Hi Folks
just bought another old Merc. Coils cover panel missing - could this have been removed on purpose to help cooling in that part of the engine? Is this a good idea?

Hi,
I don't think this is a good Idea.
The cover itself is designed to be a heatsink too.
Also, it holds mechanically the coils in place to avoid minor jumps if the driving gets tough, in other words causing possible misfire.
I have an E320 95 and believe the general arrangement is the same.
The threats that hold the cover down, strip easily and it could well be that yours are stripped and this is the reason why it is missing.
In that case you would have to put 6mm threat inserts, after taping, into the new 7.2mm threat.

Not seeing the threats, the above is just a wild guess, but it might give you an idea.

__________________
Mostly, I don't know notin, I just know where to look.
I am looking back, to over 30 years in Electronics Design.
Electrons don't care if they move in a car, computer or relay!

95 W124 E320 M104.992 - Because, I love to repair, naaaah!
Over 221,000 Miles
Cheers,
Norbert

Minor correction, the w123 was the last e klasse equipped with the 280 engine.

The w124, sold in the USA for the 1986-1995 model years, instead - for the six cylinder gasser choice, got the 300 engine, commonly known as the m103 engine, and were very long lasting engines, though head gasket problems were sometimes reported, and at freeway speeds the 300 motor revved a little higher than the 420 engine.

For the 1993-1995 w124s, common issues that can be pricey are the throttle actuator, the German gov't. mandated "biodegradable" wiring harness and the HVAC (evaporator etc).

Other than that, if well kept, they can go to interstellar mileage, are considered the LAST e klasse cars built to a cost no object standard by the German engineers, unlike the w210 that replaced it in 1996, which - and for all e klasse cars since were built to more of a price point, unfortunately.

That's how come I got a '95 e420. I believe them to be the last of the best ones.

Good luck with the new car. Pictures are always appreciated...

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Thanks Oldtrucker. I have already sourced a used panel and installed it so for once I'm doing the right thing!