The phosphates in the green coolant (or whatever is in there) appear to degrade the plastic badly. I've seen a couple failures, and have also found that when the hose nipple goes, the rest of the rad is ready for the trash, too.

Usually full of corrosion, and both tanks are very brittle.

Best to bite the bullet and put a new rad in BEFORE it blows and overheats.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!