SLK 280 2008 yr bonnet grilles

[Steve43]

Hi All!
Very new here! Just bought a 2008 model SLK 280.
There are two plastic grilles on the bonnet which house the windscreen washers
Opening the bonnet and looking at the underside of the bonnet, there is a cover to the grille on the driver's side but NO cover on the passenger side!
As this is the side that holds the battery compartment, this means that water will find its way into the battery compartment.
MB Brisbane says that there is NO cover for the inside (underside?) of this grille!
Funny, as there are the five/six screw holes already there! Should there be a cover under here?? Seems very strange that there is not!

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

No cover is correct, it drains down through the battery compartment - keeps the battery cool I believe - just make sure the drains are clear under the battery

 

[Chrishazle]

That big black lump over the battery is a funnel to take the rain past the battery to the drain hole in the bottom of the battery tray, it's held on by 3 1/4 turn fasteners, you have to remove it to get at the battery. I used to do that to connect my battery conditioner when putting my 280 in her garage for a while, but discovered I can instead use the emergency +ve (under a red plastic cover under the bonnet, other side of the car to the battery) and connect the -ve to one of the nuts on the suspension top mount, much easier!
BTW, are you aware that the bonnet will lift to vertical? Once it's where you have it in the photos, push upward again!

 

[Steve43]

Thank you both very much for those responses. My sense of form and order still makes me cringe when I look under the bonnet!