Valeo Radiator Problems on C-Class W203/CL203/S203
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From: Pasadena, CA
2002 C230K, 2013 BMW 328, 2015 BMW X5
I beaming with pride here. Excellent! Job well done!
So, how many miles did you drive it with the contamination?
The Tranny is someting that intimidates me to no end. I mean, I can end up being really upside down trying to get that lug out if we had problems. Nice to know they can be addressed with a simple remedy.
Mind telling us a P/N for the replacement radiator? How did you deal with the tranny cooling lines that are also in the valeo radiator?
Ed
So, how many miles did you drive it with the contamination?
The Tranny is someting that intimidates me to no end. I mean, I can end up being really upside down trying to get that lug out if we had problems. Nice to know they can be addressed with a simple remedy.
Mind telling us a P/N for the replacement radiator? How did you deal with the tranny cooling lines that are also in the valeo radiator?
Ed
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From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
Please tell me you took some pics of the Valeo radiator to post here? Detailed ones, like the end tank seams, tranny hose connections, etc. Pretty please????? Maybe some way to identify while the radiator is still in the car?
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: St. Louis, MO
02' C240 Luxury Model
As far as the length of miles it drove contaminated..I'd say at least 3k that I can think back on, but I'm sure it was contaminated before the symptoms occured, it just wasn't enough to cause a failure of any kind yet. So it could have been 5k miles or more since the leak is so small.
As for the Performance Radiator part #. It is as follows:
Part # 2767
Core Dimensions: 25 1/2 x 16 x 1
Thickness: 1
Rows: 1
Tank Construction: PLASTIC
Core Construction: ALUMINUM
Inlet Diameter: 1 3/8
Outlet Diameter: 1 3/8
TOC: Concentric
TOC Length: 12
EOC: NA
EOC Length: NA
It can be purchased online here:
usaradiator.com
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From: Barcelona-Spain
Brabus K3
Hello,
I have tried to look for the valeo or the behr sticker but have not foung them.
I attach some pictures; I have tried to compare them with the ones of TSB but are very different from the old style and also from the new style.
Do I have a valeo?
Thanks.
Bottom:
Up:
Bottom Ref Number:
I have tried to look for the valeo or the behr sticker but have not foung them.
I attach some pictures; I have tried to compare them with the ones of TSB but are very different from the old style and also from the new style.
Do I have a valeo?
Thanks.
Bottom:
Up:
Bottom Ref Number:
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
I wasn't sure if I had a "bad" Valeo, so I just paid for them to flush the tranny and also analyze the fluid, the dealer has a glycol-testing kit. Cost about $300 in total (not covered by Extended Warranty), but the result came back negative. Not bad for peace of mind (and less than the price of switching out the rad 
)
Not all Valeos are bad. Just certain batches. That's the stupid thing about this problem. The only way to tell is to have it analyzed. Pay the $ and find out once and for all.
)Not all Valeos are bad. Just certain batches. That's the stupid thing about this problem. The only way to tell is to have it analyzed. Pay the $ and find out once and for all.
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From: michigan/ohio/indiana
2013 c300 4matic, 2002 c240
side note: I gave my care to the dealer to fix the problem again. Looking through the service notes, the dealer that replaced the transmission did not replace the radiator causing the problem with shifting. Another dealer (2nd) noted that and finally replaced the radiator. But the damage was already done to the replaced transmission and now the 3rd dealer is taking apart the tranny. I won't know what will happen until next week since this is a big service job. I did talk with mbusa-extended warranty and they told me that it will be covered like before if it is the tranny again. I guess I won't know for sure till I get a bill.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
not all Valeos are bad.
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Anyone know, is there a way to tell what brand radiator you have, WITHOUT taking apart your grille/bumper?
One more thing for the record, I asked the Parts guy about brand-new rads and even now they still sell BOTH Behr and Valeo for the W203, with the same part number. And my SA said this problem is actually quite rare, with only 5-6 cars at my dealership requiring tranny or rad replacement. (everyone knows how many MBs there are in Vancouver).
