Radiator replacement 1982 380SL

[RainmanP]

I am new to the forum and have already gotten a lot of good info about the eccentricities and common aging failures on this car, many of which I already have and now have ideas how to deal with.

I "inherited" this car from my daughter a couple of years ago and have been trying to decide whether to keep it or sell it. It is in pretty good shape and runs well but does need quite a bit of work. She bought it used but was overwhelmed by the amount of work it needed then got a job with a bad commute and needed something more reliable so I took this car and leased a new one for her. I think she was relieved to be out of it. Since I just spent a bundle having the AC compressor and evaporator/drier replaced I guess I have decided to keep it.

We were told a couple of years ago that the radiator was on borrowed time, but a shot of stop leak has kept it in check until a few days ago. I was told by a radiator shop and a couple of mechanics that the radiator for this car is unusual. No one could even get one from their distributors, and "If I could get it it would cost 1000 bucks!" So I decided to do it myself. It came today so I will be (hopefully) installing it this weekend. I consider myself something more than a neophyte mechanic, a comfortable and knowledgable tool user. I have done basic maintenance and repairs but nothing sophisticated. For example, I have replaced thermostats but never a water pump.

I searched to try to find specialized information on removing and installing this "unusual" radiator but didn't see anything specific to this year/model. The instructions in the Chilton's manual I have sound pretty straightforward, but it covers many years.
Drain
Disconnect transmission cooler, oil cooler, hoses
Remove fan shroud clips and shroud
Remove radiator clips
Remove radiator
Reverse

Am I missing something? Is there something different or unusual about removing and installing the radiator for the '82 380SL?
Thanks,
Raymond

[450slcguy]

Funny how for a $1000 bucks they could get you one from their suppliers.

Within 1 minute of surfing the net you could locate 50 "suppliers" way under $500 bucks. Tell you mechanic to take a hike and do it yourself.

[ewenjo]

Removing the radiator is very simple as the instructions say. Two side clips basically hold the radiator in a rail (channel) on each side. UNsnap the clips and pull straight up ward. Remember to detach the lower and upper radiator hoses and transmission cooling feed and return lines. When disconnecting the tranny oil lines there will be some leakage. There is no pressure other than gravity so a simple plug ( a golf tee) or a baggy and tape will stem the flow. OH yeah... it helps to drain the radiator before you do all this previous stuff ( plug is on the engine side bottom) You knew this of course!

[RainmanP]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Yep, I have read over the instructions several times, and it looks straightforward. My only concern was that I was told several times that this is a special radiator so I thought the process might have more to it.

Why are these radiators so much more expensive than even other MB rads?

I will be tackling this little project Saturday so wish me luck!
Thanks again,
Raymond

[page62]

There is nothing special about this radiator. Install it as you would any other.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Mercedes "SL Tax"!

[lynns]

Originally Posted by RainmanP

Why are these radiators so much more expensive than even other MB rads?

Thanks again,
Raymond

The reason these radiator's cost so much is because they are Behr radiators and the core is Aluminum like in high performance engines. You may want to check and see if you got one of the newer upgraded versions that have a inner support to the plastic kneck. The plastic kneck is know for it's weakness of cracking with age.

Please take a look at M-B OEM parts

I don't know what p/n you ended with?

107501 1701 $893.80
107501 1301 $910.20
107501 0901 $885.60

A 1989 560Sl Behr radiator 107500 2603 costs $512.50 plus ship.

[Russo]

I have just joined this Site. I am replacing my radiator in my 1982 Mercedes 380sl
my question is do I need to Disassemble the side rails on the original radiator and install then on the new replacement radiator.

[Russo]

I'm new to this forum, I am replacing the radiator in my 1982 Mercedes 380sl do I need to disassemble the side rails on the original radiator and assemble them
on the new replacement radiator

[rowdie]

The radiator is one piece. There are rubber pieces on each side that keep it from moving around. Check the service manual. Online version Model 107

[Russo]

Thank you for the link, but the Radiator did not come with the side rails all that was supplied in the box was the top and bottom tank assembled to the radiator core.

[rowdie]

Originally Posted by Russo

Thank you for the link, but the Radiator did not come with the side rails all that was supplied in the box was the top and bottom tank assembled to the radiator core.

Post a picture of your radiator. All the ones I can find have the stock configuring without anything extra needed. https://www.google.com/search?q=mercedes++380SL+radiator+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

[Ycguy1117]

I have followed directions to remove radiator. Everything disconnected
But radiator will not come out.

[okyoureabeast]

Originally Posted by Ycguy1117

I have followed directions to remove radiator. Everything disconnected
But radiator will not come out.

Push harder.

No really. If it's not been a while since it was removed, they can be stuck pretty good.