W211 Radiator Hose Connections 06 E350
 

Hi Gang,
After installing my alternator, I found one of the lower radiator hose had pulled from the connection. I probably knocked it loose when I was wiggling it out. There appears to be a "hairpin" type wire connector that pushes into the hose-end but I can't figure out how it stays in place. My shop manual/parts manual has been hijacked by Microsoft and it will not allow me to open either! This car goes from one problem to another! I guess it's typical to compare my previous MB 300D to this newer version but MB really lost me with this model...
Does anyone have a diagram showing how the coolant hoses connect to the rad and engine they can share? Thanks !!!

It's pretty damn simple. Idiot proof, some might say.

https://youtu.be/POwZ5UTyKos

Idiot proof? I would not say that. If the clip came off then make sure you thread it back in on BOTH sides good, through the plastic openings. Access is tight near the radiator hoses and it is possible to thread it in one side only. It happened to me. The hose went in but it was clipped on one side only. The hose seemed secure at the time but came off after a few miles. So double check.

Thanks to both of you! I am viewing the emails (not done yet) and hope they help me visualize how to connect the metal spring clip. I an working with the lower radiator hose where it enters the radiator. It's hard to see what I'm doing.

I also thought I had it attached properly. Then after a short test drive, I pulled into the driveway and as I stopped there was a cloud of steam in front of me!

Thanks again for the help! If it's still not clear I will write again --
Larry

Much easier to insert the clip first then push in the hose you will hear it click on both sides.

w211 hose connectors
 

Thanks! I try it as you suggest! BTW, while browsing YT, I came across a video showing a great detail of these hose connectors!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91knYL1hEeU&t=10s

Evidently they are widely used on German cars ...

Thanks again for the excellent coaching! :o

W211 Radiator Hose Connection
 

Hey Dieselbenz1, I wonder if you can tel me which works best; putting the clip on the end of the hose or the engine hose nozzle where the hose is going? I tried it with the clip on the hose nozzle then tried pushing the rubber hose into it. Never could get it to click (yes, I had the little nub aligned). Tomorrow or Thurs I will try the other option and see if that's easier -- what works for you? BTW, I bought a new Spring Clip and when I started to attempt to install it, I found the one I thought I had lost. There is was on the air cleaner looking at me and mocking! Never fails...
TIA
06 E350

W211 Radiator Hose
 

Ok, I keep learning more & more about these Hose Connections. I now know the clip will only go onto the female side of the connection. I can also see the 2 "Nubs" that are on the male side and fit into matching fittings on the female side.

I can also see I am not getting the hose pushed far enough in so the wire will retain the male part of the hose. I can't understand why it won't seat, but I now know the problem. Please see the photo.

Anyway, I will continue trying to get the hose to seat, then maybe, I will be able to get the Spring Clip to lock it all together. But I suspect this will take me some time.

I do agree it should be dirt simple. Just push the hose in until it seats and lock it with the clip. In reality, it's not as easy as it should be. For me, I'm leaning over the radiator, and there's barely enough room for 1 hand between the radiator & engine, even though 2 are needed. It's also not easy to push the male part upward into the female side, at least it's not for me. But it's a fun way to spend my days ;-) Next I'll try to access the hose from below. If I can squeeze between the hoses and metal parts I might be able to push the hose home.

W211 Radiator Hose Connections
 

Well, I think I finally got it far enough into the female side that the Spring Clip engaged the male side. I was having a hard time pulling up on the hose so that it would fully fit into the upper part. I ended up using a screwdriver shaft to put some force on the flange on the Male side. My next challenge is to refill the coolant. Since it was the lower hose all the coolant came out and the only obvious way to add coolant by using the expansion tank. It seems like that will take quite a while but I'm sure I can find a way to add it. In case anyone's interested, I have included a photo showing the hose connection with the spring clamp in place.
:o

Glad you got it!

I have seen quite a lot of these - best way is to apply some silicone grease on the O ring and make sure the clip is oriented correctly. it can walk sideways and cause it to not catch one side.

My first time with these I was running in circles until I rotated the clip properly so it engaged both nubs - use a dentist mirror to help.

Same with the top radiator hose, its clip can also not lock if it was disturbed. Make sure check if its in the right orientation. The factory sometimes uses a green paint marker to where the clip pulling loop is supposed to face.

Thanks for the great suggestion! I was able to pull the flange upward until it was all the way in. I then slipped the clip over one side then the other. I was hesitant to tug on it to make sure it was seated (did that before and it came out) but I decided it would be better to know know than when driving on the road. I fully warmed it up and thankfully there were no leaks, so I think it's in the right spot. You are right about the orientation of the clip - unfortunately, I paid little attention to it when I removed it. So I had to accidentally find the right place. BTW, it's not enough to have the hose flange "close" to the female side, it must be flat against the female side.
Thanks again for the precise explanation of how the Spring Clip fits into the hose clamp! If I ever have to install one of these hose assemblies again, I will definitely take your Silicone advice.

Much ado about nothing. It is not trivial but it is not rocket science either. Making a mountain out of a mole hill.