92 300E 124w Hoses - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tarheel75 · #1 03-12-2009, 02:01 PM

My 92 300E has 112k miles on it. I've been the second owner for the last nine years. Thanks to the IDIOTS in DC I'll be keeping it for a few more years. With the exception of the water pump hose all remaining hoses are original.
Question: As a precautionary measure before taking a trip this spring/summer which hoses should I consider replacing? They appear good from the outside but usually they deteriorate from the inside out.

Tarheel

E150GT · #2 03-12-2009, 03:55 PM

they shouls all wear at the same rate, so if one is bad, replace em all

OliverVB · #3 03-13-2009, 10:10 AM

My '90 has the same mileage as your '93. Both top & bottom radiator hoses have been replaced. Other coolant hoses are original and, like yours, seem to be in very good condition as far as an external examination can determine. Since the water pump hose (small hose between the pump & thermostat housing?) seems to have been replaced, I would replace the radiator hoses as they take a bit more stress from flexing as the engine torques on the mounts. Be careful with the top plastic hose flange on the radiator as they are known to become brittle and break. Many folks replace the radiator after 10-15 years before this flange snaps off while under way, causing loss of coolant and engine damage. The flange on new radiators is reinforced internally with a metal band. I am a fan of preventative maintenance and plan to do the radiator, water pump, pump-to-thermostat hose, air pump bearing, etc. all at the same time in the near future. Don't like going into the same area multiple times to fix individual parts and don't like breaking down on the road because of a failed part I could have replaced before hand. Some after-market radiator hoses are slightly more flexible and put a little less stress on the top radiator flange as the engine moves on the mounts. Don't want to start a flame-fest about O.E. parts vs after-market parts. Just an observation I have made.

tarheel75 · #4 03-14-2009, 10:48 AM

Thanks for your reply/comments regarding hoses. I replaced my radiator in 2002 with a refurbished unit that had reinforced flanges. My shop mechanic told me about potential OEM radiator problems when I had my a/c system converted to accept the new freon R134a. The water pump and hose was replaced during that same time period. Needless to say, 2002 was an expen$ive year. The short hose going to the thermostat housing appears to be an original and will be the next replacement. All other smaller hoses appear to be OK. I find the 92 300E a very comfortable riding car and as for MPG it's reasonable on highway trips even though premium is required. I've considered changing to a mid 2002-2004 ML320 but they ride like a truck and MPG is lower than my 300E.

Tarheel75