I noticed this hose has finally given up and spilt above the expansion tank- am I right in presuming this is the overflow tank hose? It goes from the neck of the tank then dissappears into a hole in the side of the front wing behind the wheel arch.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

I believe so. Same one failed on me. Not too bad to replace. Not total a no brainer, though.

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David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award

Yeah, it's the overflow hose. Actually, I think it's more of a vent hose, since it doesn't appear to be pressurized, and only vents after the pressure cap starts to open.

You'll have to remove the right front fender liner to access the overflow tank and the other end of the hose. Bunch of screws, takes a little maneuvering around the tire. I can't remember if there were any special tricks or not - it's been a couple years since I replaced mine.

..so I wouldn't go thru the expense of buying a new one. In the rare case that you overheat your engine and your expansion tank overflows, coolant will flow into the overflow tank.

Maybe you can glue it back together?

It's good to know that my expansion tank resembles someone else's (yellow and condensating inside)

Good luck

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-Paul-
'01 E430, Sport 72,000 mi
'98 C280, 126,500 mi