Hi guys,

I own a 1994 W124, it's a E280 with an M104 engine. I am new to Mercedes so I am kind of clueless as to how serious this situation is:

Today after coming back from a short drive (10 minutes going, 20 minutes parked, 10 minutes back), and as I was entering the parking, steam started appearing from the front grill. When I stopped and got out to look it was actually spouting both coolant and steam from some valve. Here is the picture of where the coolant and steam came from:





What exactly is it? A pressure valve / backup spout / link ....?

The funny thing is, the engine was at totally normal temperature. at 90 degrees or a hair above. Car has been running on that for months, and I usually look at the gauge and can say that it goes up and down as expected, taking a half a minute or so to edge above 40 degrees when you first start the car and resting between 85 and 95 throughout most drives.

Anyone has any idea what should be plugged in this valve/hole? Is this common? More importantly should I just go and get a replacement "cover" and put it in, marking it off to simply as a failed cover, or was this pressure abnormal and there is a problem with the cooling system I don't know about?

Sam

Sam, I have never seen that configuration on a MB radiator/cooling system. I would purchase a new Behr radiator which won't have that extra fitting & cap. Replace the thermostat when you replace the radiator.

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Fred Hoelzle

You need this:
http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1995-Mercedes--Benz-E320--Sedan-Cooling--System&yearid=1995%40%401995&makeid=63%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&modelid=6392%3ABT|5%3AED|10000022%3AMBC|1508%40%40E320+Sedan&catid=240909%40%40Cooling+System&subcatid=240927@@Radiator+Fitting&mode=PD

It's the fitting to the hose from the radiator to the expansion tank. The short part of it is broken and fell into the radiator; it does not look like you have enough to hold it in place when the car gets hot. Easy, cheap, 1-minute fix.

Don't delay-- you can lose a lot of coolant through that outlet.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

Hey Ferdman, thanks for replying.

It is perhaps the model E280 doesn't run in your country, or because the radiator is a tropical one. I got the car checked out before buying it and I was told there were no modifications to the engine or transmission. I am reluctant however to go into the expense of replacing an entire radiator or to towing the car to the dealer to get it fixed there unless it's absolutely necessary.


Thanks Eric, I am however just a bit confused by something: The part you describe and linked to seems to be right there still next to it in the photograph (check out the second one), the elbow is still attached to the hose going to the expansion tank. Are you sure this radiator has TWO? Because there is only one hose going to the expansion tank from this upper side (smaller hose is connecting them elsewhere at the bottom).


I know what you mean though about losing the coolant, the coolant puddle on the floor underneath the car is like two liters easy.

Is there a chance the radiator top has two outlets, one gets the elbow connector, while the other one has just a plug?

I have the same radiator. The part in your photo, at the end of the hose, is what's left of the L-shaped nozzle that clamps to the expansion tank hose. The other part has broken off and is now sitting somewhere inside your radiator. Just replace the whole thing with the replacement part I linked to above, and you are good to go.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, Gee I feel like an idiot! I actually thought that elbow was actually still fitted properly, and that the hole was an extra spout.

I also know what might have caused it to break, as I have been yanking at that hose multiple times while installing the plastic cover of the right headlight back after several low-beam adjustments.

Thanks a million guys.

One question though: the broken off part seems to be still attached on the inside of the opening. I guess I can push it through to fall inside the radiator, but the question is: There really isn't any problem in that part sitting inside the radiator while it's running for extended periods of time?

Sam

Sam, I feel foolish too. The perspective of your picture made it appear that the black plastic tabs that secure the elbow were metal. Plus, your description made me think you had an extra opening at the upper radiator connection.

Recommend removing the broken off piece of the overflow elbow rather than pushing it inside the radiator.

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Fred Hoelzle

All W124 have the same radiator as pictured. The piece to the left of the circled area is supposed to be IN the circled area. There is only one elbow fitting, not two. You will have to remove the rest of the broken elbow piece from the radiator. As mentioned you can buy a new plastic elbow fitting for $4USD and fix it.

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1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...