Like many of the members here, I am a victim of the dreaded Valeo radiator problem. Despite two visits to my dealership while still under warranty for transmission issues, the dealership never performed a Glycol test even though I have the defective Valeo radiator (a fact I was unaware of at that time) and kept saying they could not find a problem. Now, about 3000 miles out of warranty, my car started driving so bad I brought it is again. This time, they tell me they have found the problem--coolant in the tranny fluid--and I will need a new radiator, torque converter, tranny, transmission control module and fluid flush. Obviously, I was pissed that they conveniently found this problem after I was out of warranty, and made no mention of it prior. Despite repeated contacts to my service manager and MB-USA, they are refusing to cover the expenses related to this known defect. This brings me to the reason for my post.

I am looking for anyone else out there who has had this problem. I am an attorney and I am contemplating a class-action lawsuit on behalf of other owners who have had to pay significant out of pocket expenses to fix this problem. I would appreciate anyone who has had this issue provide me with their name, year of their vehicle, when the problem was diagnosed, and amount of out of pocket expenses via private message (all information will remain confidential). I am particularly interested in any owners who reside in New Jersey.

Feel free to PM me with any further questions.

 

Perhaps this should be considered a preventative maint. item.
My god, what a mess! How much is a radiator? I'd just put a new one in ASAP since I'm at 100K + miles. Geez!


Gee, I just looked it up online, and a radiator costs only $160>
Dang, I'm, doin' it!!!!!!

 

I'm surprised they're treating you this way. What kind of transmission issues are on the previous work tickets? Did you do/say something to **** them off? I believe there is a TSB for this as well if you look through the stickies. I doubt this will get as far as legal action but if it does I don't see how you could lose.

 

What model/year is your car? I'm wondering if this is specific to the year and specific model.

 

I have been nothing but courteous and even-tempered with them, despite the fact that both MB-USA's customer service reps were really rude to me, and in fact were trying to bully me.

The following models are affected:

Model 203.040/061/064/065/081/084/261/264/281/284/740/747/764
Model 209.365/375/376/465/475
Model 211.065/070/076/083/265/283

Up to Production Date 09/2003

 

Just the fact that you complained of transmission problems twice during warranty and it was NTF should be enough to prove your point whether or not it was in the affected years. It's not like you were WAY out of warranty. Let us know what happens please.

 

bump

 

Others have had this problem? How many?

 

<<<<---- eek, i'm in the group! I have lots of issues and not really sure if it is related to the problem. Currently, car is running ok but I have an annoying vibration that comes and goes that can be felt (does not resemble a wheel balance prob). I'm changing the tires to totally rule them out and then also checking brush and sways. A/c comes on a lot too when at 0. It will be awhile till I know if there is a prob.

*subscribed!

 

Anyone have pics of where it should say I have the valeo radiator?

 

on an IS300 or GS350 ???

wrong forum, i think

 

ummmm no, correct forum. C320 4matic. Thanks.

 

updated my sig just 4 u saprissa

 

Radiators come from Valeo and Behr. The Valeo units have problem where coolant gets in the transmission. Glycol is not a preferred transmission fluid, and it wrecks the transmission. If you have a Valeo radiator, have your transmission fluid checked for anti-freeze.

I don't know how to tell the difference, but I'd look for a Valeo trademark, or Made in France on the radiator.

 

just checked out my CL203, and it does have a VALEO radiator.
Transmission was just checked at Service A three weeks ago, and there was no sign of contamination. However, now knowing that I have a VALEO, I will ensure that they perform a transmission fluid check every single time I go in for service, and any other excuse for which I bring my car in for maintenance.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

 

How did you determine it was from Valeo?
Where is it written?

New rad is only like 160 from Duval.

 

In my case, a small Valeo sticker is place on to p of the rad, close to the middle. Hard to see - need a flash light and then peaking through wholes on the plate above the rad. If no luck, the plate above the rad can be removed easily, I am told - 4 bolts.

 

Anyone do their own rad swap yet?
I bought the DVD for W203 but it doesn't have that procedure, dammit!

I've swapped rad's before but never had one with fittings for the tranny before.
I wonder if it's necessary to drain off the tranny fluid before starting?

Is there another word for radiator that I should be searching on that MBZ might use?

Anyone have a functioning copy of WIS that could look this up?
Ha, mine died.

 

Same here.

Definitely need a small flashlight. The "Valeo" sticker is on the top metal horizontal edge, smack in the center.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

 

Well, it's not on top...
car's so damn low, can't get ramps under it.
Supposedly the Behr (Baer?) sticker is on the bottom.

Here's a pic I found also....
the crimp it shows is a sign that it is the dreaded Valeo, and would be on the right side of the rad.
Mine didn't look just like that, and there's hardware in the way, like that big metal braket that goes all the way across.

 

Todd,

You will only need to drain out the bottom line for the tranny cooler. Then undo the top. The tranny will keep most of the fluid in the pan.

Especially with the car jacked up at an angle.
Prior to removing the fittings, remove the steel line brackets/bracing.

Pay close attention to how the collar sits on the fitting. Whe you reinstall insure that the collars are in the same position.

TO get the fittings off, pull the U shaped clip, then yank backwards. You may have to give it a good tug.

E

 

OMG, who's Todd?
Dude you goin' for the Bix's? Damn, I just saw that, and less than 24 hours, and
50+ posts.
I'm soooo tempted...
but I'll need that money for wine tasting. he he....

 

Yeah, I'm going to price things out today, then send out an email with anticipated costs, etc.

E

 

I don't think I have the dreaded Valeo.
I didn't find a sticker that said Valeo, but also did not find a sticker that said Behr. It's hard to tell in the TSB, what angle or side of the rad they're looking at.
If anyone wants a copy of the TSB, send me a pm with your email.

 

There has been some recent talk about this problem, so I figured I would give this thread a bump.