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
So you've been lucky but why keep pushing your luck? If you had a tire that was in a build range that was suspect would you wait until it popped before replacing it?
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
The problem manifests itself in the form of a slow leak, so even if there's no damage yet, imho anyone with a bad radiator woudl have SOME glycol in the system. The fact they found NONE in mine gives me sufficient peace of mind. Some people would rather shell out to get it switched out, nothing wrong with that. Some people don't even bother checking, hey it's their choice. All good.
Anyone know if the wavy crimping is the sure-fire way to tell if your rad is bad, or is it only SOME of the wavy ones? I haven't physically looked at my rad yet.
Last edited by slammer111; May 16, 2008 at 03:02 PM.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
No again. The problem manifests itself with an improperly shifting transmission. You don't know it's happened until the transmission fluid is contaminated with glycol. It doesn't take much. Unless you routinely get a glycol test then...oh never mind. Do what you want.
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From: Barcelona-Spain
Brabus K3
Thanks, C230, but even that post is somewhat confusing. Bob posts a pic of the Behr (good) radiator, talks about looking at how the tranny fluid connectors are attached to the radiator, and then comments that the TSB notes the problem is really due to how the end tanks are attached as that's what the (crappy) pics in the TSB show. The Behr radiator pictured in Bob's post shows the same type of crimped on end tank shown as the 'old' (i.e. problem) method in the TSB used on the Valeo ... ?
My radiator doesn't have a tag on it, so I'm looking for some other identifying feature. Does the Valeo radiator have different connections for attaching the tranny fluid hoses?
Here's a pic of my radiator on the passenger side, from the inside of the engine compartment. Maybe someone can identify it? Notice the crimp on the end tank isn't the 'fingers' (or maybe I can't see the crimp in this view??).
My radiator doesn't have a tag on it, so I'm looking for some other identifying feature. Does the Valeo radiator have different connections for attaching the tranny fluid hoses?
Here's a pic of my radiator on the passenger side, from the inside of the engine compartment. Maybe someone can identify it? Notice the crimp on the end tank isn't the 'fingers' (or maybe I can't see the crimp in this view??).
You have the same as me; I think is a behr, but did not found the label.
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From: michigan/ohio/indiana
2013 c300 4matic, 2002 c240
Yay! Got my car back. New tranny! Actually fixed this time. It is going to be so sad if something happens after my extended warranty ends in Jan09...
edit: if someone wants pic of paper work, I'll get it done this time, so let me know.
edit: if someone wants pic of paper work, I'll get it done this time, so let me know.
Last edited by pookie; Jun 1, 2008 at 08:10 AM.
Member
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From: St. Louis, MO
02' C240 Luxury Model
Replaced the radiator myself with after market unit..no problems since. Never went to the dealer..did a complete flush of the transmission (ran through the machine about 5 times). It's cake.
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From: Redding, California
AMG GTS
Sorry to bring back a old, beaten to death thread but I am confused on one thing. Does warranty cover this? For example, say I called in to my local dealership and told them I have been experiencing harsh acceleration/engagement and that I think the problem is <TSB Number>. I bring it in and have them do some tests or whatever not, if they find that do have the defective radiator. Does warranty cover the transmission fluid flush and radiator change? Or does Mercedes find someway to sneak their way out of this?
(I'm still under extended warranty)
(I'm still under extended warranty)
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Newbie
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2003 c230
Apparently, if your vehicle was under warranty, Mercedes recommends the service which you had. However, my dealer told me that since mine is not under warranty that is recommended to do substantially more (and more costly) work done. The saddest part is Mercedes apparently knew in 2005 that the Valeo radiator with the old cramping style WOULD fail. With failure comes revenue from required and very costly repairs - repairs which could have been minimized with a $200 replacement radiator. I hope someone will hold Mercedes feet to the fire on this one.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
You are replying to a post that is 2.5 years old. Don't worry - I did the same thing when I was new on the forum 
