Well my daughter finally did it, standing idle for half an hour, did not check the gauges and when she pulled into the driveway a lot of steam came out of the front.

Views of the damage are shown below.

Can anyone diagnose
a:- what caused it ?

and b: suggested fix together with parts I need to order from Fastlane ?

I can guess, but I might miss something.

www.mss1.com/mike/1.jpg
www.mss1.com/mike/2.jpg
www.mss1.com/mike/3.jpg

Thanks

Mike

[Edited by mudditt on 04-28-2001 at 09:29 PM]

www.mss1.com/mike/3.jpg

sorry

[Edited by mudditt on 04-28-2001 at 09:29 PM]

Sorry again

__________________
1990 124, 300E 2.6 (daughter)
2004 Cayenne S, Fabspeed Cat Bypass, BMC Racing Filter
2000 Lexus RX 300 (Wife)
Retired 1999 ML430

I tried the link to your pics but it didn't work. Can you check them so we can get a look?

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

Work from here, both IE and Netscape see them, anyone help here ?

__________________
1990 124, 300E 2.6 (daughter)
2004 Cayenne S, Fabspeed Cat Bypass, BMC Racing Filter
2000 Lexus RX 300 (Wife)
Retired 1999 ML430

OK Jason try it now

__________________
1990 124, 300E 2.6 (daughter)
2004 Cayenne S, Fabspeed Cat Bypass, BMC Racing Filter
2000 Lexus RX 300 (Wife)
Retired 1999 ML430

looks like you need a new rad and hoses.
might as well change the thermostat, for
peace of mind. not big bucks, your lucky.

Pics work now, thanks. I would agree with Joel. In addition to fixing what is broken it might be a good idea to see if there are any non-obvious reasons it overheated and broke in the first place. Replacing the thermostat isn't a bad idea since they are cheap and easy, but it is not likely the cause since they are made to fail in the open position. Were there any problems before this with overheating or loosing coolant?

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

This is a all a too common problem. The neck of the radiator breaks from age, heat, elements,etc. This is a common problem and kind of a design defect so, don't be alarmed. The radiators are now plastic vs. metal older cars. Mine broke about a month or so ago. The bad news is you'll have to get a new radiator or have that one rebuilt. Check the links above for Partshop or Fastlane. Ask them if they have the necks with the metal sleeve inside. Rebuilding the hot side of the coolant tank with new tank and gaskets on both cold and hot tanks. It may not be worth it depending, on the cost. I paid like $215 at Reseda Radiator only, to find out I could've gotten a new one for about $50 more at another place. Make sure the new one has the metal sleeve inside the neck of the radiator so, this problem does not occur again.

-mike

I looked at the pics again but, not sure if your neck of radiator is broken or not. On pic 2, I thought it was but if there are pieces of the neck then, it is obviously broke. However, if it backed up the coolant into the hose. It could be a number of things. Sorry, for the wrong input.

Thanks for the responses, I am particularly thankfull to learn that its not uncommon.

The neck is cleanly broken off.

As far as other symptoms prior to this, the only thing that comes to mind is that I can't ever remember hearing the electric fans on the front running at all.

It had the flat seal replaced before I took delivery, (oil leak.

I had an alarm fitted, but all that did was stop the odometer (next project).

Right now I plan to buy (from ???)

Radiator (with metal inserts)
Top and bottom hoses
Thermostat
AntiFreeze
Misc clamps

Would this be a good time to flush the engine cooling system or would that be tempting fate ?

Mike

__________________
1990 124, 300E 2.6 (daughter)
2004 Cayenne S, Fabspeed Cat Bypass, BMC Racing Filter
2000 Lexus RX 300 (Wife)
Retired 1999 ML430

Mike,

It looked fairly obvious to me also that it was the infamous broken radiator tank inlet. All of the new ones do come with a metal insert to reduce the chance of a repeat performance.

Your prices from FastLane would be as follows:

Antifreeze 1 Gallon Part # Q 1 03 0002 - $11.98

Radiator Part # 124 500 90 03 - $294.03

Radiator Hose - lower Part # 124 501 33 82 - $8.49

Radiator Hose - upper Part # 124 501 94 82 - $10.73

Thermostat Kit Part # 110 200 05 15 - $16.69

The radiator and thermostat kit would both be OE BEHR...

Anyone can do this themselves, just click on the link to FastLane, enter the information about the car (not just Mercedes...) and choose the category of part, then the part. If you need the part #, choose "buy" and click on the window in the background...

You should be able to re-use the clamps on the car, and I would ask PartsShop/FastLane for a quote on the Mercedes Benz degreaser and citrus radiator flushes.

Definately flush the cooling system. You could even do it before removing the old radiator by using "mechanics wire" (baling wire) to re-attach the upper hose. Just take the clamp loose, run a couple of pieces of rire through it, reposition the hose, tighten the clamp enough to hold the wire, and while holding the hose snugly against the radiator, attach and tighten the wire and hose clamp enough to get a snug seal.

Then you can refill the cooling system, run the car to warm it up, and flush the system before taking it all apart to replace the parts.

You can also call a couple of radiator shops about replacing just the upper tank if the radiator is in good enough shape to warrant a repair...

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

Well I've got to hand it to MB, that radiator came out so easily, great design job. Now to buy the parts.

I have to questions, actually 1 in two parts.

Recommended Transmission fluid and anti freeze.

Philadelphia climate

Mike

[Edited by mudditt on 04-29-2001 at 06:36 PM]

__________________
1990 124, 300E 2.6 (daughter)
2004 Cayenne S, Fabspeed Cat Bypass, BMC Racing Filter
2000 Lexus RX 300 (Wife)
Retired 1999 ML430

Mike,

First, I recommend you use the factory antifreeze anticorrosion agent under the part # I already posted for you. You may also buy it from your local MB dealer. As for trans fluid, I believe the transmission comes with Dexron III. If I were going to do a complete change, I would replace it with Redline synthetic, but that's probably not what you're up to. If you're just topping off after the radaitor change, use whatever is already in the car.

If this happens to anyone while you are driving, and you need a temporary fix, here's some pictures to illustrate the repair I suggested in my last post to this thread:



It'll get you home...

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

You guys are great, I am ordering the stuff online now and planning a half day to install next week.

Longston, love the detail, I should have waited to get your post before I removed the rad. never mind though I will flush the engine when rebuilt.

I will let you know when I am finished.

Mike

__________________
1990 124, 300E 2.6 (daughter)
2004 Cayenne S, Fabspeed Cat Bypass, BMC Racing Filter
2000 Lexus RX 300 (Wife)
Retired 1999 ML430