Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-02-2003, 10:24 PM
Achieving Salvation
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Madison, Wis.
Posts: 223
Help with remanufactured radiator

Hello friends:

Am still working on getting my car back from a 12/29 accident. I received a call from the body shop on Friday that they had everything ALMOST done, and then they ran into a big snag.

They purchased and installed a remanufactured radiator. They filled it with coolant and took the car for a test drive, and apparently, the radiator blew up!! There must have been a hole or something, and when it pressured up, it blew the hole out.

My damage estimate from the insurance company shows that a remanufactured unit is $370.00. I checked FastLane, and they have a radiator for my car (a '93 190e 2.6 btw) for the exact same price.

Are the radiators that FastLane sells brand new or remanufactured like the one that blew up?

I'm trying to figure out what the best option is to get a GOOD radiator in there so I don't have to worry about it down the road.

I would be grateful for comments/feedback.

Thanks friends!

Take care-
Michael.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-02-2003, 11:41 PM
haasman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,097
Michael

Because of the construction of these radiators: aluminum core and plastic tanks on eithe side, it is VERY difficult to rebuild them. My understanding it is the actually attachment of the plastic tanks to the aluminum, where it is an art, a hit or miss.

I recently went through this with the 300E. I called several radiator shops and inquired into rebuilding mine. Three shops refused to do it unless I would decline any sort of guarantee from them. I have heard that there are shops that figured out how to do it, but for me the only way was replacement.

Additionally, the weakest portion is the "upper" neck where your upper radiator hose attaches. These tend to get brittle and break. The "new" radiators have reinforcement inside the necks to help them from breaking.

From everything I had learned and read, the way to go is to get a new one.

Haasman
__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-03-2003, 12:01 AM
jsmith's Avatar
Ronin
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: At Sea
Posts: 1,729
get the behr from fastlane. BTW, the remanufactured radiator should have at least come with a warranty for that price...
__________________
joE
1993 300e-2.8
- gone now <sigh>
"Do not adjust your mind, it's reality that's malfunctioning"
http://banners.wunderground.com/bann...L/Key_West.gif
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-03-2003, 07:09 AM
Achieving Salvation
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Madison, Wis.
Posts: 223
Hi guys:

Thanks a lot for the replies. From what you're saying, the only way to go is with a brand new one.

From Joe's post, I would assume that the Behr listed on FastLane is a brand new one?

Thanks for the help!

Take care-
Michael.
__________________
+AMDG+
2005 W203
Running as fast as I can to stay behind!!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-03-2003, 11:42 AM
JimVelca
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Michael,
I've used remanufactured radiators before and never had problems with them. The gaskets and plastic parts are normally new and the core is the only part that is refurbished. I'm positive it is pressure tested to check for leaks.
If the radiator was not damaged during the install process, there must be other factors causing your system to blow up the radiator. You might want to check the radiator cap and or the thermostat for proper operation before installing the brand new radiator.

Jim
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-03-2003, 11:26 PM
Achieving Salvation
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Madison, Wis.
Posts: 223
Hello everyone:

Thanks for all of the great replies. As always, you guys are great!!

I talked to the body shop this afternoon, and after the experience that they had with this remanufactured one, they are going to give me a brand new OEM radiator (I'm guessing it's a Behr since that's the brand that's OEM for Mercedes, right?).

Hopefully that will be ok. Other than that, I should have my beloved car back on Friday!

Thanks again. Take care.
Michael.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-03-2003, 11:51 PM
haasman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,097
Ooo one other thing. Get them to use ONLY MBZ anti-freeze. It is the best for your car and system. If they have a problem with this go out and get a couple gallons and bring it to them. You'll be glad you did, long-term.

Oh, and the MBZ coolant isn't green ..... or blue ..... its almost a clear color.

Haasman
__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-03-2003, 11:54 PM
Achieving Salvation
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Madison, Wis.
Posts: 223
Glad you mentioned that!! You can bet your bottom dollar that that will be something that I will inspect closely!! I actually have a gallon of MB coolant in my trunk in case anything ever happens (one can never be too careful!!).

Since they work on so many Mercedes-brand cars, I'm hoping that it will be a no brainer, but you know what they say when you assume!!!

Thanks much-
Michael.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:05 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page