Swapped radiator on 2001 ML430 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nimo · #1 09-10-2008, 05:51 PM

I thought I share my experience as I didn't find much when I was searching for input.

Why swap radiator?
- It was leaking about a quart a day. The plastic to aluminum radiators only last so long and I have 118k miles on it.

Where and how much?
www.aboveallmotorwerks.com
- $273 for stock unit and upper/lower hose - shipped and delivered next day
- Leaked out some power steering fluid and coolant on the gargage floor

How hard?
- Not very.
I used www.alldatadiy.com for hints and instructions, but its really very straight forward. Took me a little more than 4 hours.
Toughest part was to remove a stupid rubber thing that goes through the AC condenser and the radiator. It doesn't unscrew - have to cut it, but I didn't know.
Spilling some power steering fluid and coolant on the garage floor made it quite slippery.

Instructions OK?
- I didn't take out my headlamps. Unbolting and pulling them out to get to a bolt on each side was enough.
- I did not disconnect the hood-release - just folded the front cross member up over the engine.
- Same for AC Condenser, folded it up over the engine.
- Did not remove the viscous fan. Once the upper crossmember is gone and the driver side hoses disconnected - the radiator can be tilted forward to get the shroud off. (Shroud needs to come off to get to the ATF connectors.)

Else, the car is doing well. Below is a short list of things I had to do:
- Rotors and pads. Brakes are great, but rotors wear out for every 2nd pad swap.
- Drivers side motor mount (at around 100k mi). A PIA to swap, until I realized that you can get to it through the wheelhouse and lift the engine with a log.
- Fold and tumble wire/handle on passenger side 2nd row seat for 3rd row access. People bend the handle sideways and it snaps off. (2 or 3 times, but easy to swap)
- Battery swapped 3 times. Now have one with AAA warranty.
- Window control panel swapped also around 100k mi. Coca cola and wear probable cause. Easy job.

I don't go to the local dealer unless I have to - their pricing is too steep for simple things.

Cheers,
Nik

sunedog · #2 09-11-2008, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the write up and pic.

I'm still looking for the drain plug on the radiator of my 99 ML 320. If you still have your old one, can you look at it and tell me where the drain is located? I know it is on the passenger side (if it's the same as my ML 320) but is it actually on the bottom or the front near the bottom? I'll send you good karma if you'd post a pic.

nimo · #3 09-11-2008, 01:05 PM

I will take a look at it tonight, but I remember seeing something through the front at the bottom on the passenger side.
- Although my instructions said to remove the lower hose, which worked OK with a bucket below. Never touched the drain.
Cheers,
Nik

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunedog

Thanks for the write up and pic.

I'm still looking for the drain plug on the radiator of my 99 ML 320. If you still have your old one, can you look at it and tell me where the drain is located? I know it is on the passenger side (if it's the same as my ML 320) but is it actually on the bottom or the front near the bottom? I'll send you good karma if you'd post a pic.

nimo · #4 09-11-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimo

I will take a look at it tonight, but I remember seeing something through the front at the bottom on the passenger side.
- Although my instructions said to remove the lower hose, which worked OK with a bucket below. Never touched the drain.
Cheers,
Nik

It is on the left/passenger side.
A flat horizontal tab just above the rubber bushing, which is the lower mount point.
The tab is visible from the front through the "spoiler" openings and should be twisted counter clockwise to open. Comes out as corkscrew. I could not unscrew my old one by hand.
- sorry no photo at this time, but hope this helps.
Cheers.
Nik