I have a Valeo 819379 radiator in a 1982 300SD. The top plastic tank blew with a 6" long crack. Upon checking the core with inspection mirrors, the core looks pristine. Also, this is a copper radiator with a 66 row core. Nissens only has a 55 row core and Behr has only a 35 row core.

Does anyone know of a source of replacement tanks for these radiators?

I did find another Valeo radiator. Only problem is that it's located in Latvia.

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Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

If you some place that has a sizable town you could ask the Radiator shop.

Maybe someone can post a site where you can look up the Mercedes part number and see if the tank is a separate item.

This is just a caution. I had a gasser car where the plastic tank split like you said 6 inches. However, the reason for the split was that the transverse Engine (no mechanical fan) had overheated due to a shot circuit in the electrical cooling fan the burned out the fuse.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

The tank might have blown because your thermostat is bad. That's what happened to mine. I put in my new expansion tank and the car overheated within 15 minutes. Bad thermostat.

The reservoir cap should vent to relieve pressure ~16 psig, so doubt a bad T-stat could cause it to blow. I have never seen radiator tanks sold separate, but that would be good if available. Let us know what you find.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans