This is not good. I need some advice from the "Mercedes Pro's".

Yesterday I popped the hood and was doing my weekly "look at everything" and I found the hose barb coming out of the radiator was weeping around the seal. This is the line that runs over to the expansion tank. So, I removed the barb to find yet another botched repair job. This thing had obviously been leaking before. So, I cleaned the coolant off, cleaned things up with a wire brush and used some JB Weld for the repair. The repair took perfectly and it does not leak any more. It is a solid repair that is difficult to see unless you are looking for it.

Anyway, I get home from work this morning, pop the hood to be sure everything is still tight and dry and I found this:


This is not good. It looks like the top tank is cracked in a few places. One along a seam and another at the end of the tank. It has not lost any coolant yet. So, this must have just happened after I did the repair yesterday. Now it is pressurizing properly because the leak around the hose barb is fixed. But is it over pressurizing?

Would an improper or bad cap cause the radiator to crack like this? I was given one the other day and I fear it may have been the wrong one.

Is this something I can trust to a Local radiator shop? Or should I get a new one. I'm not thrilled about forking out $400 right now for a new radiator.

Any input on this is really appreciated.

__________________
AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Welcome to the club!



I was tempted to do a repair with fiberglass mat and JB weld but I take this car long distances over the road and I'd really rather not have to fork out the big bucks for an unexpected repair at a dealership far from home when I can take care of it now in a controlled environment.

BTW, shop around a little, radiators can be had for much less than $400. Mine will be less than $250.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Since you don't want to replace - go back to step 1 with the JB Weld. Make sure you rough up the area around the leak with some 80 grit to give good adhesion. Keep an eye on it while JB is good I have not seen it to be permanent on radiators.

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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)

Yep... That is a bad day my friend. At least we were able to catch it before it left us sitting on the side of the interstate with the hood up and cars wizzing by at over 80 MPH. That is not my idea of fun.

I'm willing to go cheap on the radiator. But not so cheap that it is going to leave me stranded. This car sees 400 to 600 miles a week.

I have found a few in the $200's. Looks like one is made by Nissens? If I remember correctly they made a pretty good replacement for my old Volvo 850's and V70's.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

__________________
AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

A bad cap can cause overpressurization, and that can crack the radiator (or worse yet... the heater core). An auto repair shop with a Stant pressure tester can test your cap for you.

__________________
1987 W201 190D

My 300E has a Nissens replacement, and its been great so far...

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I bought a new aftermarket rad that was all metal, copper core with brass tanks for my 240 for $175. It fit well but does not have a bottom drain.
I am happy so far.

__________________
1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

I got a good used Nissens radiator. PM me if interested.

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I bought a new aftermarket rad that was all metal, copper core with brass tanks for my 240 for $175. It fit well but does not have a bottom drain.
I am happy so far.

__________________
1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

I'm not doing JB Weld on those cracks. Not worth risking the engine over that. I found one at the local radiator shop for $210 plus tax. Brand new in the box. Most of the ones I'm seeing online are $240 to $260. Where did you find one for $175?

I'm definitely going to have the cap tested. Thanks for the info. on that. Does Autozone or Advance have a tester like that?

I'm still looking.


Edit: I found one for $177 here:

http://www.***********************/search/?N=11142+1668+4294963043+9235

__________________
AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

They might have a tester. Some of the chains have tool loaner programs, I don't know if a pressure tester would be part of that, it's worth checking. If you have a friendly local auto repair shop, they can test your cap for you in like 30 seconds. It'll take longer for them to dig the tool out of it's storage place than to actually test the cap.

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1987 W201 190D

i have a stock rad from a 82 300SD, good shape, was gonna use it in my project but i needed a different shape. $100 plus shipping if anyone is still looking for one? email me as im not on here much. dealwithit_000@hotmail.com

cheers
ken

__________________
93 b2200 EFI turbo, reg cab/short box, F2t swap build thread here
92 B2600i Cab plus getting a 82 3.0L 5cyl 617 mercedes Turbo Diesel build thread here
96 GMC 1500 z71 4x4 6.5L turbo diesel
Diesel all the way!!!

Ok... I got a new one. It will be here in a day or 2.

Thanks for all the help with this. I was freaking out there for a little bit.

Does anyone know a source or size for the little radiator hose beneath the thermostat housing? That is the only hose that has not been replaced. I figure now is the time to do it.

__________________
AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

What rad cap do you have? Does it say 120 on it? If so its the correct cap.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Here it is. It says 100? Is that good or bad?

__________________
AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)