mis3

I just checked Autohasaz and could not find anything on the engine cover (the housing for air filters).

Maybe I should search under a different name.

togaclk55

#1 right? $200 on parts.com

mis3

Yes, thanks. Is this a MB OE part with the emblem? What is #12 then?

I changed my air filters today and I noticed that a piece was chipped off at the connection to the air hose. I have no idea how and when it happened but I'm it did not happen this time. My car is usually serviced by the dealership.

I replaced the air filters and put the engine cover back. All should be OK since the air hose covered the chipped part completely.

togaclk55

#12 is the front, #1 is the back

Rudeney

I wouldn't worry about the chip - it's upstream of the air filters, so there's no worry about dirt in the intake.

mis3

Don't know how to explain it properly. The missing part is more like a triangle, maybe 0.5 inch in width (at the opening). Probably someone broke it when he out the engine cover on a table.

It should be fine because the air hose covered the opening completely.

I am thinking to duct-tape it. It should not be too hot in that area.

togaclk55

Post a pic?

Rudeney

You'd be surprised at how hot it gets. The ducts on my CLK550 are broken and cracked, due mostly to heat. I've tried all sorts of tapes and nothing lasts. I think I am going to buy some 3-inch metal duct from Home Depot and try to fashion something.

mis3

I am more concerned if the air hose does not cover the whole opening because air will leak and less air go to the air filter.

Someone suggested that I use the black electric tape. I have no idea that electric tape is supposed to be heat resistance.

Rudeney

Electrical tap is heat resistant in that it won't catch on fire very easily, but it will deform and stretch. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. There will be enough airflow to the filter. The only possible issue is that you might suck in some hot air from around the engine as opposed to getting cooler air from the front of the vehicle. But again, feel how hot that plastic intake tube and filter housing (i.e. engine cover) gets and you'll likely decide that a small crack in the intake isn't going to make much of a difference.

Yidney

You won't get less air to the filter. The engine is sucking air. It will suck through any opening. So some will come in through your new hole, not leave through your new hole.

Yidney

And another reason not to worry about taping it is to look how it all fits together by design. Your air intake hoses just snap onto the filter housing. Those are not airtight seals by any means. So air is already being sucked into the intake from places other than the two openings above your grill. If you put pink chalk dust where your hoses snap to the housing, I'm sure you'd see pink chalk dust on your filters in short order as the air got sucked in through cracks around the fitting. The total gaps in those two snap fittngs probably have a larger surface area than the little bit of your chip that may not be covered. A tight seal upstream of your air filters is of no importance. It's not designed to be a tight seal. Downstream it has to be tight - thus the rubber O ring around your MAF housing - so your engine cannot suck in unfiltered air.

mis3

Thanks for all your comments.

I worried too much. I have been driving with this hole for probably a while. Don't know when the damage occurred.

By the way, the car feels great after the filter change. This M112/ 722.6 combination is amazing.

M-bENZ

Do u need an engine cover or some?

mis3

Not for now. Like I said, I worried too much.
The air hose cover the whole opening so no air would escape.

Rudeney

Mis3, what model do you have (actually, it might be a good idea to put that in your profile)? Is it a CLK320 or CLK500? If so, that might not be a chip if it's on the bottom of the right (USA driver's) side of the engine cover. There is a specific cutout on those covers for the M112/113 engines. It's a very clean, half circle on the bottom edge of where the intake tube connects. I think it's used on some engines (maybe diesels?) that require an extra air injection port and this is where that hose would attach to the intake tube. I just checked my C240 and it has this cutout.

mis3

My car is a 2004 CLK320.

M-bENZ

I have that cut out too ... All clk are like that too . Well at least my 320 and 500 all have them .

mis3

Yes, you guys are right. I just looked at it and it is a half circle, a clean half circle. It is located a bit side way, towards the engine. So, it is not broken!

M-bENZ

Lol weird huh?

billyget

I have cracks on my air intake hoses is there any decent tape i can buy from auto parts store that can absorb or take the heat and will bind with the plastic hoses

Rudeney

I tried various tapes and nothing survived the heat of the engine bay. The metal duct from Home Depot is holding fairly well on mine. Last time I was in Advance Auto, I noticed some plastic intake duct that looked like 3" that might fit. Also, they sell a high-temp fabric wrap. I keep meaning to take a closer look and see what might work. This isn't rocket science - you just need air fed into the intake and it's best if it is decently sealed so as to minimize sucking in hot engine bay air.