Hi,

Can someone tell me please whether a 1971 280se 3.5 has a coolant expansion tank? There is not one on my car, but it could be missing, as many parts were. I don't see where one would live however, and don't seem to have spotted one in any pics.

Thanks for the help.

This answer is: Maybe. I have seen W111 bodies of this car, the coupes, with the round metal expansion tank that is mounted to the firewall and I have seen them without it.

I have never seen an expansion tank on a 108 or 109.

But to do it right..... The Catalog of Illustrations I have does not show it for the 108 body. The 111 body catalog shows it to be present.

Thanks for the reply. Is there a chance you could find a photo please? I really don't see where one would go, or how it would be plumbed in from the radiator, on my car at least, which is a European coupe. Maybe that makes a difference. I appreciate the reply.

d

Contact Thomas.Hanson@mbusa.com

Tom is the Parts Manager at the MBZ Classic Center in Irvine.

I look at 3.5 coupes online frequently and have never seen one on an actual car. Mine does not have one.

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Tony H
W111 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Manual transmission

Past cars:
Porsche 914 2.0
'64 Jaguar XKE Roadster
'57 Oval Window VW
'71 Toyota Hilux Pickup Truck-Dad bought new
'73 Toyota Celica GT

I've heard and seen the metal expansion tanks but never seen one mounted before. Usually it's just the hose that runs along the side of the radiator and spills coolant onto the ground.

I have seen aftermarket/universal expansion(or reservoir) tanks and they don't look too bad and would probably be better so you're not topping off the coolant that spills onto the ground as often. And also the radiator can take it back in when it needs to.

Thanks all.

I emailed Tom, and he gave me a very concise answer. The car never had one.

That can be filed for future reference.

Thanks again,

Dave

That is correct as I own a W111 280SE 3.5 as well. Please note that the heater box has to be removed to change the heater hoses. I have recently performed this effort. While not as much work as other cars I've owned, it's still not for the faint of heart!!

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All the best,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1970 280SE 3.5 Cabrio
1987 560SL
1990 560SEL

None of these had an actual coolant tank. Some had them retrofitted, and others over the course of the years had conversions to closed systems done, such as on the 116, which didn't use an overflow tank but rather a pressurized expansion tank. No 111, 112, 108 or 109 had such a system or a recovery bottle. A recovery bottle can be a cheap way to protect the environment AND help minimize the coolant you need to add over time if you use a two-way radiator cap.

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k