I would recommend that those that have an M271 engine replace the rad overflow connector. This plastic part is situated on the right side of the engine and receives quite a bit of heat from the exhaust manifold and over time becomes brittle and eventually breaks leaving you stranded as coolant is sprayed all over the place under pressure (which happened to me over the weekend, far from home on a Sunday) My car is 7 years old with 100,000km

The Fix
Replace the connector with a new one about a 5 minute job that even the most non handy person can do. Part number 003-997-06-89 (In Canada the price is $7.60, probably in the US it is $3)
1. release the hose clamp on the rubber hose with a set of pliers
2. lift up the wire fastener
3. pull out the connector
4. push in the new connector
5. push down the wire fastener (making sure both it and the plastic part are seated)
6. re-attach the rubber hose and affix the hose clamp

Pictures show the location of the connector, a broken connector and a new one

 

How many miles on your car? Just curious how long it lasts...

 

really dude? hopefully you just didn't read it... 100,000km/2.2(km per mile) = ~62k miles

Thanks for the DIY "eh" I was just looking for another new way for this forum to pay huge dividends!

 

Good tip - that darn thing breaks frequently.

 

actually it is 1.61 km/mile

the 2.2 number comes in to play when converting kilos to pounds

 

thanks for the tip! i'll pick one up and keep it in the car to be safe.

btw... i was driving my m271 the other day and noticed a loud sound resonating which seemed to be triggered when I hit a particular RPM.

i opened my hood and noticed this tube popped off, so i plugged it back in and the problem went away.

my question is, what is this tube for (please see red circle - i hope you don't mind that i borrowed your picture)? and should i take any precautions to prevent it from happening again? i plan to ziptie it because now it doesnt seem that its fastened that securely.

thanks!

 

here is the attachment

 

Rather than keep one in the car, I would just replace it as cheap insurance and maybe buy a spare to keep in the car.

the last thing you want to do is try fitting one on the side of the highway with a hot engine losing coolant

 

why not... i'm replacing my spark plugs this week, so i'll just throw it into the mix. thanks again for the heads up.

 

Looks like I might be making a heat sheild...uh...

 

That is part of the air injection system

 

Mileage wasn't there when I posted. Check out my post time and the edit time, newbie. And it looks like you were schooled under that 'new math' system, eh? 100,000km is 62k Miles, but 100,000/2.2=~45k.

 

thanks!

btw.. i was just quoted $17 for this by the stealership... what a shame

 

Thank God my teachers did not require me to show my work! Apparently you have found yet another way my iPhone is smarter than me. I do work in heavy lift construction so there in lies my error . ~62k miles is the end figure your looking for though . This is usually the end result when I attempt to be sarcastically brilliant (an ***, in lay-mans terms)

 

I have read on this forum that a person had this failure and two on another forum, a buddy of mine had this failure last week.

The common denominator is that all the cars have been on the road for over seven years and this seems to be the breaking point. It is only time that all M271 will need this replaced. Better sooner than later, last thing you want is have this item spraying out coolant at the side of the highway

I can stress how important that this $8 repair is mandatory and MUST be done on your next oil change


If you don't want to do the repair, let me suggest that you carry 2 plastic golf tees as they work handily to plug the holes when they break. Worked for me and got me home

 

Ya this part broke on me about two years ago in SC going to the Myrtle beach. Cost me the whole night and a missed trip. Local cops with help from one of their friends fix my C230 with hose off of his 80's ford F250.Plus everyone had bottled water in there cars that we used. Once the temp hose was back on I followed them to their main station to feel up with water. Got water there then went to an Walmart right out side of Wilmington nc for some coolant. Made all the way back to Durham NC on the fix. Took to the dealer the next day an got hit with an $150 charge. Man it is an bad feeling to be on the side of the highway at about 3 in the morning! These guys in SC were the best.

 

Just did this on my car at lunch, took about 8 minutes.
$9 at the MB parts counter, he only had 1 in stock.

 

When performing this task, does coolant leak out?

Thanks,
Leif

 

When I first broke the part some coolant sprayed out (~250ml) but it was hot and under pressure; after driving with 2 golf tees to plug the leak and getting the part a few days later, nothing came out when I took it apart and replaced with a new one.

Hard to believe that the dealer charged @springdriver1 $150 to replace it and the coolant.

Like I said, do it now don't wait to be stranded on the highway in a middle of nowhere

 

^^ wasn't me they got $150... well not today anyway... lol

LeifW: Did mine with a slightly warm engine, about 2oz leaked out. Enough to sop up with a paper towel.

 

Thanks for the tip! Will go about changing it later today then.. I'm on 57k km..

 

My tip was for those that have the M271 engine, you are not affected as you have an M112 mill

 

BoomVang, is the newer part updated from the older one, or is this going to fail again in 7-8 years?

 

the new part is the same as the old so update again in 5 years

 

I changed it as well. Too simple and cheap to not do it.

While taking it out, one end broke. So I am really glad I ordered it.

56k miles.