URGENT: Need help today! Coolant hose connector broke!
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 250
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From: Charleston, SC
2005 C230K
URGENT: Need help today! Coolant hose connector broke!
Hate to make a new thread for this, but I really need some advice ASAP. The plastic connector piece for the coolant hose snapped on me this morning while changing the spark plugs, as illustrated here.
Can I drive around with the hose stopped up and disconnected while I wait for the new part or does this need to be reconnected immediately somehow? And if I plug it up, would I also need to stop up the other end (plastic tube on the engine block that it connects to)? Or would I be better off trying to construct a makeshift connector (I did) and connect the hose and let it leak/drip slowly for a few days? If I go to the dealer will they have it on hand or will I have to wait on it?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
- John W
Can I drive around with the hose stopped up and disconnected while I wait for the new part or does this need to be reconnected immediately somehow? And if I plug it up, would I also need to stop up the other end (plastic tube on the engine block that it connects to)? Or would I be better off trying to construct a makeshift connector (I did) and connect the hose and let it leak/drip slowly for a few days? If I go to the dealer will they have it on hand or will I have to wait on it?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
- John W
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
If you are only driving short trips, I think you can just plug the connection temporarily and just keep an eye on the temp gauge.
Ideally, you should wait until the part arrives, fix the car, and then drive.
Ideally, you should wait until the part arrives, fix the car, and then drive.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
Nah.. I won't recommend it.
One thing I know about this car is it gets hot. Messing around and taking chances with the only component to keep the engine cool is a hugh risk. To me, my expereince or take, the cooling system on this car is on a balancing act, which is pretty much at the limit. Any mess up with the cooling system will cause it to overheat easily and seems to cause lasting effects on other components.
Not worth the trouble. Wait for the part and get it fix. Then go back to normal life.
One thing I know about this car is it gets hot. Messing around and taking chances with the only component to keep the engine cool is a hugh risk. To me, my expereince or take, the cooling system on this car is on a balancing act, which is pretty much at the limit. Any mess up with the cooling system will cause it to overheat easily and seems to cause lasting effects on other components.
Not worth the trouble. Wait for the part and get it fix. Then go back to normal life.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Those damn plastic connectors above the exhaust. It's not easy to plug both sides. That is not part of the main circulation fortunately. I think it bleeds back to the surge tank at 143???
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 1, 2011 at 09:09 PM.
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From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
As I mentioned back in the spring that this is a much needed and urgent repair that all M271 engines need, cheap and preventative maintenance. The plastic only lasts about 6-7years and becomes really brittle, accelerated by the fact that it is above the exhaust manifold. Sometimes German engineering is awesome and other times it is a complete fail...this part and location is the latter
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ance-item.html
I used a plastic golf tee to plug it up while waiting for the part and drove about a week or so with it in and no issues. One tee clamped in the rubber hose and the other tee hammered in to the broken connector ( I took out the plastic part, drilled a hole so that the tee would fit snuggly and re-attached it. As I mentioned in my thread I was quite far from my home (140Km) and had no issues and continued to drive in the city for the 4 days after while waiting for the part
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ance-item.html
I used a plastic golf tee to plug it up while waiting for the part and drove about a week or so with it in and no issues. One tee clamped in the rubber hose and the other tee hammered in to the broken connector ( I took out the plastic part, drilled a hole so that the tee would fit snuggly and re-attached it. As I mentioned in my thread I was quite far from my home (140Km) and had no issues and continued to drive in the city for the 4 days after while waiting for the part
Last edited by Boom vang; Oct 2, 2011 at 10:31 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 250
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From: Charleston, SC
2005 C230K
I reconnected it using a heavy plastic straw as a middle piece and used some silicone to get a pretty tight connection. It slowly leaks by dripping from the spot. Should I leave it like this and let it leak onto the exhaust piece (makes white smoke) while I drive for a few days or simply disconnect it and plug both ends like you did?
Thanks
Thanks
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: New Joisey
13 Jeep JKU Sahara w/4" lift Kit & the works,2015 Toyota Sienna XLE,2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
do what boomvang did.......the white smoke will be sucked into the cabin via the HVAC and it is not good for the people inside the car....
Javvy...
Javvy...
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 250
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From: Charleston, SC
2005 C230K
Thanks so much for the advice everyone. I thought I had a pretty good connection but I made a few test trips and it was simply leaking too fast. Planning to plug both ends this afternoon.
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