I was servicing my '95 C280 - W202.028 recently and observed that there is a plastic cover about 3 inches tall attached accross the lower front side of the radiator below the bumper. I also read technical bulletin #88/18 that describes cutting out a section of the grille behind the licnese plate to allow cooling air to flow through. I checked the center section of the grille below the bumper behind the license plate and found no openings to allow air flow. Has anyone encountered this situation? Why would the lower part of the radiator be blocked by a cover? Seems to me you can use all of the air flow available.

Is there one on each side? Or is there just one in the center?
I don't know if you are talking about the flaps on each side, in which case are the tow hook coverings.

I have never noticed anything in the middle of the bumper.
What year was your 95 C280 manufactured ( and month) ?

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Most (if not all) of the european 1993-1997 W202's came with the closed front bumper. Whenever we build in an after market airco system, we need to cut slotted holes in the front bumper below the front license plate because of the risk of an overheated engine.

David, ARJAY is talking about the lower black part of the front bumper below the license plate between the brake ventilation ducts and (tow eye) covers. There are grill-like indents in the bumper (I don't know how to call these horizontal lines) and these are all closed. It is similar to the bumpers on the W201 and W124...these bumpers came totally closed or open with slotted holes (and covering panels) on the different engine models.

ARJAY, as long as your engine has no heating problems you do not need to do any bumper modification at all. This is something that can be done after the car has (over)heating problems. The after 97 models with the newer bumpers came with exchangeable bumper panels/gratings/grills.

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

MBenz,
Thanks for clarifying. I understand completely now! Yup, mine sure are closed.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)