Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-09-2007, 06:04 PM
greasybenz's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 2,082
Radiator leak!

Was driving the 87 300D in traffic and noticed my temp start raising. Being in the center lane in traffic it took a little to pull off to the emergency lane. All the coolent had leaked out and the temp gauge read 120 DEGREES!!!!!!! All of this was in a matter of about 30-45 seconds until i pulled off.

The second i pulled into the emergency lane i shut off the engine, when i opened the hood no steam came out but the temp did get high and i did loose all the coolent.

Once i got the car towed home i removed the radiator. I noticed 3 small holes in the radiators fins that allowed the water to escape. Its on the fan side of the radiator. Not sure how it happen, The Behr radiator is only a year old.

The red dot in this pic shows were the hole was in my radiator.



Along with this little story what i want to know is if there is any risk of the head being cracked. And if there is a chance how hard is it to remove the head?

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-09-2007, 06:19 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
There is always a risk of these heads cracking...........if you look at them funny....they might crack.

However, I don't believe you should worry about it at this point. If it did crack, it will likely be a year or so before the symptoms start to show themselves. The crack begins very small and progresses with many heat/cool cycles.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-13-2007, 01:21 PM
dieseldiehard's Avatar
Dieseldiehard
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bay Area No Calif.
Posts: 4,368
another worry is warping. My first experience with the 603 head problems was back around 1989 when I was looking at buying one, a friend ran a shop where I had an engine swap done and I saw a white 87 300TD fs. I passed on the deal because the car seemed to lack power. I believe it still had the Nasty Trap Oxidizer in it, I can't remember all the details.
I heard that the new owner took it to FL where it overheated due to a warped head and I know this is sometimes the case even on gassers. Overheating aluminum causes severe internal stress that warps the material. Its associated with the material (coefficient of expansion) and as everyone knows, forged iron heads are almost free of this problem.
Ruben, please let us know the outcome (I am sure I will hear about it)!
This makes the case for an electrical warning beeper attached to the head somehow, somebody on the Forum already worked out a device that would do that - just have to find it. I'd like one on each of my 603's
__________________
'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-13-2007, 01:57 AM
greasybenz's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 2,082
Ive bought a behr radiator from autozoo (lifetime warranty). But so far this is the 3rd behr radiator that sprung a leak What's interesteing is unlike my original radiator the new ones leak from the edges like in this picture:


No puncture holes that can be seen. they just leak from the edges, coincidence?
Im getting a bit tired of returning the busted radiator waiting 2 days for a new one.

A Problem that i thought was a cause of the leaks was the fan hitting the radiator when braking hard or braking down hill. You could hear the fan brushing up against the radiator which was weird. So i replaced the worn motor mounts thinking it would stop the engine from scooting foward at hard braking. Which stopped the fan from brushing, but the 3rd replacement radiator has sprung a leak so that couldnt be it? Its a plastic 606 fan so how could a plastic fan make the radiator leak without leaving evidence?

suggestions?
__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-13-2007, 08:52 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by greasybenz View Post
Its a plastic 606 fan so how could a plastic fan make the radiator leak without leaving evidence?

suggestions?
It cannot cause the leak.

The leak is simply due to defective manufacturing processes. Until they correct the problem with the seam, every single one that you purchase will suffer from the same malady. Be thankful for the warranty.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-13-2007, 01:53 PM
dieseldiehard's Avatar
Dieseldiehard
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bay Area No Calif.
Posts: 4,368
The problem is the tank is not being pulled tight against the O-ring seal.
I had this problem with a Nissens and is the reason I always recommend Behr over Nissens.
I saw Greasybenz's radiator setup and the only thing obvious was a missing shroud mounting clip. I suspect there is a run of bad radiators out there.

One can squeeze the fingers tighter against the tank using a long nose pliers but this is probably only a temporary solution.
DDH
__________________
'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-13-2007, 02:45 PM
TX76513's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brandon, Mississippi
Posts: 5,209
It's Karma Ruben
__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-13-2007, 03:03 PM
dieseldiehard's Avatar
Dieseldiehard
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bay Area No Calif.
Posts: 4,368
Quote:
Originally Posted by TX76513 View Post
It's Karma Ruben
Uh, yes, AMG attracts more Karma than OE

__________________
'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:03 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page