Did a search, but could not find it, but I have read in the past something here about keeping leaves/debris cleaned out from under the underhood fuse box on a Mercedes- particularly the W126, but I assume it applies to all models.

I took a look at mine the other day and I could see leaves. It is very tight in there and a I could barely get my hand between the fender/fuse block. I did get some leaves out of there though. They were not packed full in there, but definitely some there. Only a few remain. Would just leaving a few in there hurt it? If so, what is the trick of getting all of them out of there? Water hose? I think a vacuum cleaner with an attachment may get some, but not all. I do not see where a few would hurt, or would it?

Also- how important is it to get the leaves/debris from under the battery tray? Is that also a fire hazard, or is nothing under that one?

Thanks in advance.

I personally think that you should disturb all the colonies of the leaves with a hard wire and then by the help of a domestic or Commercial vacum cleaner suck them up.
Thats the best way of getting rid of them.

Under the fuse block I wouldn't be using a "hard wire"; but rather, something non-metallic. There are a lot of electrical connections under there; some are of the "always hot" variety, I believe.

Compressed air would be a wise choice and blow it out.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

I just get the vac in there and slurp them out.

I guess there is a couple of good reasons, 1. potential for fire - though fairly unlikely unless there were lots in there, they were all dry, and you have lots of sparking shorts. 2. they get wet and sludgy and start a little rust habit - IMO much more likely.

They are just messy and untidy - get rid of them.

Cheers

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1988 W126 420 SE

beware of fundamentalists!

More than just messy and untidy, leaves can compost, form acids, and rot the adjacent areas from poultice corrosion.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

meaning:

the fenders'll rust off??

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1982 300D (w123, "Grey Car")
1982 300D (w123, "Blue Car")
2001 Ford F150 "Clifford" (The Big Red Truck)
1997 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
1996 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
Previous Vehicles:
1995 E300D, 1980 300SD, 1992 Buick Century, 2005 Saturn Ion