Junkyard radiator? (W123) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

byronnash · #1 04-05-2011, 11:47 AM

I have a very tiny leak in the top of my radiator. (1984 300TD). It's not bad and doesn't leave a drop on the ground. Someone told me there is a 300D near me at a pull-apart with a fairly new radiator. What does something like that cost at a junkyard? I'm thinking about going down there and pulling it just to have it on hand.

Can you use the Stop Leak stuff in these MB radiators?

engatwork · #2 04-05-2011, 12:00 PM

Stay away from the stop leak stuff.

I would not think twice about picking up a spare radiator. I don't know what they are going to want to charge for it but it should be a fraction of new OEM.

junqueyardjim · #3 04-05-2011, 12:08 PM

Very cheap, I think $30.00 in this area. Could be a little different where you are.

tbomachines · #4 04-05-2011, 01:17 PM

Problem is you're getting something that is as old as the unit that failed in the first place. These radiators have a reputation for having their plastic bits get old and brittle, eventually snapping off. If you're planning on holding on to the car for any amount of time, get a new nissens radiator, they can be had for under $200. You'll probably notice much better cooling and flow as well.

Stretch · #5 04-05-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Problem is you're getting something that is as old as the unit that failed in the first place. These radiators have a reputation for having their plastic bits get old and brittle, eventually snapping off. If you're planning on holding on to the car for any amount of time, get a new nissens radiator, they can be had for under $200. You'll probably notice much better cooling and flow as well.

You're quite right - new is best - but for those on a budget $30 for a non leaking second hand option is pretty good going. Very good for those who are time rich but cash poor - not so great for time poor cash poor, but it might be the only way.

leathermang · #6 04-05-2011, 01:28 PM

Perhaps try this first on that tiny leak...

Clean the area really well... rough it up some with 100 grit sandpaper...
take a piece of brass sheet...10 or 20 thou shim stock perhaps.. does not have to be thick..
mix up some JBWeld.... correctly by the directions... and apply it to the area..
Cover that with the brass... do not push down except enough to press the two together...
you want the epoxy to be as thick as possible... an eighth inch thick epoxy held in the right place with contact area over several square inches backed by a non rusting ' container' long enough to properly set up... very very strong... and might cure your problem for years....

tbomachines · #7 04-05-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

You're quite right - new is best - but for those on a budget $30 for a non leaking second hand option is pretty good going. Very good for those who are time rich but cash poor - not so great for time poor cash poor, but it might be the only way.

Agreed not bad - but I would not consider it a long term investment but rather something to keep the car on the road until enough money can be saved up for a good replacement. I've actually been in this exact situation

JB weld served me well until the Nissens came in

Stretch · #8 04-05-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Agreed not bad - but I would not consider it a long term investment but rather something to keep the car on the road until enough money can be saved up for a good replacement. I've actually been in this exact situation

JB weld served me well until the Nissens came in

Yeah I know - even new isn't always long term (not like it used to be => he says in a warbling frail voice) - but we do our best with what we have at the time right?

ah-kay · #9 04-05-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Perhaps try this first on that tiny leak...

Clean the area really well... rough it up some with 100 grit sandpaper...
take a piece of brass sheet...10 or 20 thou shim stock perhaps.. does not have to be thick..
mix up some JBWeld.... correctly by the directions... and apply it to the area..
Cover that with the brass... do not push down except enough to press the two together...
you want the epoxy to be as thick as possible... an eighth inch thick epoxy held in the right place with contact area over several square inches backed by a non rusting ' container' long enough to properly set up... very very strong... and might cure your problem for years....

I would just put a bottle of 'Stop leak' in there. I had a pin-hole in the 190D radiator and the 'Stop leak' plugged the hole 10K miles ago. It is still going strong. A new/good used radiator is the long-term solution in any event.

But pull the radiator from the JY anyway as a spare and hope it is OK.

leathermang · #10 04-05-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I would just put a bottle of 'Stop leak' in there. I had a pin-hole in the 190D radiator and the 'Stop leak' plugged the hole 10K miles ago. It is still going strong. A new/good used radiator is the long-term solution in any event.

But pull the radiator from the JY anyway as a spare and hope it is OK.

What do you do to prevent that stuff from sealing up any other small areas it encounters ? Like corrosion filled radiator tubes ?
Nothing you can do...
but this is outside...
the concept here is
" NO HARM NO FOUL " IF IT DOES NOT WORK ON THE LEAK .

JB3 · #11 04-05-2011, 02:40 PM

you could JB weld it as well. Ive done this a couple times with good success.

Did a great job on the top of my 300D radiator, cost about 3 bucks. The repair was still holding with no problems 40 thousand miles later when I sold the car.

vstech · #12 04-05-2011, 02:47 PM

yup.
the PLASTIC epoxy sold at most autoparts stores bonds REALLY REALLY well to the tanks.
I've got it on my 83TD and it's working great over a year.
I also have spare radiators the pull apart near us charges about 20 for them.
just gimme a call...
I was JUST TODAY at the pullapart, if you'd have called me I'd have brought it to you today.
don't be shy Byron, feel free to call me!

leathermang · #13 04-05-2011, 02:51 PM

John, I wish you lived near Austin.....

vstech · #14 04-05-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

John, I wish you lived near Austin.....

I get that a lot...

byronnash · #15 04-05-2011, 04:49 PM

This one is at the Rock Hill yard. The leak is so minor that I'm not that concerned about it. But have a few items I need to grab at the junkyard so I'll most likely be going out there sooner than later.

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