Saturday I was driving to the parts store to get some replacement hose for the fuel return lines and after I left the store I noticed a little bit of steam coming from under the hood and that my temperature gauge was 3/4 of the way up. I immediately pulled over and killed the engine. The top of the radiator where the upper hose connects broke off and radiator fluid soaked the entire engine. I'm just thankful that I caught it and was able to pull over before the engine blew. I had it towed to a mechanic as I need the car soon and don't have the time or a place (I live in the city) to fix the car. The mechanic told me it is a somewhat common problem on the original plastic radiators. The new ones have extra reinforcement in that area and don't break. He said it happens because when the engine shakes, it also shakes that top raditor hose and eventually wears out that part of the radiator.

I think things could have been a lot worse so I am thankful that it is only the radiator I am replacing and not the engine too. I thought I would post this so some of you would be aware and not have the same thing happen to you.

Happy motoring,

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)