okay larry bible you win but why can't i get my...
 

topsider to evacuate completely?i only got 1 litre sucking so i did the screw underneath and you're right it does give you the chance to look around underneath.seems i've got a bit of an oil leak somewhere:eek: :mad:

The only thing I hate about crawling under the car is the big plastic underbody panel you must remove to get to the oil pan/nut...after I remove the 6 or 8 screws, the thing just falls down on me...and it likes to land on my head...and I gotta do a weird shimmy coming out of the bottom with this panel on top of me...

LOL - DM you ought to take a tranny out:).

Once you get used to it, you will find that getting under there is no big deal. As for the hush panel, from the front of the car reach underneath with a 1/4" drive ratchet, a short extension and the socket. Pull the back screws first and then the front ones. Once the panel is out of the way, then get under far enough to pull the plug.

Also get in the habit of looking around and don't be afraid to push and pull on things to see what might be loose.

Also don't forget to look at the hush panel to see what might have been leaking on it.

Have a great day,

Well. I have to ask..
 

What does that plastic panel really do? Is it just for noise control? Is it a splash guard?

I painted mine, but have not found a good reason to put it back on yet.. I keep thinking I will.. But it's still in the corner..

Part of the reason for the hush panel is aerodynamics. Remember the big push 20 years ago to get the Cd (aerodynamic drag) coefficient down? One of the problem areas was drag from the undercarriage.

When I changed the fuel filter on my E320 I took notice of the panel that covered it and how it streamlined the undercarriage. These panels are just some of the things that make a Mercedes what it is -- fast, quiet, and fuel efficient.

Plastic Panel
 

Don't even want to start a new thread, but as a side note, I occasionally read about the plastic panel under the engine bay. Don't have one on my car. A a matter of "completeness" I'm thinking about digging one up, but don't even know what to call it when asking around. Does anyone have a picture of theirs they would share?

Dave

Dave, I remember this being discussed before and I think it was agreed that the 95 E320s never had a hush panel. But I agree that it wouldn't hurt to have more verification on this.

i came across a post before where someone cut a hole in the hush panel to have access to the drain plug. i plan to modify mine this way when i go and empty out my auto-rx...

That was me .. works great ..I used a large hole saw to get a nice strong, round cut [ take the panel off and back it with a board for a good clean cut]

I prefer to leave the panel on [ many take them off figuring they are just there for noise, aero effect] because one of the main reasons for the panel is to keep water and road hazards off the Serpentine belt...You do not want this belt slipping or damaged in any way......

One thing interesting about the underpanel is there are two NACA ducts on both sides of the panel...angled outwards towards the wheels...maybe they force-feed air towards the inner-two pistons of the four-piston brake setup on these cars...who knows? I am guessin' the panel is there to protect the alternator, starter, etc. on the V8 W124's...since a lot of the critical parts are buried under the car due to lack of space/access from under the hood...

Hmmmm.. A hinged door.. That sounds easy enough...I think I'll do that!!!!!:D

belly pan
 

does anybody know if a 1988 420sel came with this pan??

tks
craig

Craig:

My '91 300-SEL (W126) car has an encapsulation panel. Your W126 should have come with one as well.

In my case, it's a large plastic panel roughly 3ft x 3ft that attaches underneath with 4 small screws that have an 8mm head.

I wasn't able to locate a photo here or at other web suppliers. It may be a dealer item.

Some garages and dealers feel compelled to discard them once off for whatever service is being performed. If yours is missing, this is likely what happened to it.

i think we could have started a new thread
 

but since we're all here:larry-i didn't take off my panel.i just reached underneath from the front and took out the bolt and i don't have long arms!:D