How Long Will a Radiator Last - With proper service - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rhodes2010 · #1 08-30-2007, 02:28 AM

How Long Will a Radiator Last - With proper service.

If a person follows all recommended procedures and changes coolant
on schedule, uses MB coolant, and flushes - how long would a radiator last ?

And if it will not last, what is happening inside ?

My coolant looks clean and healthy.
To me - unhealthy coolant looks like rusted water.

I could be wrong, I have no scientific evidence to back up what healthy coolant is.

So, I wonder if all radiators eventually have particles of crud that break loose
from the cast iron parts and eventually clog the small passageways.
Causing heat problems even though the radiator looks basically clean, and the
coolant looks good too.

I have no way to flow test a radiator, and most radiators shops I have been to seem to just boil and flush.

Over the last few years I have replaced radiators and water pumps in several
cars and it seemed like a new car when it comes to cooling.
I am starting to use the approach as standard maintenance.
I do it as good practice. I can't test the flow rate of the radiator, so I guess it is faith.

But if I could start hearing from folks that there seems to be a lifetime with a radiator, even under perfect conditions - then I will just change them at intervals based on age.

Any thoughts ?

LUVMBDiesels · #2 08-30-2007, 05:57 AM

I think it depends on the type of radiator and how much stress the cooling system is under.

I had a 1957 Chevy 283V8 with the original copper tube radiator. that radiator was 41 years old when I bought the car. Low stress cooling system

I have also had to replace a radiator in a 1989 Taurus after only 60000 miles and three years. That one was aluminum and plastic. High stress cooling system.

In my 300SD I just replaced the 26 year old radiator after doing a citric acid flush which revealed a leak that I guess had been plugged up with crud. Once I did this the temps dropped from 100c to 85c

It seems that cooling systems from the 1980's on are under much more stress than older systems. The caps hold more pressure, the engines run hotter, etc.

As a preventive maintenance item, I would replace any plastic radiator that was over 20 years old.

For a copper radiator, I would replace it once it springs a leak as they seem to last a good long time. The one in my '74 CJ is original.

Wodnek · #3 08-30-2007, 07:42 AM

The additive package in coolant breaks down before the coolant changes color. So if you change it at recommended intervals there is no reason to change the radiator at a set interval so long as its not a leaker. It is too bad that fixing radiators is pretty much a lost art. There used to be 3 radiator shops in town that did everything, solder leaks, recores, etc. Now one left and all they do is flush and fills and replacement.

charmalu · #4 08-30-2007, 10:51 AM

Lets see, on the Mercedes Iam assumin it`s the original with 331000 Mi.
replacing it only because of new engine. never given us any problem.

On my old Datsun PU, I have had it almost 26 YRS and it is the orginal with 443000 MI. as far as the coolant goes, can`t remember when I changed it last

. but I have always used distilled water. when I look into
the radiator, it looks real clean inside. never had an over heating problem.

I was told once that salt is bad on a radiator. bought an old PU from some
one that lived near the ocean. I was looking at the radiator one day and noticed some on the fins were missing. ran my finger along some of the fins and they just flaked off like they were roton.
that right there will deplete some of the cooling ability.

that`s my 2 cents.

Charlie

pawoSD · #5 08-30-2007, 02:30 PM

I replaced my original radiator on my '82 300SD in April 2006...as the tank on top had started to seep coolant. So it lasted about 245,000 miles or about 23 years. The car has always had MB coolant in it. My new radiator is a Behr OEM Mercedes radiator just like the original. Cost a LOT.

2.5Turbo · #6 08-30-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

I was told once that salt is bad on a radiator. bought an old PU from some
one that lived near the ocean. I was looking at the radiator one day and noticed some on the fins were missing. ran my finger along some of the fins and they just flaked off like they were roton.
that right there will deplete some of the cooling ability.

Yeah, one of the condensers in my aunt's home AC units is rotting away like that. The cause? She has her own Labrador breeding/show business and always has at least five or six labs around the house. Some of the male dogs liked to call the AC units theirs

. There is now a little wire fence around the AC units....

lietuviai · #7 08-30-2007, 11:56 PM

Radiator in my '77 GMC is still original. It's never run hotter than maybe a 1/4 on the gauge, loaded or unloaded on even a 100F day.

pawoSD · #8 08-31-2007, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

Radiator in my '77 GMC is still original. It's never run hotter than maybe a 1/4 on the gauge, loaded or unloaded on even a 100F day.

And it has 91k on it.....

How often do you flush the coolant on it?

lietuviai · #9 08-31-2007, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

And it has 91k on it.....

How often do you flush the coolant on it?

True it only has 91K but it is 30 years old. I have not flushed it yet and I've owned nearly 10 years. Coolant is still clean and green.

JimFreeh · #10 08-31-2007, 06:49 AM

Car has 210K on it and has had consistent coolant changes on schedule.
Still runs cool, and no evidence of leaks.

I have full records, original owner is a friend and is absolutely anal about preventive maintenance.

Same PO owned my wife's 95 wagon. Original radiator in that as well with 127K miles.

Jim

#11 08-31-2007, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhodes2010

Over the last few years I have replaced radiators and water pumps in several cars and it seemed like a new car when it comes to cooling. I am starting to use the approach as standard maintenance. I do it as good practice.

I'm beginning to think you are correct. My 300D always ran on the hot side. After endless messing around with flushes, thermostats, clutch fans, etc., I managed to break the radiator neck and had to replace it. It immediately ran 5 or 10C cooler with the new radiator.

My 240D seems to run a little hot in the summer with AC (it doesn't travel very far from home). I think I'm just going to skip a few steps and replace the radiator when I have a chance.

Radiators for these cars are very cheap and very easy to replace, I now think the are just maintenance items, especially if they have not had good cooling system maintenance over the life of the car.

Ara T. · #12 08-31-2007, 07:25 AM

200 dollars every 15-20 years isn't much to ask for.

gatorblue92 · #13 08-31-2007, 08:25 PM

29 years... last summer i replaced the factory radiator in my 240D and the thing pretty much fell apart... the car was still keeping cool just fine but it was leaking

tankdriver · #14 08-31-2007, 11:55 PM

My radiator is original, and has been running on the green stuff probably 17 years. No leaks. (knock on wood).

Hatterasguy · #15 09-01-2007, 12:07 AM

10-20 years, pretty much until the neck snaps off.