Here is a picture of the middle encapsulation panel off of a W210 diesel. What is the function of the vertical air channel?

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Looks like it goes to the intake or to cool the alt.

I suppose. The VW Phaeton has a liquid cooled alternator.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

It's not related to air intake. Cooling the alternator makes sense. I guess leaving it off is just as good.

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

If not to much work, I would put it back on. They did not put it there in the first place if it had no purpose.

I read a generic article about encapsulation panels that they’re as much about getting the engine to operating temperature quickly as anything else. Gives another coin toss to the keep them on-leave them off debate.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

Oh, I will...just not too motivated in the cold. Brrrr.

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

It has nothing to do with the alternator. This duct is behind the alternator.

The right engine mount sits inches away from the exhaust and turbo. To keep the mount from baking, there is a dinky little metal shield over top of it. And there is this channel which directs a stream of cool ambient air to the mount. Without these two parts, the right side engine mount will have a short life.

The duct attaches to the plastic belly pan with a single screw, very simple to R&R. Both the turbo and non-turbo w210 were equipped with this duct.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

That makes sense...thank you.

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife