 120k
'92 Mercedes 2.5l turbo diesel- 212k
'90 Aerostar ext Cargo 4.0- 29k
'02 ZX2- 93k
'98 F250 CNG- 54k

On my '87 300D Turbo (W124, OM603) there is a heat-operated vent on the driver's side of the engine compartment. It opens when it gets hot, helps to cool the engine compartment. Perhaps later models had it on both sides. I know it works because on hot days, in slow traffic (stop-and-go) the outside temp gauge goes way high when the vent opens (one of the reasons Mercedes moved the sensor in later models to the front of the bumper).

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970