I'd post this in the SL section, but there is a wider audience here.

R129 97 SL320 ( W124 E class, maybe others too )

In addition to the large heater hoses connecting to the heater core, ( one on each side of the air box ) there is a small hose on each side. I can't see the end of these hoses but they point towards the base of the windshield. The right side small hose makes a stop at what looks to be a valve on the air box. Any idea what these small hoses do? ( These are not for heated windshield washer fluid, a second set goes to the WW bottle. )

Second, there is a electric water valve for the heater, is this a on / off type or modulated?

At some point I need to change all coolant hoses. Being this is a summer only car, the heated WW bottle will be bypassed as well as the mystery small hoses if they are not vital. Bypassing the small hoses would save $ as the molded T hoses are going to be big $.


Thanks