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Old 09-10-2008, 05:51 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 31
Swapped radiator on 2001 ML430

I thought I share my experience as I didn't find much when I was searching for input.

Why swap radiator?
- It was leaking about a quart a day. The plastic to aluminum radiators only last so long and I have 118k miles on it.

Where and how much?
www.aboveallmotorwerks.com
- $273 for stock unit and upper/lower hose - shipped and delivered next day
- Leaked out some power steering fluid and coolant on the gargage floor

How hard?
- Not very.
I used www.alldatadiy.com for hints and instructions, but its really very straight forward. Took me a little more than 4 hours.
Toughest part was to remove a stupid rubber thing that goes through the AC condenser and the radiator. It doesn't unscrew - have to cut it, but I didn't know.
Spilling some power steering fluid and coolant on the garage floor made it quite slippery.

Instructions OK?
- I didn't take out my headlamps. Unbolting and pulling them out to get to a bolt on each side was enough.
- I did not disconnect the hood-release - just folded the front cross member up over the engine.
- Same for AC Condenser, folded it up over the engine.
- Did not remove the viscous fan. Once the upper crossmember is gone and the driver side hoses disconnected - the radiator can be tilted forward to get the shroud off. (Shroud needs to come off to get to the ATF connectors.)

Else, the car is doing well. Below is a short list of things I had to do:
- Rotors and pads. Brakes are great, but rotors wear out for every 2nd pad swap.
- Drivers side motor mount (at around 100k mi). A PIA to swap, until I realized that you can get to it through the wheelhouse and lift the engine with a log.
- Fold and tumble wire/handle on passenger side 2nd row seat for 3rd row access. People bend the handle sideways and it snaps off. (2 or 3 times, but easy to swap)
- Battery swapped 3 times. Now have one with AAA warranty.
- Window control panel swapped also around 100k mi. Coca cola and wear probable cause. Easy job.

I don't go to the local dealer unless I have to - their pricing is too steep for simple things.

Cheers,
Nik


Last edited by nimo; 09-10-2008 at 05:54 PM. Reason: added photo
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