Transmission cooler line on radiator, 87 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BodhiBenz1987 · #1 04-07-2011, 06:30 PM

I just installed a new Behr radiator on my 87 300D, and I noticed the new radiator doesn't have a place for the top transmission line (the one that runs over the top of the radiator and connects to the driver's side cooler line) to clip into place. It bolts into place and reaches over the radiator as it should, but it can easily be jiggled up and down and this makes me nervous. The old radiator had little holes at the top and bottom of the driver's side to clip the line onto to hold it in place. Am I missing something here? Do I need a different kind of clip? Or do I need to replace the line? I'm sure this is the right radiator, I got it from the dealer based on my VIN, it fits perfectly, everything else is right. Here are some pics:
Old radiator

New radiator installed with line kind of "resting" on top

From bottom, with new line attached

So it fits, but there's nothing holding it in place so I'm afraid it will jostle and rub.

vstech · #2 04-07-2011, 07:33 PM

I cannot see any pics. I looked at your post, and the img source is pointing to an amazon file of some kind... only you can see it.
try uploading to a public folder, or a public pic share site like photobucket, or google picassa or imageshack...

vstech · #3 04-07-2011, 07:34 PM

I'm going to go look at how my lines are mounted, in the stock radiator, and see if I can make any suggestions.

BodhiBenz1987 · #4 04-07-2011, 07:36 PM

Rats, I'll try to repost the pics in a few minutes, I'm at work but will do so when I get a break. Sorry!

vstech · #5 04-07-2011, 07:42 PM

Mine has a hole in the top of the radiator near the driver's side bend here:

I wire tied the flex line in place below that point where the flex connects to the steel line, wire tied to the fan shroud hard to see in the photo, but it's down there.

BodhiBenz1987 · #6 04-07-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Mine has a hole in the top of the radiator near the driver's side bend here:

I wire tied the flex line in place below that point where the flex connects to the steel line, wire tied to the fan shroud hard to see in the photo, but it's down there.

Thanks! That's how the old radiator looks ... with that hole, and the line had a clip holding it on (the clip is still on the line and I have all the hardware). Maybe I could just drill a hole? Here are the pics from before, attached. Hope they come out clear. The first one is the old rad ... I didn't think to take a shot of the new radiator before putting it in.

vstech · #7 04-07-2011, 08:16 PM

should be NO problem drilling a hole in that top plate. GOOD drill bit. fast drill! don't stress the plastic tank!

BodhiBenz1987 · #8 04-07-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

should be NO problem drilling a hole in that top plate. GOOD drill bit. fast drill! don't stress the plastic tank!

Sounds like a plan. I'm still kind of puzzled as to why there isn't a hole in the new design, but I guess as long as I make it secure it'll be OK.

BodhiBenz1987 · #9 04-09-2011, 08:12 PM

Well, now I'll be replacing that line anyway.

I started it up after filling with coolant and as I was checking for coolant leaks, I saw this puddle out of the corner of my eye:

I remember it being a little too resistant when I screwed it on, and I should have been smart enough to know it was cross-threaded. I hope it didn't cause any harm to the transmission. Volume-wise I don't think it's a lot and the car didn't even run a minute. Just idle because I hadn't finished checking and filling the coolant. At best, I have to replace the hard cooler line and the brand new soft one.

aaa · #10 04-10-2011, 05:32 AM

Nothing happened to the transmission.

BodhiBenz1987 · #11 04-15-2011, 07:43 PM

Follow-up: I ended up replacing the over-the-radiator line after stripping the fitting. I didn't want to take chances trying to file it into shape, as is was really mashed. The new line was $90, so lesson learned! Interestingly, the new line fits the radiator a bit "snugger" over the top, so the clips probably aren't quite as necessary. Maybe that's why the new radiator doesn't have holes. I decided to drill them and place the new clips on anyway, though. Just a word to the wise, from an idiot: Be really careful drilling the holes, especially on the bottom where it's a tough angle with little room to work. I nicked the bottom of the radiator, pretty scary, although it didn't appear to go through and hit anything. No way near far enough to hit the bottom tube. Still, stupid. This was apparently my week of learning by doing stupid things. But, the transmission is fine, the radiator is fine, and now I can move on to the next problem.

I'll post a picture of the new top line later for anyone curious.

babymog · #12 04-15-2011, 08:20 PM

For parts like this line, which don't wear out, there are plenty of used ones here.

BodhiBenz1987 · #13 04-15-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

For parts like this line, which don't wear out, there are plenty of used ones here.

Very true, that would have been a smarter solution wouldn't it?

I'm sure there are plenty available in the parts forum as we speak.

babymog · #14 04-15-2011, 08:40 PM

If not, just ask. I have a spare used one in my throw-away pile on the garage floor, as might others.

vstech · #15 04-15-2011, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

Just a word to the wise, from an idiot: Be really careful drilling the holes, especially on the bottom where it's a tough angle with little room to work. I nicked the bottom of the radiator, pretty scary, although it didn't appear to go through and hit anything. No way near far enough to hit the bottom tube.

important important important!!!!
THIS IS WHY I STRESSED GOOD DRILL AND SHARP BIT
it's easy to get the bit to catch the aluminum and rip the cooler apart too!
be REALLY careful drilling into the radiator!