Today I changed the oil and, as usual, visually checked everything around the engine compartment when finising up. I noticed that there was a very slight semicircular mark on the front of the engine. Upon further inspection, I found my radiator could be rocked back and forth. The clips that hold it at the top were unclipped. Fortunately they were still there and I clipped it back. After driving to work this afternoon, I popped the hood out of curiousity and the clips look like they've worked their way a bit loose, though the radiator is still being held where it should be.

My question: Is there anything else I should do/check?

Thanks,
Mike
'93 300E

The radiator is just a rest fit on top of two slots at the bottom and the clips prevent it from moving around (and possibly making contact with the fan). Boy were YOU lucky!

The clips are easy to connect and disconnect. It may be possible that a previous tech had done so to ease access to some other part in need of repair and forgot to reclip the radiator back on.

Check the integrity of your hoses and other connections, as the extra play may have worked things a bit loose.

Also, if the rad is original, they are prone to failure at the top inlet (stupid plastic neck). That may have been aggravated. Inspect for possible hariline cracks.

The replacement rads have a steel sleeve added for reinforcement...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

G-Benz has points well taken, but my question is, how do you get semicircular marks on the front of an engine?

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

Auxiliary fans? Perhaps he meant the front of the rad.

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Not possible since the aux fans are bolted to the top radiator support and the radiator is clipped to the other side of the same support with rubber pieces secured with the clips he mentioned. ???

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

Then...we would need to see pics to see what he's describing...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Sorry for not responding, but I was driving all day. Terrible weather, but the Benz handled it splendidly. I don't drive the car all that much but every time I do I'm reminded of what a great car it is.

Anyway, upon further inspection my description of the marks probably wasn't as good as it could have been. There's a plastic trim piece on the front part of the engine, and the mark is on that. Also, it looks like the mark is from the top part of the fan shroud hitting the plastic trim piece. When I head back home in a couple days I'll take a picture and post it on here.

I've noticed that the clips don't want to stay clipped; it seems that even after a short drive (or sitting in the garage) they work themselves out a bit. What do I need to do to take care of this?

Thanks,
Mike

Almost forgot -- I checked connections, etc., and everything looks OK. Fortunately.

I was finally able to take a picture to show you what it looks like. If you look at the front of the engine you can see where the fan shroud has bounced back and hit the plastic trim piece. Also, notice the clips -- they work their way back up every time I push them back down. I think I'm going to buy a new set of clips and see if it makes a difference.

Here's the picture:
http://tinyurl.com/2wlws

I would be real sure about the support at the bottom of the radiator. If the radiator isn't pulled down against it there is the posibility that the radiator bounces up over bumps dislodging the clips. There are two pins built to the base of the radiator. They are supported by rubber grommets. Be sure they exist.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Now that I'm starting to get a clearer picture, I'm wondering if the two clips that hold the radiator down and in place are missing.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

Are you talking about the two big clips at the top of the radiator? Those are still there; they just pop up on their own. Are there other clips I should be looking for?

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

As I recall there are only two clips, but these are radiator clips and not fan shroud clips. Just making sure we're on the same page.
Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

Yes, the two big clips that attach the radiator to the car (or at least are supposed to do so) are still there. I'm going to check out the lower stuff as suggested, and probably also buy a new set of clips to see if it helps.

My money is on the possibility that the clips are reversed in their orientation. They should "index" down. If backwards...