Air intake grille

[MARCEDES]

Anyone have success removing the air intake grille (in between hood and windscreen) without damaging it? The four lugs / rivets that hold it in place beneath the hood are no more so I will look to replace them with something. I gather the windscreen wiper arm mounts need to be removed and then the grille just slides out from beneath the windscreen's rubber seal? Really don't want to go hunting for another one at the moment should my cumbersome hands wreck it.

Pretty sure my windscreen wiper motor is stuffed which is the main reason I want to remove it to get a good look at the state of things under there.

[ptashek]

Yes, once the rivets are out and the wiper arms off, the grille just hinges upwards and slides out from under the windscreen seal.

Be gentle, it bends easily.

While you're in there, check for rust in the water box and clear debris from the two drains on each side.

BTW, the rivets are cheap to replace, and still available via your local MB dealer.

[rumb]

000-990-22-92 4 rivets
001-987-24-51    sealing for air intake vent screen
001-987-46-51   sealing for air intake vent screen

the sealing strips are probably perished

while the lower screen is out spray it with flat black paint to make it pretty

[nathan]

Marco,
with the 4 grommets, just push the centre bit through with a small (1-2mm) screwdriver.  the rest of the grommet will then come out (forward) and you can lift the chrome up gently (after the winter nuts are removed).
regards
nathan

[UTn_boy]

Don't forget to remove the two large 19mm nuts that hold the aluminum screen to the wiper motor shaft.  There are also two flat washers and a soft, play dough like washers underneath of the nut.  Also, where the wiper motor wire harness goes through the firewall into the inside of the car there is a grommet there. They're usually deteriorated by now, and have to be replace.  Otherwise water will get into the car when it rains or when the car is washed. Sadly, this grommet is no longer available, so you'll have to find a suitable replacement or use 3M strip caulking in combination with the old original grommet. 

Your heater hoses run through this area, too.  If they look suspect, then renew them.  Plain bulk heater hose will not work here, as the hoses are molded into funny shapes on purpose.  Heater hoses aren't that expensive, but a necessity, and really easy to get to while this grill is off. 

[MARCEDES]

Thanks ptashek and rumb. The part info is helpful too.

Cheers nathan and UTn_boy. I'll be sure to follow those procedures. There should be some rubber boot seals that sit over the shaft nuts on the wiper motor that are gone. I think that's where the main area of corrosion is so that's what is leading me to think I'll need a new motor. Hopefully I can just lube and free up some parts and she kicks in to life and I'll just need to find some boot seals for the future. Sceptical though....

[UTn_boy]

Those pieces that you're referring to that sit atop the motor shafts are actually a somewhat hard plastic.  They're still available new from Mercedes.  And no, there are no aftermarket sources for them.  Luckily, they're rather inexpensive, but are a necessity.  Part number 116-824-00-72.