I assume you can remove the top engine cover, the one with the silver Mercedes inset by just pulling it off. I do not see any fasteners holding it on, but it does not seem to come off very easily. Is there a method to remove it without damaging it?

As I recall, I just slightly pulled out on the sides and pulled up to remove it.

__________________

1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible

It took quite a bit of force, more than I expected to use, but it did come off. The bottom of the cover has four slender plastic rods with ball shapes at the ends about an inch long and about 3/16" in diameter that extend from the bottom of the cover slightly inboard at four locations. The cover with its four rods at the bottom presses into four rubber receiving mounts with holes in their centers. You line up these four mounting points and press the cover down until it locks into place. I put a little silicon grease on each of them to make it easier to remove in the future.