Can't pull off center engine piece to replace airboxes
 

It feels like I'm going to break it. I tried pulling under the star and in the corners but it just feels stuck. In fact I noticed a small crack in it done before me.

How do I pull it off??

There are tabs all around the side. Don't force it up, try to unhook the tabs

p.s. Might be easier to remove the plastic cover from the back. I recall having some trouble removing the engine cover when I was doing an oil change but a video on YouTube helped. Once you loosen the tabs a bit of force will take them off.

I start from near the air box area and work my way towards the front near the star. You will have to give it some extra pull.

This is obviously a troll thread...

No fam, I am not trolling. I didn't find any tabs first time I tried and just pulling was gonna break it.

Fuk, you must have dainty arms like BLKROKT...

There's 6 tabs. I start at the front edge of the airbox. Give it a quick yank. Sometimes the metal tab will come off the cover and you have to fish it out.

Attachment 359842

Mine came (new) pre-cracked also. Dealer refused to replace it, said I must have done it. Get a Q-tip and some Permatex silver anti-seize and dab it around the contact areas. Never again...

Thanks bro. Meet me Temecula and I'll show you my arms aren't anything like BLKROKT's

yep even brand new ones i have seen break

You will probably have to buy a new one

LOL, too bad, I was in Irvine for a week last year and could have helped you out. :y

It's just a very minor hairline crack. What kind of harm will happen if I don't replace it? A little air leaks from engines mouth?

NOthing will happen

Do it with the engine hot.

It's purely decorative and serves absolutely no other function. Don't worry about it. If it really bothers you, I have one for sale - PM me if you want it.

The engine covers in every MB car I have had have had similar issues.
Start at the front middle edge and find the clip location. Then, as a porcupine makes love - very carefully - pull straight up with one hand with the other putting downward pressure above the clip. This balance of force prevents the cover from being over flexed as the clip releases. Work your way around the edges of the front cover to the back edges and do the same. By then all clip locations will be known and this technique will prevent cracks..
By the way these garnish clips from MB are hugely expensive and usually you can count on losing one where you cannot find it so here is tip. A GM 1/2 by 5/8 Garnish clip works beautifully. I got a box of 20 for $14 on line recently. Oh that I had only known!
This is what you are looking for but there are other sources.

Fam.

I just put a large flat head screw driver under the rear outside and VERY GINGERLY twist and the cover pops right off.

TC

Was able to successfullly pull it off this morning thanks to the helpful posts in this thread! What worked for me was pulling straight up from right where the pins are