Just got a call from MBI Motors in Portland (independent shop that came highly recommended). I asked them to take a look at the timing chain on my 160,000 mile 500SEL. The owner said the timing chain was stretched (never been changed), the guides had lots of cracks, and the tensioner needed to be replaced.

I guess I was VERY lucky!!

He said that the radiator neck had been shortened and I should replace the radiator. I asked that he reinstall the old one and I would start looking for a used one.

Ray

You have a used radiator don't buy a used one!!!!. The new one is updated and will be the last one you will buy if the hose clamps are not over-tightened.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Benzmac,

If those hose clamps aren't overtightened to begin with, is there a chance that the radiator neck will still break on an original radiator? I've lost two radiators due to broken necks so far..

How tight should they be made? Just enough so it doesn't leak?

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2003 S500 Black/Charcoal
1990 560SEL 61k Arctic White/Grey

SOLD:
1988 420SEL Black/Palomino Sold @ 85k
1987 420SEL Midnight Blue/Grey
1986 420SEL Diamond Blue/Grey
1983 380SEL Champagne/Palomino

I had all kinds of problems with my hoses leaking here and there. The pressure in a Benz is pretty high. On the order of 20 psi. I had to really tighten all my hose clamps a couple of times before they'd stop leaking.

Are radiators built that cheap that they'd break?

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)