New member introduction ('92 190E 2.6)
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Newbie
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'92 190E 2.6 Sportline
New member introduction ('92 190E 2.6)
Hello, I created my account on here some years ago in hopes of someday acquiring either a W201 or W124 and just recently I finally purchased my first Mercedes: a 1992 190E 2.6
I've been learning as much as I can about the car in the short few weeks I've owned it and am currently trying to find the source of a coolant leak in the very front of the car. It does not appear to be any of the radiator hose connections so I am kind of stumped.
Sometimes the car only drips a few drops and sometimes it's more.
I took the engine shield off but still no obvious source...
Any thoughts?
I've been learning as much as I can about the car in the short few weeks I've owned it and am currently trying to find the source of a coolant leak in the very front of the car. It does not appear to be any of the radiator hose connections so I am kind of stumped.
Sometimes the car only drips a few drops and sometimes it's more.
I took the engine shield off but still no obvious source...
Any thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 394
1991 190E 2.3
Welcome. How many miles are on your car? Are there any cracks in any of the hoses? It's probably a good idea to go to your local parts store and buy some dye to put in the cooling system to help you better determine where the leak might be. I also noticed that the coolant that's leaking out of your car is yellow and not the green MB coolant. Non MB coolant can damage the plastic interior of the radiator. When changing coolant in an MB, you always want to use the green MB coolant.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2014
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'92 190E 2.6 Sportline
Welcome. How many miles are on your car? Are there any cracks in any of the hoses? It's probably a good idea to go to your local parts store and buy some dye to put in the cooling system to help you better determine where the leak might be. I also noticed that the coolant that's leaking out of your car is yellow and not the green MB coolant. Non MB coolant can damage the plastic interior of the radiator. When changing coolant in an MB, you always want to use the green MB coolant.
I think the PO simply started adding blue when the yellow was no longer available and that's how my car got to the green color it has now.
I've referenced this thread:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/ty...olant.1481792/
Separately, I found this tech article at Pelican Parts that mentions the tank crimp joint as a common failure mode so I may be in for a radiator replacement.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm
Does anyone have experience with the Nissens radiators on MB cars?
Last edited by Adalbert; Sep 14, 2025 at 07:13 PM. Reason: Added additional information
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 394
1991 190E 2.3
Thanks. The car has 115k miles. Hoses look very good, no cracks. The coolant is green (maybe the lighting makes it look more yellow), but I want to change it out since I believe the original coolant was yellow (G05) when these cars were new and now MB only sells the blue (G48) coolant.
I think the PO simply started adding blue when the yellow was no longer available and that's how my car got to the green color it has now.
I've referenced this thread:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/ty...olant.1481792/
Separately, I found this tech article at Pelican Parts that mentions the tank crimp joint as a common failure mode so I may be in for a radiator replacement.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm
Does anyone have experience with the Nissens radiators on MB cars?
I think the PO simply started adding blue when the yellow was no longer available and that's how my car got to the green color it has now.
I've referenced this thread:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/ty...olant.1481792/
Separately, I found this tech article at Pelican Parts that mentions the tank crimp joint as a common failure mode so I may be in for a radiator replacement.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm
Does anyone have experience with the Nissens radiators on MB cars?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6
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'92 190E 2.6 Sportline
Thanks, Isawelvis I am in MI. Here's a pic of the car at a rest area during the 600+ mile road trip home a few weeks ago.
Regarding the coolant leak: I found clear evidence of it on the passenger side on the bottom of the radiator. This leak is above a hose connection but I am doubtful that is the source. Nonetheless, I'll get under the car this weekend and try to tighten up the hose clamp to see if that makes any difference.
I also ordered a leak detection pressure cap from mercedessource and will try that out too.
Regarding the coolant leak: I found clear evidence of it on the passenger side on the bottom of the radiator. This leak is above a hose connection but I am doubtful that is the source. Nonetheless, I'll get under the car this weekend and try to tighten up the hose clamp to see if that makes any difference.
I also ordered a leak detection pressure cap from mercedessource and will try that out too.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 889
Likes: 148
From: Southern Illinois
, 2023 BMW X4, 1991 190E
does your car have 15 or 16 inch wheels Also neat Scirrocco (?) pics Thought it might be a Supercharged 4 cylinder one, but saw the V6. Alway liked them
Just found this. Thought you might be interested
It answers the question on wheel size 15 inch
Just found this. Thought you might be interested
It answers the question on wheel size 15 inch
Last edited by Isawelvis; Sep 16, 2025 at 09:26 PM. Reason: new info
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 195
From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Welcome to the forum (again with a W201 this time). Nice to have found a sportline with that low mileage. Your color combo is a very nice one indeed.
