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#1
12-03-2011, 10:36 AM
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W123 oil cooler lines, tips for not damaging the fittings
I have purchased new contitech oil cooler hoses for the 85 300D, however im a bit afraid of loosening the hoses because I have heard the fittings on the oil cooler strip easily.
Anyone have any tips for not damaging the oil cooler? Thanks
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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 
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#2
12-03-2011, 10:53 AM
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Tons of PB Blaster for a few days before attempting to remove them.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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#3
12-03-2011, 10:54 AM
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The threads on the cooler fittings don't strip upon removal. It only strips when the installing the cooler lines by force threading them.
What can happen upon removal is the fitting breaks free from the cooler when trying to loosen the lines. Try to get a wrench on both the cooler fitting and cooler line to prevent this. And PB blaster as Kerry noted. .
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1983 123.133 California - GreaseCar Veg System 
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#4
12-03-2011, 10:56 AM
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Heat the nuts with a propane torch, fairly not, and allow to cool prior to the attempt.
Once the nut barely moves............add much more PB or Kroil............and keep working the nut back and forth...........repeatedly............about 200 times..........to allow the PB to work into the threads. Do not attempt to continue removal until the nut is moving decently for a full 360 degrees. Did I mention to keep spraying that PB........or Kroil........ Patience is a virtue.
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#5
12-03-2011, 10:57 AM
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Loosen them when the cooler's hot too.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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#6
12-03-2011, 11:02 AM
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Quote:
The damage is most likely a wrenching of the threaded portion from the casting whilst undoing it. The nuts on the unions seem to be much tougher than the weak aluminum alloy oil cooler casting. My recommendation is to take your time and get as much access to the lines as possible. If you happen to be replacing the lines I'd go so far as to say cut through the old lines and make one heck of a mess and then remove the oil cooler from the car before tackling the unions. In that way you know you have as much access as possible.
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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior  Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!
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#7
12-03-2011, 11:22 AM
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The only way to be sure to not damage the threads on the cooler is to cut the fittings off the cooler lines with a dremel tool.
Cut a perpendicular slot on the nut so you can use a screwdriver to pry the nut open and off the threads. I cut the lines off and remove the cooler so I can cut the fittings off at my bench. The first time I replaced cooler lines I tried penetrating oil and heat while being VERY careful, but the threads were still slightly galled. Since then I cut the fittings off, and the threads are always perfect.
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Chad 2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE 1998 Acura 3.0 CL OBK#44 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) SOLD 1985 300TD - Red Dragon 1986 300SDL - Coda 1991 - 300TE 1995 - E320 1985 300CD - Gladys
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#8
12-03-2011, 12:51 PM
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Quote:
__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!
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#9
12-03-2011, 01:07 PM
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Quote:
 I also cut off the top line first and use my fluid extractor to suck as much oil out of the cooler as I can before cutting the lower line off.You can cut the fittings while the cooler is in the car, but it's easier to cut the lines and remove the cooler to deal with the fittings IMO. Then you can be comfortable and see everything clearly as you cut the fittings and avoid cutting so deep that you damage the threads or worse. This also gives you the chance to completely drain the cooler. After doing this the last time, the oil stayed golden for several days before it turned black again.
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Chad 2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE 1998 Acura 3.0 CL OBK#44 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) SOLD 1985 300TD - Red Dragon 1986 300SDL - Coda 1991 - 300TE 1995 - E320 1985 300CD - Gladys
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#10
12-03-2011, 02:28 PM
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I stripped 3 threads off of mine when removing/backing off the Hose Nut. I found that a Piece of broken off Nipple thread had corroded to the Nut. It acted as a cutter and damaged 3 threads on the way out.
As it happens oxidized Aluminum is actually hard and certainly harder than un-oxidized Aluminum; so, the stuck piece made a good thread cutter. In the DIY section there is more specific Instructions. One of the Instructions was to use a Dremel type Tool with one of the tiny Cut off Wheels and cut a lengthwise slot on each side of the Hose Nut to the extent that you can get a Screwdriver in the slot, twist and split the Nut. If you nick the Nipple threads that is not a problem because there is no sealing done by the threads. DIY Repair Links DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles You may need to thin the Backup Wrench you use on the Oil Filter Housing Fittings that the Oil Cooler Hoses screw onto. Added: At the Junk Yard I tried to remove the Hoses from an Oil Cooler and Stripped the Threads on one of the Nipples; and gave up on it.
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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel Last edited by Diesel911; 12-03-2011 at 10:39 PM.
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#11
12-03-2011, 08:40 PM
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Quote:
I have had to remove a cooler from an old rusted out 240 by cutting the lines off the car, and shipping out the cooler to the customer with the ends still attached!
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!  1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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#12
12-03-2011, 09:06 PM
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I think Chad has the best idea, and thats the way im gonna do it, ust gotta get a good cutoff wheel for my dremel and i'll be set.
__________________
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
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#13
12-03-2011, 09:06 PM
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I had no issues changing mine by spraying pb blaster on the fittings each evening when I got home from work.
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#15
12-03-2011, 10:34 PM
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if the fittings are dry and rust covered, I'd not only soak them in Kroil or Blaster, I'd lightly tap the flats of the nut with a SMALL hammer, top, sides, bottom, etc. then soak again, then let it soak a day, and repeat for at least a week... longer if not in a hurry.
I've never seen dry lines on any of my cars except my 87 TD, unfortunately... EVERY MB I've gotten has had oil leaks that at a minimum lightly coated each and every part on my cars... the only plus side, is the fittings always come right out.
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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