Enagine bay flaps???
 

I was changing the oil on the diesel (124 609.9 engine 1995 E300D) and noticed a pair of flas on the driver side beside the A/C compressor and a single set of flaps opposite. The do not seem to have any actuator on them so far as I can see and have a fairly sturdy spring controlling them. I tried to open them and the spring seems quite strong. I would not think that air pressure could open them. Are they there for a different model? What is their purpose?

I believe the SDL has the same flaps which open when the engine compartment gets to temp.

that strong spring you see is the thermostat, for the flaps to function your car should have both underbelly plastic panels in place. When the temperature increases inside the engine room these panels open up to exhaust the hot air quickly. MB went a little overboard with this car.

Im looking for the belly panels but have not come across them yet in a Jyard, New ones from MB are about 500 bucks.

My '87 300D Turbo (W124, OM603) has only the double flaps on the driver's side. As Z. says, when the engine compartment gets good and hot, the thermostatic spring opens the flaps to vent some of the heat. Although Mercedes labels (in EPC) the belly panels as "antinoise capsules," it's clear that the engineers' intention was to help the engine get up to operating temperature as quickly as possible, for efficiency and smog reasons. Those of us who actually have belly panels on our cars know they're also good for catching oil leaks but I haven't noticed any difference in noise whether the panels are on or off.

Z., I hope you can find a set for your car.

Jeremy

Cool. The Thermostat thing make a lot of sense. My panel is still in place although I am fixing it now. The front passenger screw hole broke out so I am trying some JB weld on it. Im going to try and get it on before the wife foes to work tonight.

Thanks for the info.

On my '99 E300TD while I have had the panels off for several days to do a drain, refill and check for leaks on the transmission I did notice an increase in noise. My factory noise absorbing layer has deteriorated and I replaced it with a layer of
http://images.lowes.com/product/conv...78023335xl.jpg

I am happy with the results.