Radiator replacement for 91 300CE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MARINE_V · #1 07-31-2008, 09:50 PM

New to the site.. Just bought a 91 300CE, been driving it for the last 2 months and today when I was driving to work I notices some smoke coming from my hood... I then noticed my temp gage was really hot and my coolant level light was on.. I quickly drove up to my office and parked the car. I then opened the hood to find that the neck on my radiator had snapped off and my hose was disconnected.... I was able to reconnect it because it still had a bit of a lip left on the broken off part to reconnect the hose to and radiator, I refilled my coolant levels and then drove the car... It seems to be working fine, but I did find some oil in my coolant. My question is where can I find a "Do it your self walk through". I have found a place where I have ordered a new radiator.. but I am unsure if there are any special things I should be aware of before I start this project. I will be removing the damaged radiator and installing the replacement unit. I am aware that transmission fluid lines do run to the radiator, but I am unsure if this is a tricky installation or is it a simple replacement. Any help and advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you all .

slk230red · #2 07-31-2008, 11:33 PM

Hi MARINE_V,

Here's my 2 cents worth...If you found oil in your coolant, then you most likely have a bad head gasket. When my head gasket went, it blew out the bypass hose from the water pump to the thermostat housing, and there was oil in the coolant. So that is my theory as to why the connector/hose snapped off.
Before you replace the radiator and any associated hoses, you need to verify if the oil in the coolant is due to a bad head gasket.

I also had to replace my radiator a few years ago due to a weak/cracked neck, but it was unrelated to the head gasket problem.

Good luck,

Dave

MARINE_V · #3 08-01-2008, 03:18 AM

thanks for the info..
I believe the oil is transmission oil not motor oil. Are the 2 metal lines going into the right side of the radiator motor oil lines, transmission lines, or power steering lines? It appears all of the other hoses are fine. It was just the neck that busted off of the radiator.. at any rate I am very much concerned that it could be a head gasket, but the car is running fine and it is not over heating.. I am really hoping this is not a big repair job... did you replace the radiator you self or did you have the deal or mechanic do it?
My dealer wants $500 for a new radiator.. and $250 to install it. I found a Nissens Radiator for $175.63 and Behr (Alternate Brand) for $198.69.
Regardless it needs to be replaced.. I just do not know if I should do it and save my self the money or should I just buy the unit and have the deal replace i?

Ferdman · #4 08-01-2008, 04:39 AM

Marine_V, definitely confirm the condition of the head gasket before even thinking of replacing the radiator. Depending on your DIY skills and available tools the radiator replacement is relatively simple. Recommend ordering a new Behr radiator (with metal-reinforced hose connections) online, replace the hoses if they appear original or are in bad shape. The two metal lines connected to the base of the radiator are transmission fluid lines. Be sure to use MB coolant.

S-Class Guru · #5 08-01-2008, 11:54 AM

MarineV, to expand on some of your questions:
The two lines are for the transmission cooler. There is a little tank inside the radiator that transfers heat from the ATF to the coolant. Indeed, if that tank cracks, ATF will get into the coolant (and coolant will get into the tranny fluid!). Replacing the radiator is really straightforward; just unhook the two lines, very little ATF will run out. the radiator is just pushed down on the rubber grommets, and held in place with two clips on the top, very easy.
The upper hose area is notorious for breaking.
The Behr radiator is the original brand, but the replacement is nowhere as robust as the original. But that is all you can find these days, should be fine.

All that being said, yes you should confirm the condition of the head gasket.
Again, a very common failure on these engines, about 100k miles is typical for gasket failure. Also, check the tranny for water/foam in the fluid. If you think the stuff in the oil is ATF, then you had better be sure no water remains in the tranny fluid.

DG

MARINE_V · #6 08-01-2008, 03:36 PM

thank you all for your helpful input... OK I have decided to replace the radiator my self.... how do I first check if the head gasket is bad ? DO I need to take it the dealer or mechanic to check it? from what I see there is no oil seeping any where around the motor. it looks pretty much clean. How much should I expect to have the head gasket replaced? Maybe I will have then do that first. Then I will replace the radiator after that..

edge · #7 07-16-2009, 10:53 AM

MARINE V, what was the resolution of this matter? Was it tranny oil or motor oil in the overflow? Was it corrected when you changed out the radiator. I spoke to someone who had a 92 300CE who had the same problem and he said it was tranny oil leaking into the overflow.

richard28 · #8 07-17-2009, 05:11 PM

Edge,
Did you purchase the 300ce that you were looking at, the one with the questionable a/c? If so, how is it?

edge · #9 07-17-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard28

Edge,
Did you purchase the 300ce that you were looking at, the one with the questionable a/c? If so, how is it?

I flipped it. Too much to deal with, too many miles 177K, A/c, 2 rear windows not working, Becker stereo cutting in and out on the left speaker, gash in pass seat, clearcoat on sunroof gone, etc. I was going to keep it for my sons back from college to work summer jobs but it was easy to sell. But I love the E coupe, so much room in front with the long door and they ride a little lower, cruises beautifully on the highway, looking for one in better condition.

richard28 · #10 07-17-2009, 09:31 PM

Clever, seems like a wise decision & I imagine you made a few $$ since the asking price seemed reasonable. On my 88 300ce, we had the indy install motor mounts & I replaced the oxygen sensor even though there was no ce light (no pun intended), and it purrs at speed and is quick as can be off a dead stop. Amazing for a car so old. And so comfortable too, as you said.

edge · #11 07-17-2009, 10:02 PM

The craigslist Rhode Island seller lied to me about a few things on the car before I got there. He didn't tell me about the A/c, paint condition on top, rear windows not working and 177K miles. He said it was perfect and looked new with 125K miles, freakin' bastards. I picked it up and drove 150 miles home @75-80mph. I talked him down and only paid $1100 for it and the new buyer had a dead SAAB in their driveway and wanted a beater with some dignity so we both made out. But now I liked the coupe so much after driving it for a couple of days that if I find a decent one, I'll be an owner for longer. The E320 Coupes are nearly impossible to locate for a decent price so I'll probably settle for a 300E Coupe. If I can't get a decent one then maybe a 300TD. The wifey likes wagons.

richard28 · #12 07-17-2009, 10:15 PM

Oh, I saw a c/l seller in riverside or greenwich, ct. selling a 1988 burgundy 300ce w/175k miles, asking $1700 I think, which I thought was the one you were after, so I did not pursue it. Well, on your deal everyone made out ok. They are great cars, but good ones are hard to find.

edge · #13 07-17-2009, 10:20 PM

That's the one I flipped/sold!