Radiator compatibility 190D vs 190E? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cornblatt · #1 12-27-2005, 07:48 PM

Hi!

The radiator on my 190D-2.2 has a minor leak from the plastic section on the driver's side at the bottom. I'd like to replace it.

I can get a used radiator for a 190E for $65 from a local wrecking yard. This would be a 201 500 43 03.

A new radiator for the 190D is $223. This is a 201 500 83 03.

Does anyone know the difference between the two radiators? Will the radiator from a gasoline car fit in a diesel?

I found pictures of both at an on-line parts vendor, and the pictures look the same, but I don't trust the pictures (it might just be their standard radiator photo)

pawoSD · #2 12-27-2005, 11:34 PM

I would assume the gasser engine generates more heat than the diesel does, so its at least the same size. If the hose connections are compatible, I'd say its probably just fine to use it.

cornblatt · #3 12-29-2005, 10:56 AM

Well, after some web searching, I found an on-line danish radiator catalog from Nissens that provided drawings and dimensions for the radiators.

I figured I'd post the info here in case someone else can use it one day. Attached are drawings of the radiators for the 190D-2.2, the 190E-2.3, the 190E-2.6, and the 190D-2.5 and 190D-2.5 Turbo. Note the differences in thickness, trans. cooler line locations, and mounting points for the fan shroud.

I added annotations to the drawings showing the overall dimensions, construction type and some possible MB part numbers that match the drawing. The part #s shown on the drawings were obtained from trying different #s in the cross reference tool at Nissens and finding which replacement they pointed to. So, use at your own risk.

For my application, it looks like the 190E-2.3 radiator will fit. The only difference is that it is 32mm thick (vs. 40mm for the 190D-2.2); On another site, I saw a note indicating that the 40mm radiators are a double-row core, while the 32mm ones are a single-row core.

I'm not sure if this is critical or not for my application. According to the info I found, the 190D-2.5 uses a 32mm thick radiator, while the 190D-2.2 uses a 40mm - I wonder why?

cornblatt · #4 12-29-2005, 11:00 AM

For completeness, here's a drawing of the 190E-2.3-16V radiator (or, more correctly, the radiator that Nissens claims is used in the 16V; I haven't seen it myself, and their site could be wrong, so use this info at your own risk).

This one is made of copper instead of aluminum, and it's much narrower than the others.

t walgamuth · #5 12-29-2005, 10:20 PM

the 32 mm two row on your diesel. the other rad will have significantly better cooling. unless you live very far north you wont be happy when the weather turns hot or you have to climb a big hill. i would try to sell the 190 rad and use the money toward your proper diesel rad.

good luck

tom w

cornblatt · #6 01-17-2006, 09:04 AM

Well, after an unsuccessful search for a local source for the proper 190D radiator (the only place in town was the MB dealer, for $714, and anything else would need to be shipped in from the US), I decided that I would buy the 190E radiator and use it temporarily while I get my original radiator repaired.

When I got the 190E radiator from the wrecker's, it turned out to be a replacement unit that was only a few years old

. I had it boiled out and pressure tested, and then I installed it. I also replaced the water pump at the same time, since the coolant had already been drained and the radiator was out of the way.

Installing the radiator was super-easy. No tools required, aside from the screwdriver to remove the hose clamps. Genuine MB coolant ended up being cheaper than anything from the local parts stores.

The 190E radiator fit perfectly in the 190D, and the car operates fine so far (no temperature issues, and no coolant leaks). Aside from the core thickness, all of the other dimensions and mounting points on the radiators are identical.

Regarding the different thicknesses of the two radiators, the 601 engine manual says:
Vehicles without air conditioning are provided with a cross flow radiator with a core depth of 34 mm. Vehicles with air conditioning are also provided with a cross flow radiator, the radiator has a core depth of 42 mm.

So, I assume that the bigger radiator is required only when using the air conditioning in the summer when it's hot. That should give me at least 6 months to get around to fixing the original... (yes, I live in the far north! brr...)

t walgamuth · #7 01-17-2006, 09:13 AM

will probably be fine. just keep an eye on the temp in the summer, all 45 days of it.

sorry, couldnt resist making a weather jab. all my relatives that live in the south always do it to me.

tom w