Noob alert.

What is this black cylindrical thing? Looks like an air filter, but when I looked inside I didn't see anything that resembled an air filter. Anyway, the black rubber elbow in my hand is torn and needs to be replaced. Is the end that connects to the black thingy supossed to be really oily on the inside?

Thanks.

Hard to tell exactly what you have there, but it looks like the crankcase breather tube. If so, they tend to be oily.

Too much oil in there may indicate excessive blow-by.

Not familiar with your model but the thing in your hand looks like a PVC tube. Takes oily combustion from the bottom of the engine block and redirects it into the intake to be combusted again.

Yeah, normal of then to get oily, I replace the one on my car every twenty thousand miles or so.

what year is your car? fuel injected? you have an air filter in the front of the engine?

I think thats what it is and does.

Its a 1982 300SD Turbo Diesel. Here is another pic showing what connects to what. The black hose connected to the red hose goes to the top of the engine. Does that help?

That's not stock. I'd get rid of whatever that is and buy the correct hose.

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Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport