Here is a page from my parts book:

Untitled by ttownthomas, on Flickr

I'm trying to find this plug. Number 23. Is there someplace other than the dealership where I can index my page number etc and it spits out a part number?

You need access to the EPC (Electronic Parts Catalog) for part numbers. It will have a diagram just like that with the part numbers in another column.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

I would bet that the amount of time you spend looking for that part will add up and it will not be worth the little that you save finding it somewhere other than MB. I bet that thing is around 20$ from the dealer. My time is worth at least $25 hr. Your other best bet is used. I strongly doubt that piece is available aftermarket.

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Chris
84 280sl
82 300d euro

EPC is $75 a year in the US. Check startekinfo.com.

You can probably buy a bootleg copy on eBay but it’ll be static vs real time part number updates (probably irrelevant for your car’s age), prices will have risen and you’ll need a dedicated and isolated PC since these programs come with all manner of malware. Still worth it to many.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

x2. The parts forum and wrecking yards are alternatives.

Are you sure it’s a cap? I thought it was a grommet to guide a hex tool to the adjustment screw.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Assuming it is a M103, plug part number 102 997 00 86 is listed from model year 91 on. The grommet doesn't show up on the EPC. Possibly only available as part of a complete air cleaner assembly.

Yes it’s an m103. The grommet is there but there is an unplugged hole in it.

Thanks.

That plug is probably inexpensive but it is not required and was not used before 1991.

IIRC that’s how they are. It’s a tube through but not into the air cleaner. It allows access to a setscrew in the air metering housing under the air cleaner.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Good point. The car is new to me so I guess this is just me honing my process.

So there was just an open hole before that? My car is a 1990. I took the air box off to lube the throttle linkage and it didn’t look right

There is no tube. Opens right into the air box. I saw a tube on some other engine models as I was looking for info.

If there's a rubber grommet in the hole, that's all there is to it. The cap was decoration, you can live without it and the engine should be unaffected. The adjustment screw that the hole leads to is in an unsealed area anyway.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

www.mbpartsworld.com

http://mb-teilekatalog.info

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Thought the same thing when working on my 92 300TE. If you look, the hole falls outside the filter, anyway. More important things to lose sleep over.