The radiator was full at cold temperature when I purchased the vehicle 700 miles ago. It's lost 750ml of coolant since then.
At peak operating temperature, the hose (in the 2nd picture) was bubbling with a mild leak where the translucent hose meets the nut. It is likely the fan blew the fluid onto the valve cover as it travelled upwards. What hose is this? Is a leak common?
Were I to re-core, I would do it at
Aaron's radiator. They specialist in metal classic car radiators and have a pretty decent reputation here in the UK. They even have another diesel rad in their workshop currently.
Haven't heard of a Citric acid flush done of a W114/5 but am open to try. Anyone documented how to do one on a /8?