radiator neck problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

epssax · #1 07-29-2003, 04:59 PM

Today my temp gauge went to 120 deg. and I pulled over. My radiator neck had broken off with the upper hose still nicely attached. There was enough neck left to put the hose back on. Any idea if this will hold? 1992 300 Turbo Diesel 2.5. I hope I didn't fry a head gasket. Ernie in Louisville

bodyart27 · #2 07-29-2003, 05:03 PM

**************.com sells a fix - but might be too late in your case. They also sell non plastic radiators.

Some have said that the green type antifreeze makes the neck brittle and to use only the OEM mercedes stuff (straw colored?)

Fisherman · #3 07-29-2003, 05:45 PM

I drove about 300 miles home on a broken radiator with the cap loose. that way there is no pressure but you may have probloems if the ambient temps are high where you live.

slowmoe · #4 07-29-2003, 09:01 PM

The exact same thing happened to me with my '92 2.5 this time last year in North Jersey - the day before the birth of my first child!!! It was stressful time to say the least and I was determined to get home.

I connected the hose to what was left of the rad. neck and loosened the reservoir cap to the first click to lower the operating presure of the system - seemed like a good idea at the time. It held for the 150+ miles back to Philadelphia in the summer heat.

It stuck on there pretty well - although I would not take a chance on overheating these engines unless I really had too.

I went ahead and replaced the radiator, upper and lower hoses, t-stat and reservoir cap and put in MB fluid. I chose Nissan for the rad - it was a lot cheaper than Behr and some say better. It is a pretty easy job. I think it took all of two hours - the day after my son was born. Let me know if you decide to do it. Good luck!!

epssax · #5 07-31-2003, 08:49 PM

Fixed my old one with alum flashing and JBWeld. I went down to my trusty Mercedes independant shop. They said my fix would last between 6 months and one year. I said that wasn't good enough. I ordered a Nissan radiator for $162.00 plus shipping. Probably a false economy to ruin a fine diesel engine trying to save under $200. I just didn't want to be out in the boon docks and have the neck starting to leak and not a whole lot of options.

edge · #6 07-31-2003, 09:43 PM

I bought the $25 radiator top fix (it's the top piece with the new neck) that you can have for what I paid plus shipping. I decided that if I was going to put the labor in to take the radiator out, I may as well replace it with a new Rehr radiator. Anyone want this cheaper fix?

P.E.Haiges · #7 07-31-2003, 10:20 PM

How come the bottom neck never breaks, or does it?

That would be even worse because almost all the coolant would run out.

P E H

slowmoe · #8 08-01-2003, 02:12 PM

PEH,

I think there is often pressure placed on the top neck when removing the fuel filter. I think the best practice is to remove the top radiator hose (engine side) so that this does not happen.

Also, it is a convenient place to lean when looking into the engine bay for other reasons. The design would probably be fine were it not for these other stresses.

#9 08-01-2003, 04:24 PM

With due respect to the sponsors of this forum........ie;MB Autowerks, it seems to me that the above post was somewhat of a cheap shot at selling a radiator.

However, due to the limited number of posts by the above listed party (or is it a bonafied corporation), that I bring up this point.

IF, on the OTHER hand, the above party (or is it a bonafied corporation) were SIMPLY another member of the forum (ie; NOT in a COMPETITIVE BUSINESS), then my response would NOT EXIST.

Anyway, as always, Best Wishes Always,
Spo out.

Hatterasguy · #10 08-01-2003, 06:37 PM

If *************** is just a member and not a competeing buisness then I guess they are doing nothing wrong other then being kind of anoying. Fastlane does support this site, so I don't think the webmaster would be to happy with a competitor advertising and stealing his buisness. No offense to you *************** but Mercedesshop may not be best place to advertise.

#11 08-01-2003, 07:20 PM

At 190revolution.net, we do not allow any corporate advertising on the forum, except for a modest plug in the signature. If they want to advertise, they can sponsor a forum for $.

My $.02

Cassidy

BTW, I agree, Behr radiators are no better than Nissan radiators.

epssax · #12 08-02-2003, 11:15 PM

Installed a new nissen today. Eveything fit perfectly. Now I can go on a trip and not worry about a radiator problem. Ernie

wbain5280 · #13 08-03-2003, 06:24 AM

This is a common problem with plastic/aluminum radiators. The extra hot coolant causes the plastic to become brittle after about 10 years or 100K miles. Do yourself a favor and replace the radiator and ALL the hoses together. It happens with Volvos and it happens with MB's. (It happens with all cars actually).

slowmoe · #14 08-06-2003, 09:01 AM

Warren,

How do you explain the problems with only the top neck?

R Leo · #15 08-06-2003, 10:32 AM

How come the bottom neck never breaks, or does it?

I've never seen a lower radiator hose or neck break (on any vehicle I've ever had at least!!!) either!! I think it's all about the thermal stress that it put on the upper hose and the upper part of the radiator because that is where the hottest water in the system is.