My hood latch disappeared...
 

So I went to check my oil today, popped the hood from the inside, and I got to the front to pull the latch out of the grill... only to discover that the latch isnt there any more. So is there any way to release the hood without the latch, or do I have to jury-rig it until a new latch arrives?

If this is a Mercedes, I would reach in through the grille with a coathanger, needlenose pliers or something & pull on the lever. ;)

Lift the hood slightly and the latch will pop out the grill opening..

My 1990 300TE had the same problem. Turned out that the hood pull just broke off (it IS plastic). Use a coat hanger bent with a hook on the end...insert it through the same hold in grill where the "pull" normally extrudes...reach in and pull it forward.

I bought a brand new one from ebay for less than 10 with shipping. Installs easily...your back in business.

FASTLANE had my hood release handle for $7.26. They are easy to break off if you use them to pull "up" when you shouldn't. I always keep the bent coathanger in the car.