Factory's routing of coolant hose through valve cover breather hose?
 

Why?

Car in question is a 16V. The engineers must of had a reason? Was it for emmisions?

As all thing Mercedes, the hose is over priced. Mine is cracked and needs replacing and I was considering separating the 2 lines.

Thoughts?

Tinker

It's been a long time since I've worked on a 16 valve MB, so I can't say for certain what the purpose of the coolant hose is as it relates to the ventilation system. Some of the new MB's though have a heating element in the breather hose to keep condensation from freezing. Perhaps this is what the engineers had in mind?