Radiator hose removal - how to get at it? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

byronnash · #1 02-28-2010, 02:56 PM

I have a small leak on the smaller of the two hoses on the passenger side of the radiator. They are right behind the bumper. When it's cold, I get coolant on the driveway, I don't think I'm losing too much and it doesn't seem to exacerbate when driving. I was going to try to pull the clamp off and put a new one on but can't figure out how to get up in there to remove it. Any suggestions? There isn't enough room to get a socket in there.

See the attached photo, the blue colored clamp is the one I need off.

79Mercy · #2 02-28-2010, 02:58 PM

use a small 1/4" wrench and loosen the clamp.

If thats not possible get the fan shroud out of the way.

byronnash · #3 02-28-2010, 03:01 PM

I'm having trouble getting anything up in there. Is the fan shroud hard to remove?

79Mercy · #4 02-28-2010, 03:10 PM

I think you have to remove the upper coolant hose, and then the 2 clips on the top of the rad, then it should pull up, or there might be 2 8mm bolts towards the bottom(not sure). But your not going to be moving it very much without taking out the fan. Im doing this off memory....

To remove the fan use a 10mm open ended wrench and remove the 4 bolts holding it to the water pump.

byronnash · #5 02-28-2010, 03:13 PM

OK thanks. It looks like taking the shroud off is the way to go. I wasn't sure what I needed to remove to get it clear. The 4 bolts on the pump sound like the way to do it from just looking at it. Thanks for the quick replies, this forum rocks.

tangofox007 · #6 02-28-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byronnash

It looks like taking the shroud off is the way to go.

If you use a wrench on the clamp, you should not need to remove anything else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79Mercy

To remove the fan use a 10mm open ended wrench and remove the 4 bolts holding it to the water pump.

Use an open-ended wrench (especially a cheap one) and you run a high risk of rounding off a bolt head or two.

79Mercy · #7 02-28-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

If you use a wrench on the clamp, you should not need to remove anything else.

Use an open-ended wrench (especially a cheap one) and you run a high risk of rounding off a bolt head or two.

The 4 10mm bolts that we were talking about require an open ended wrench. Your only option is to use a open ended wrench, because the fan clutch is almost right on top of the bolts.

tangofox007 · #8 02-28-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79Mercy

The 4 10mm bolts that we were talking about require an open ended wrench. Your only option is to use a open ended wrench, because the fan clutch is almost right on top of the bolts.

There is another option. Modify a box end wrench so that it fits.

Whether or not modification is required is a function of both wrench and clutch brand. Meyle clutches, for example, have a smaller shaft diameter so that clearance is not an issue.

byronnash · #9 02-28-2010, 04:14 PM

I think I got it all back together correctly. Those bolts to get the fan off are a pain, but once I had the shroud and fan out of the way, the hose was very easy to get to.

I poured coolant into the reservoir and also in to the large hose I had to take off to get the shroud loose. I hope this is correct for putting coolant back in that drained out when I pulled that hose.

Thanks for the help!

charmalu · #10 02-28-2010, 10:39 PM

The best wrench I have found to remove the 4 little fan bolts to water pump, is the Craftsman fully polished set. the 10mm box end is very thin and works well.
also the Snapp-on 10mm might work well also.

the normal Craftsman box end is too thick to work.

X2 on rounding off the bolt heads with an open end. It might work on a couple, then there is the one that is stubborn.

Charlie