Finally,the dreaded broken rad neck plastic happened to me.1.5cm rim came off when I removed upper hose to check leak.
This and no air cond.make me think about trading in for a new car.
Fastlane has two choices for rad,Nissens and Behr,one the Nissens is cheaper,any advice on choosing between the two?Are they both metal core now esp the neck?


My intended temp fix will be:
I bought a piece of rad hose ,the outer diam fits the inner diam of the neck very well,flush.Put inside neck.Use U-fix-it radiator tank repair kit(epoxy+fibre glass) to reapir outside of neck.Will report on progress,to see how many days this hold.I live in Canada and will have to wait for a longer period for a mail order rad.

Any advice will be welcome!Dealer rad=500 C$

Tom

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Tom 2010 C250 4-matic Sport (Canada)

I have the same problem. I stopped by a radiator shop to see about getting a new tank top. The main guy said it would run about ninety bucks (California money), that's parts and labor to remove the old one and install the new one. I didn't ask but I'm sure that's if I bring the radiator in.

We took a shake down cruise in the "new" 81 300SD last month and went up into your Country. Its all I can think about. We did the "Selkirk loop", (northeastern Washington, Idaho panhandle and into B.C. through Nelson). It's my kind of country!

I just remembered that Longston posted a quick temporary fix for the broken neck problem. I looked for it but couldn't find it . What it amounts to is...before you tighten the hose clamp, run a piece of tiewire under the hose clamp then under the spring clamp in front of the radiator then join the two loose ends of the wire and twist until tight. I only did one wire but if I remember right his picture showed a second wire tied to another point.

Good luck and lets hear how things turn out.

Ernie

How about a threaded pipe nipple, maybe 1/8 NPT, brass or similar. Drill hole to size, tap, epoxy and clamp hose over that. Have to check size, but...? Compressed air fittings come to mind.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

First, between the two choices of new radiator, I'd select the Nissens, but try to find out if it comes with the brass sleeve insert. And, no, the repacement radators are all still an aluminum core with plastic tanks, but SOME will have a brass insert in the upper tank hose connection inlet. I can't find any all metal replacements anywhere...

Second, as for repair, you could insert a brass or even another metal sleeve into the interior of the neck, and fix with epoxy, but be sure the expoxy is both temperature and water resistant. Check the archives, there's a specific brand listed in a previous thread. Also you can get some resources from www.imcool.com.

Finally, here's a pic for a very temporary fix:

Attached Thumbnails

 

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

I've had excellent luck with Reseda Radiator (www.resedaradiator.com). Got a rebuilt Behr for the 300TE and the 733i from them. They basically redo the plastic parts, on the ones I received the upper hose connection was the new-type reinforced with an inner metal sleeve.

No affiliation, just a happy customer. Be sure to specify whether you care if the radiator has been painted on top or not.

Brian
89 300TE 165,xxx
84 733i 5speed 150,xxx

too bad to are in toronto. had a new rad put in for
under 200 canadian $ total (rad, labor, taxes).

You must be pulling my leg.200C$x100 divided by 115=174$
Assuming labour=74C$.That is only 100C$ for the radiator or 65US$ for the raditor.
Pray tell the brand of radiator,as I have just purchased a 200+US$ radiator and feels like an idiot if what you say is true.
Regards,

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Tom 2010 C250 4-matic Sport (Canada)

tom-
next time you're in Vancouver, give a shout
i'll take to the shop and buy you lunch, too!! and that is true!!!
cheers

Thanks for posting that picture. Temp repair.
My radiator neck on the 300SE is giving up, so tomorrow I go to have it replaced.Unfortunately, no time for fastlane order and DIY

Holiday visitors soon.

Happy Thankgiving!!!!!!!!!!!

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

NEW CAR? or new raditor! on your beloved friend ,compare the prices of the two in large print on note pad with your morning tea ...........
William Rogers.........

I replaced my radiator with a new Behr back in May and was disappointed to see no reinforced neck. The original Behr that I replaced was also not reinforced.

A few months ago there was a post here indicating that Behr was no longer selling radiators with reinforced necks? I do not know this to be true, but I purchased mine from an MB dealer for just over $200 and again, it was a Behr and it came without the metal sleeve I've heard so much about.

Over on the Ritter-Easley list I've read mixed feelings about Nissen. Some have reported higher operating temps; others say they're fine.

Personally I'll stick with what MB put in the car - Behr.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Go with the BEHR!!! I went with the Nissens and it only lasted me a bit under 12 months before I had to deal with overheating. I have a post about my ordeal and I thought that my overheating was everything but my brand new radiator. My original Behr was broken at the neck when I bought it. I just happen to check my hoses and saw that the P.O. just moved the hose forward (it never overheated even though the neck was broken so I kept it).

I think I paid about $180 for the Nissens and luckily I was able to get a Brand new Behr with reinforced necks for about the same price delivered to my door and my 126 (560 SEL) has been running just fine ever since. I did keep the Nissens for extra parts since it didn't look too bad (on the outside anyway) and will probably get it rodded just in case I need it again. My original behr is still in the garage also for a just in case scenario because it still worked perfectly although the neck was broken to where the sleeve was just shorter.

I would never risk trying to do an "easy fix" with my MB's because the money you try to save will end up screwing up the car and eventually will cost a mint to repair once it goes to a point of no return as far as engine damage from overheating and all of the miracle solutions available that claim to fix everything. I'd rather just replace with top notch parts and drive with confidence. My .02

Good luck

Alan

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1997 E320
1986 560SEL
1983 300SD
1972 220D
1970 250C SOLD
1971 250C SOLD

I performed this repair this summer (7-25-02) -so far so good.


"OK I fixed it! I used JBWeld. Not a very glamorous repair but very well done.

The neck broke off in two half pieces. I glued them together with JBWeld and let them harden. I then took this assembly and glued it on to the plastic radiator neck where they came off originally.

I made sure the surfaces were VERY clean. I put JBWeld on the mating surfaces and extra both inside and outside all along where the break was.

I let these dry for about 15 hours. I attached the hose, drove through 100 degree weather with the AC on going up 6% grades. The coolant temp got up to 100 C. I feel this was a great stress test.

The repair doesn't leak and seems as hard as a rock."

http://www.peachparts.com/shopfor...ighlight=jbweld

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

When my rad neck broke, I threaded a 1" (I think) metal reducing bushing into the neck and attached the hose. I chose a reducing bushing over a standard pipe nipple because the wrench lands provide additional support to prevent the hose from slipping off. Its been in use for over 2 years and close to 55,000 miles with no problems.

J.Chip

replaced rad in my 201 with Nissen about 14 month ago. Not a blessed problem since.

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1985 190D 2.2l Sold-to Brother-in-law
1996 Mustang 3.8l -"thinks it's a sports car"
1988 Grand Wagoneer - Sold (good home)
1995 Grand Cherokee Ltd -"What was I thinking??!!"