rosenhauer

I just got a 2012 GL-350 with 94K on it. Bought it out of state with just pictures and my brother in law test driving it. I'm planning on doing oil and filter (Oil, Engine air, cabin air, fuel) changes tomorrow. On the drive home ans since I've discovered a few things and not sure what to mess with or just leave alone.

The main one is that the "ANTINOISE CAPSULE" seems to be missing from under the engine. Was this an option in 2012? How much does it help with MPG? I'm not really concerned with the sound. Looks like they are fairly expensive (but I haven't checked salvage yards yet).

http://www.mbpartsworld.com/p/Merced...645201370.html

alx

there is no such option. the diaper should always be there. in a pinch it acts as a mini skidplate. i have no idea how much it adds to aero, but i imagine not much.

however, noisewise- they do make a big difference. i suggest you acquire one from a junk yard as it will help with noise, with aero, but most important will keep things a bit protected and clean.

DennisG01

This is the "blanket" that surrounds the oil pan? I just recently had it off for a few days and Alx is correct - I was surprised at the noise I heard with it off (kinda like gear noise). It wasn't "horribly" loud, and I really only noticed it under a decent throttle-smashing - but it was definitely noticeable.

eric_in_sd

rosenhauer

I'll start hunting one down. On another note is there a C/S (comfort/Sport) setting on the GL? Our E-Class has it and the transmission references mention it like it's standard on all Mercedes.

DennisG01

Disregard my post about the oil pan blanket. I'm on a computer, now, where the link works. That looks more like what I might refer to as a "belly pan". Mine is only plastic - it doesn't have a soft "diaper" side to it... unless mine is supposed to have one, as well, and it's just missing.

alx

It is missing...

DennisG01

Interesting. I have a forward, plastic belly pan/"skid plate" (touches the underside of the front bumper with no "diaper") and I have a diaper/blanket that wraps around the oil pan. But I do not have a second belly pan/skid plate. I'll research this some more - I don't want to hijack this thread with my own interests. Thanks, Alx!

a2j

I heard that GLs with off-road package have metal skid plate. I could be wrong.

alx

the front diaper is just a plastic plate. the rear one has the anti-noise capsule. as well as the oil pan having the anti-noise "fuzzy coat" .
'

DennisG01

Thank you. I just pulled up a diagram on AllData and see what you're talking about. So I'm missing the "second" plastic plate which has a diaper. Got it!

Is it pretty common for that second plastic plate to be missing? It'd be interesting to see how much of a "real world" difference it makes in fuel economy - maybe I'll find a used one somewhere and give it a shot. For the price of a new one, it would take me many, many 10's of thousands of miles to recoup the cost!

rosenhauer

After further looking I had the wrong part in the initial post. The correct one I think is this: https://parts.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...ES-REAR-SHIELD

It's Item 2 in the diagram.

DennisG01 is that what you are missing also?

DennisG01

Yes, I am missing #2, as well. I'm missing the actual plastic "shield", and of course it's "diaper".