Thanks,

I just sealed the oil separator on my 300D per your instructions. It's now drying, and I ordered a new air filter today. I'll let you know how it works for me. BTW, I priced an air filter from the dealer today and it is now $49.50 for a federal 617. I'm sure it was more like $25 the last time I bought one from the dealer. The dealer's parts guy also thought the price had jumped recently.

Off the subject, he also told me the Mercedes folks are arriving at the dealership with some "new" V6 diesels to do some high altitude testing. They've already shipped a bunch of euro spec diesel fuel (similar to the new US fuel, I assume) to use for the testing, but no cars yet.