Replace Radiator - DIY - Easy?
07-20-2006, 05:09 PM
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Flint Gray E63
Replace Radiator - DIY - Easy?
I want to replace the radiator in my '03 C32 just to eliminate any possibility of the glycol problem happening in the future. Anybody replaced the radiator himself? How difficult is it? Thanks!
07-20-2006, 11:43 PM
#3
Somewhere there is a thread about this very thing and a further discussion going into perhaps replacing it with a higher performing unit...use the search - I did, but my first guesses where wrong.
07-21-2006, 02:54 AM
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04 CLK55, IWC CLS55 AMG(one of 55), 07 Honda CR-V 4WD
I just inquired about making a custom high performance radiator.
I think as long as I measure the size of the Original, there should be no problem. Let's see what they say.
I think as long as I measure the size of the Original, there should be no problem. Let's see what they say.
07-21-2006, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by JLee81
I just inquired about making a custom high performance radiator.
I think as long as I measure the size of the Original, there should be no problem. Let's see what they say.
I think as long as I measure the size of the Original, there should be no problem. Let's see what they say.
07-21-2006, 02:08 PM
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C32 AMG
Originally Posted by Zeppelin
What's wrong with the stock one? I have run this car in 110 degree heat at full throttle around a road course for hours on end. Overheating is nothing to worry about.
07-21-2006, 04:56 PM
#7
Yah, but it's just the thought that if you're going to replace something on this car, it might be worth checking out to replace it with a higher performance part. For instance, I'm going to replace my intercooler soon so I'm looking into upgrading the entire intercooler system (besides the intercooler itself of course, just new pump, some hoses and air-exchanger) - I'm sure a stock intercooler would still do the trick.
Originally Posted by Fifth Ring
The reason to change is that the Valeo brand OEM radiator has a habit of leaking coolant into the transmission cooler lines, contaminating the transmission fluid. The fact that it works fine suggests that the smartest replacement is the OEM radiator that was NOT from Valeo.
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07-21-2006, 05:30 PM
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I replaced mine recently. I did it without removing the front bumper, but to be honest, it would be easier if you did. The air con condensor is clipped into the rad, as is a smaller radiator in the very front which is clipped into the bottom of the main rad. Other than these bits, the job is fairly easy. The hoses are on 'quick fit' connectors which are simple to remove/refit. The only other advice I can give is to carefully top up the trans fluid afterwards as you will lose approx 250ml. I did not put enough in initially, and it provoked an ESP fault, which said 'transmission slipping - input/output speeds implausible' when scanner was connected. Topping up the fluid to level resolved fault. (you will need to buy the dipstick to check the level as the car does not come with one)
Hope this helps!!
Hope this helps!!
07-21-2006, 05:32 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by Fifth Ring
The reason to change is that the Valeo brand OEM radiator has a habit of leaking coolant into the transmission cooler lines, contaminating the transmission fluid. The fact that it works fine suggests that the smartest replacement is the OEM radiator that was NOT from Valeo.
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07-21-2006, 05:36 PM
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Here in the UK the replacement part is still a Valeo unit, but the part changed in 09/2003. Mine had a date code of 07/2003, so I replaced it as a precaution. I was reassured by a friend at my local dealer that replacement was a wise idea, and that the later Valeo part was revised to resolve the coolant/trans fluid intermixing fault.
07-24-2006, 12:12 AM
#11
Originally Posted by gaz
I replaced mine recently. I did it without removing the front bumper, but to be honest, it would be easier if you did. The air con condensor is clipped into the rad, as is a smaller radiator in the very front which is clipped into the bottom of the main rad. Other than these bits, the job is fairly easy. The hoses are on 'quick fit' connectors which are simple to remove/refit. The only other advice I can give is to carefully top up the trans fluid afterwards as you will lose approx 250ml. I did not put enough in initially, and it provoked an ESP fault, which said 'transmission slipping - input/output speeds implausible' when scanner was connected. Topping up the fluid to level resolved fault. (you will need to buy the dipstick to check the level as the car does not come with one)
Hope this helps!!
Hope this helps!!
07-24-2006, 02:55 PM
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Get the dipstick from your dealer part no.140 589 15 21/00 and you need some replacement clips for the dipstick plug, part no.140 991 00 55. The filler/dipstick tube is at the back on RH side of engine bay. You may find it easier to get to if you remove the RH air filter and rubber elbow. Twist off the red tag on the top and push the remainder through, and then you can remove the plug. Check the level with the engine running in neutral.
07-24-2006, 04:55 PM
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Silver 2002 C32, Silver 2006 CLK 350
Originally Posted by gaz
Get the dipstick from your dealer part no.140 589 15 21/00 and you need some replacement clips for the dipstick plug, part no.140 991 00 55. The filler/dipstick tube is at the back on RH side of engine bay. You may find it easier to get to if you remove the RH air filter and rubber elbow. Twist off the red tag on the top and push the remainder through, and then you can remove the plug. Check the level with the engine running in neutral.
very good info
07-27-2006, 02:17 AM
#14
Originally Posted by gaz
Get the dipstick from your dealer part no.140 589 15 21/00 and you need some replacement clips for the dipstick plug, part no.140 991 00 55. The filler/dipstick tube is at the back on RH side of engine bay. You may find it easier to get to if you remove the RH air filter and rubber elbow. Twist off the red tag on the top and push the remainder through, and then you can remove the plug. Check the level with the engine running in neutral.
07-27-2006, 10:33 AM
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Silver 2002 C32, Silver 2006 CLK 350
Originally Posted by deutscheramg
tahtah trekman has the info!
08-24-2017, 04:24 PM
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W203 c32 amg
C32 radiator replacement help
Hey all. Damaged my radiator on my c32 and needs a replacement. Just wondering if all w203 radiators are compatible or is the c32 one different? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks
08-25-2017, 03:40 PM
#19
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if you go on pelicanparts and just search your car (year-trim) and click around till you find the radiator, you should be able to see the part number. Just copy paste that on eBay, amazon, google etc and compare prices. Good luck
