Driver's Side Intake on Hood
 

Can someone please tell me what the intake on the driver's side of the hood feeds? I just got a 2013 GL450 from my brother, and a walnut had fallen from a tree, smashed through that intake, restricted the opening, and pieces from the plastic grille have passed into the tube that it feeds.

Picture of said intake?

The one on the right...

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...1c0961d4d.jpeg

holy cow. On the bluetec, it’s a water drain. Open the hood and see if you see a small rectangular funnel.

On the 450, it serves a dual function as the heat exchanger for your blinker fluid and muffler bearing carrier coolant. If you let it go unrepaired, it can cause faulty installer valves and can also damage the European 30 weight ball bearings from your muffler bearings. You look to have received one of the early model heat exchangers made in China since the ones made in the US are of higher quality and will resist impacts like this. I'm sure there are those with more experience than I so correct me if I'm wrong or have missed anything.

Hah! I'll get that checked out.

Had the same thing happen to mine. I had a walnut tree and sure enough it went right through the grill. You can get a replacement for not much money on ebay.

Thanks. Just ordered.

Those looks so much better in chrome.