Hopefully you have found the source of the leak. Mine had all original rubber hoses at 180K miles but I replaced them all since they were 28 years old at the time.
The most common leak is at the water pump weep hole but yours is at the passenger side so must be something else. If not a clamp connection, it could be the o-ring at the water pump side metal bracket. It could leak down to more on the passenger side of the engine from there.
Most sportlines came with the rear seat headrests. Surprised yours did not. I saved a set of your color from a JY find many years ago which are in pretty good shape. If you ever decide to upgrade that for a better look and also safety for rear passengers do let me know.
- Cheers!
Hopefully you have found the source of the leak. Mine had all original rubber hoses at 180K miles but I replaced them all since they were 28 years old at the time.
The most common leak is at the water pump weep hole but yours is at the passenger side so must be something else. If not a clamp connection, it could be the o-ring at the water pump side metal bracket. It could leak down to more on the passenger side of the engine from there.
Most sportlines came with the rear seat headrests. Surprised yours did not. I saved a set of your color from a JY find many years ago which are in pretty good shape. If you ever decide to upgrade that for a better look and also safety for rear passengers do let me know.
- Cheers!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6
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'92 190E 2.6 Sportline
@Isawelvis
Thanks for the video. I grew up watching MotorWeek so it was nice to have John Davis tell me about my car
@smgak
It's in really good condition for its age. It was a CA car all its life up to 2022. Of course it has some small issues like any car this age but I hope to get through them and preserve this car for as long as possible. Like all my German cars, it will live in my garage on a battery tender for 6 months out of the year since the MI winters are not something I am willing to subject my cars to.
@dolucasi
Thanks for the helpful hints. I looked more yesterday but could not find the source. I cleaned up all the coolant in the engine bay and then let the car idle to come up to temperature but no leaks showed up. Checking it this morning, I see that no leaks formed overnight either. I willing to bet it will return sooner or later.
RE: headrests
I believe the they were an option in '92 but were standard for '93.
This pic better shows off the green color:
Thanks for the video. I grew up watching MotorWeek so it was nice to have John Davis tell me about my car
@smgak
It's in really good condition for its age. It was a CA car all its life up to 2022. Of course it has some small issues like any car this age but I hope to get through them and preserve this car for as long as possible. Like all my German cars, it will live in my garage on a battery tender for 6 months out of the year since the MI winters are not something I am willing to subject my cars to.
@dolucasi
Thanks for the helpful hints. I looked more yesterday but could not find the source. I cleaned up all the coolant in the engine bay and then let the car idle to come up to temperature but no leaks showed up. Checking it this morning, I see that no leaks formed overnight either. I willing to bet it will return sooner or later.
RE: headrests
I believe the they were an option in '92 but were standard for '93.
This pic better shows off the green color:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 394
1991 190E 2.3
does your car have 15 or 16 inch wheels Also neat Scirrocco (?) pics Thought it might be a Supercharged 4 cylinder one, but saw the V6. Alway liked them
Just found this. Thought you might be interested
It answers the question on wheel size 15 inch
https://youtu.be/zGvZCB2B1UY
Just found this. Thought you might be interested
It answers the question on wheel size 15 inch
https://youtu.be/zGvZCB2B1UY
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 394
1991 190E 2.3
@Isawelvis
Thanks for the video. I grew up watching MotorWeek so it was nice to have John Davis tell me about my car
@smgak
It's in really good condition for its age. It was a CA car all its life up to 2022. Of course it has some small issues like any car this age but I hope to get through them and preserve this car for as long as possible. Like all my German cars, it will live in my garage on a battery tender for 6 months out of the year since the MI winters are not something I am willing to subject my cars to.
@dolucasi
Thanks for the helpful hints. I looked more yesterday but could not find the source. I cleaned up all the coolant in the engine bay and then let the car idle to come up to temperature but no leaks showed up. Checking it this morning, I see that no leaks formed overnight either. I willing to bet it will return sooner or later.
RE: headrests
I believe the they were an option in '92 but were standard for '93.
This pic better shows off the green color:
Thanks for the video. I grew up watching MotorWeek so it was nice to have John Davis tell me about my car
@smgak
It's in really good condition for its age. It was a CA car all its life up to 2022. Of course it has some small issues like any car this age but I hope to get through them and preserve this car for as long as possible. Like all my German cars, it will live in my garage on a battery tender for 6 months out of the year since the MI winters are not something I am willing to subject my cars to.
@dolucasi
Thanks for the helpful hints. I looked more yesterday but could not find the source. I cleaned up all the coolant in the engine bay and then let the car idle to come up to temperature but no leaks showed up. Checking it this morning, I see that no leaks formed overnight either. I willing to bet it will return sooner or later.
RE: headrests
I believe the they were an option in '92 but were standard for '93.
This pic better shows off the green color:
