W108 Radiator help - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mamali · #1 02-09-2021, 12:20 PM

I can not find any replacements. What does everybody do rebuild? Can not find a radiator shop that still rebuilds either. Any thoughts?

Idle · #2 02-09-2021, 01:02 PM

See if you can find a part number on the top and post that. I have seen these both with and without the oil cooler. Most US cars, but not all, have this and that is important, too.

Also v8 or six?

mamali · #3 02-09-2021, 02:47 PM

Sorry its a 6. 280SE M130 Engine. I will get the number.

aluminum · #4 02-10-2021, 12:40 AM

If you have a Auto transmission it has a oil cooler Most likley on the side or at bottom
Its a Copper Radator So easy to repair Brass tank's top and bottom
I just soldered some leaks on mine no problumb its easy > Acid Core solder propain torch low heat . When the Copper is hot enoufgh to melt the solder thats the right heat .

Should be easy to find a radator shop to repair ir < Rod it out > and stop all the leaks
Far cheaper then a replacement .
Sounds like you found some shops that just want to sell you a new one ?

rumb · #5 02-10-2021, 01:43 PM

several on fleabay

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=w108+radiator&_sacat=0

mamali · #6 02-10-2021, 03:14 PM

Thanks no radiator shops around here that I have found. Noone stocks replacements either.

Tom Drew · #7 02-10-2021, 06:17 PM

Culpepper Radiator Service
3511 Race Street
Portsmouth, VA 23707. 800-731-7031

https://www.culpepperradiator.com/

filp · #8 02-11-2021, 10:14 AM

I should have a spare in good working order if you're interested

JMela · #9 02-11-2021, 11:45 PM

Where are you located, approximately? Perhaps we could help you find a place.

mamali · #10 02-12-2021, 02:20 PM

Northern Virginia.

mamali · #11 02-13-2021, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filp

I should have a spare in good working order if you're interested

PM Sent. Thanks

Idle · #12 02-13-2021, 03:18 PM

An opinion that is neither here nor there......

I think a lot of radiator shops don't want to mess with anything strange. And these days a full metal radiator is strange. Shops are set up to replaced the plastic tanks and gaskets, not to rebuild a 108 or similar radiator.

So many of them will tell you no one does this. Sorry.

But about 20 years ago there was a shop in Tulsa that took on one of these. I mean, if you are set-up for it they are not hard to rebuild. They are just different.

The word spread that there was a guy who would rebuild older Mercedes radiators and suddenly he was covered up with business. Not just from Mercedes folks but anyone who owned a 1960s car. He finally quit newer radiator repair and focused only on vintage.

I don't know if he is still around. I remember he said about 95% of his work was from outside of Tulsa. And this is important, too. It is not good enough to find a place that can do this. If they are not near you they have to be willing to ship them to the customer.

The bad thing was this was not cheap. The good thing was once it was done it was good for the next 30 years.

I would think, but don't know for sure, that a look through a Hemmng's Motor News under the Services Offered section would turn up a few shops.

napster · #13 02-14-2021, 10:54 AM

I am in the NOVA area as well and had the radiator in my 72 4.5 re-cored by Arlington armature a few years ago. They sub the work out to a local guy. I talked to them about getting the radiator to cool more. They kept the original OEM radiator frame and changed to two larger tubes & increased the fins from 12 to 16.
At the same time the entire cooling system was given a vinegar flush and then a flush using Prestone Radiator Flush and CLeaner.

Since the re-core/flush mine has been running a little cooler according to the temp gauge.

Arlington Armature - Part Sales and Repair | Lorton, LA

mamali · #14 02-16-2021, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by napster

I am in the NOVA area as well and had the radiator in my 72 4.5 re-cored by Arlington armature a few years ago. They sub the work out to a local guy. I talked to them about getting the radiator to cool more. They kept the original OEM radiator frame and changed to two larger tubes & increased the fins from 12 to 16.
At the same time the entire cooling system was given a vinegar flush and then a flush using Prestone Radiator Flush and CLeaner.

Since the re-core/flush mine has been running a little cooler according to the temp gauge.

Arlington Armature - Part Sales and Repair | Lorton, LA

Thanks