M110 Radiator Help Needed

[Apodman]

My 280E W123 is leaking coolant from the seam at the top of the core where it meets the shoulders of the radiator. When I find the actual location of the leak, can I solder this? Is that seam between metal and plastic?

I have not had cooling problems, but then it has not been above 40 degrees in months. I am getting a lot of belt squeel, that I assume is attributable to the leaking coolant, both started at the same time. We did have some sub-0 weather a while back, but I keep the coolant mixed 50/50 DexCool/distilled H2O. It almost seems to be like there was some freezing going on to split the top seam.

New radiators are ~$275. Should I repair or replace?

Thanks, Alex

[cth350]

not fixable. Somebody had a W116 radiator on ebay a few days ago.
They should be available new from any of the non-dealer vendors. Fastlane for instance. -CTH

[Tomguy]

I remember hearing at some point that people often replace the plastic rads with all-aluminum ones from Subarus or something? I'm not sure, so do a forum search. It might be a cheaper and more reliable alternative than the plastic one.

[300SDog]

LOL, Tomguy - that was me talkin about the Japanese upgrade to the horrible plastic MB w123 radiator.

Dunno what kinda car the replacement came from, because I bought it for $35 off the radiator rack at the local junkyard, shameless and pitiful poverty stricken cobbler that I am.

Japanese radiator is marked "8/99/59-497/2 no.001647 TRS Tokyo mfg co."
This fit my stick shift 240D with zero problems. Hoses and mounting lined up perfect, even allowing space for the oil cooler.

Using this parts# at the Subaru/Toyota/Mitusbishi dealership parts counter maybe an upgrade radiator can be tracked down for the automatic 280E..... probably 1/2 the price of MB original plastic POS designed by crackpot 'plastics' engineer.

Meanwhile use aluminum dust / stop leak, that's what I'd do.