View Single Post
  #13  
Old 07-18-2009, 11:56 AM
CANDIDE's Avatar
CANDIDE CANDIDE is offline
300SDL 265K
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Placerville,CA
Posts: 167
Quote:
Originally Posted by Squabble View Post
So, a few weeks ago i replaced all of the hoses on my cooling system, the thermostat as well, did a couple flushes, and filled up with the right coolant at a 50/50 mix. It now keeps perfect temp and gives me no issues. however....

i CANNOT get the upper radiator hose at the thermostat housing and the heater core hose on the firewall that's farthest to the passenger side to stop leaking. it happens after driving long enough to heat up and then turning the car off long enough to let it cool down (at work or overnight). i have re-clamped them over and over, tightened them too much, loosened them too much, and moved them back and forth all over to try to make them stop leaking. nothing is working. they are genuine mercedes parts/hoses but the clamps came from napa, but they are definitely the right size. none of the other many connections leak so i don't think it's the gear i used.

my question is: can i use some RTV or some other liquid gasket material and then slip the hoses on? will that work? if it does work, is it safe for the car/cooling system? i'm at my wits end here.
The thermostat housing hose nipple is aluminum and they sometimes build up bumps of corrosion that will impede a proper hose fit. Check all the leaking hose nipples and remove any lumps.
My SDL had corrosion lumps on the thermostat housing and head hose nipple. I suppose they don't leak until you replace the hose since the buildup is gradual and the new hose does not conform to the bump as the old one did.
Reply With Quote