Is it possible to fit a 300E radiator into a 190e 2.6. Without changing or messing with the hood latching mechanism. I am getting really hot temps in summer traffic. The aux fans turn on....but the temp doesnt come down. Im not sure if I just need a new rad. Is there a way i can determine whether my rad has lived its life?

Your car is - let's see - something on the order of 12-18 years old, right?

Unless you can document that the coolant has been changed at least every three years with MB antifreeze, it's likely that it has a lot of deposit buildup, and if it's seen "green antifreeze" I will assure you, ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY that is DOES have significant deposit buildup that has significantly reduced its heat transfer capacity.

A flow test will not prove or disprove anything - only a visual inspection of the core tube interior will, which will require the end tanks to be removed and replaced, which most radiator shops cannot do on this type of aluminum matrix/plastic side tank design, however, a few shops around the country can.

Trust me, the OE cooling system is more than adequate to maintain the acceptable range of cooling system temperature, which is 80-105C, anywhere on earth, so you do not need to "re-engineer" the system. You merely need to restore the original radiator's heat transfer capacity by installing a new or competently overhauled OE spec radiator.

Stop and go driving in warm to hot weather can cause the coolant temperature to climb to 105C, which is the point that the electic fans engage at high speed. They should drop the temp to about 100C where they disengage within about 60 seconds. If not, the radiator is probably clogged up and needs replacement.

Duke

I appreciate this information, thx guys. Is it possible to dismantle the tanks? Or will I end up ruining the rad completely?

Also, when I bought the car it had the green stuff in it so thats what I ended up using in terms of coolant. What should I be using? The red stuff? Or should I just buy coolant from MB?

Considering that the coolant is in the car for a couple years (recommend service interval) it's cheap to get the MB coolant or the Zerex equivalent. Don't cheap out on coolant since there are a lot of expensive parts counting on it.

Done and done. Thx again.

How do you mean, "had mine done as..." did u get them replaced? Repaired??

BTW....my rad has already given up on the top neck....I have to use a large clamp to keep the hose on.

Indeed, well I can do the labour myself, thats not hard at all. But the rad itself is costing me about $247 US. And thats the cheapest I have seen it. Nissen Brand.

Any where I can get it cheaper??

Can get a new radiator for your 190e 2.6 at: www.adsitco.com.
$195 if you order online.

wow!!!