Last time I took out Grandma to get her hot, I noticed water drops running under the vehicle when getting back home. Popped the hood and looked in the engine bay and saw some dripping (hair crack) coming from above the exit pipe and only when the engine is running and water system under pressure. Looks like it's time to change the radiator as it's OE with a manufacture tag from January 27th 1999.

Ordered a new rad but later discovered none are in stock in the country. Checked by the parts technician, and none in stock at the Factory either Looks like they have to make a production run to create a small stock, but I guess that's going to take some time. Further checks yesterday seem to have been able to track one in Europe somewhere, but not sure if its available.

Question. Wondering if the old one can be plastic welded or not. Anybody undergone this kind of procedure?

 

I would think the German plastics from this era would not respond well to repairs. All focus on recycling at the time.🧐

 

I have just been talking to a radiator repair specialist who confirms that it is impossible to repair the plastic. So guess I need to wait until MB come up with a solution/replacement or after new parts manufacturing run

 

FCPEURO.COM here in the USA has C43 radiators in stock, both Mahle and Nissen for around $225.00. I know it’s a long way for you but they are guaranteed for life as well...

 

Thanks for the heads up.

Finally I cancelled the order with the MB dealer yesterday as they had still not sourced a replacement. Talked again to the radiator specialist who had confirmed that it was impossible to repair. He's now offering a Nissen replacement for around $300. Should be delivered early next week. So guess I'll be back in business and running soon.

 

Nissens are a good replacement and for the price you can’t beat it! I got one for my c36 the radiator was only $105 Shipped from fcp euro!

 

Installed the new radiator this afternoon after having picked it up yesterday. At the same time I decided to flush and change the brake fluid. It has been two years since last replacement. Pulled out and connected my Motive pressure bleeder. Put in 1lt of fresh DOT5.1 fluid and pumped to the recommended pressure. Popped to the rear right to open and bleed the caliper. Suddenly I hear a loud hissing noise. Quickly moved to the engine bay and discovered the plastic pressure line had burst, spewing brake fluid everywhere in the engine bay, over the wing, screen, everywhere. Got sprayed myself before loosening the pressure. What a sh*t!!!!!!!!! And the vehicle was on axle stands, with wheels removed, so impossible to move rapidly. Impossible to rinse out as the garage doesn't have a drain. I quickly wiped/washed the engine bay and wing with some soapy water. Then quickly put back on the wheels, lift the vehicle off the axle stands and finally get her outside. Using the garden hose I flushed water all over the engine bay and wing taking care not to swamp the fuse boxes, etc. After a drying out period, I take Grandma for a drive to get her up to operating temps so as to check the oil levels and most importantly the transmission. BTW everything was working perfectly with silky smooth gear changes, etc. I noticed that the water temperature never got over 85°c which is something I had never seen before in over 10 years of ownership. So I guess changing the radiator has had a very positive effect to the temp. I should also say that I was running the cooling without the viscous fan, nor shroud, so that's also an eye opener.

Only BIG problem to solve now is when getting back to my garage/workshop, the hood refused to open, so I couldn't check the levels I haven't found a way to open the hood. Any suggestions before I get a metal cutter out?

 

metallic paint did it suffer any damage from brake fluid spraying down the engine bay?
BF is highly corrosive on paint.
What is the plastic pressure line which broke down on you?
Where is it fitted, on the brake fluid container?


Perhaps the wire opening the hood broke off if you can't pull out the latch from the hood?

 

Thankfully can't see any damage in the engine bay caused by the brake fluid. I did thoroughly rinsed the bay with fresh water, taking care not to flood electrical components. The wing did not suffer either, perhaps because of the quick wipe down I did with soapy water and also the ceramic coating protecting the surface.

Vehicle is currently with the local MB dealer who are checking the cable and lock mechanism

 

what is that hose which burst?
where is it fitted?
did it go brittle with age?

 

Hose between the pressure bleeder and brake reservoir cap. Don't know if it was a fault in the line but it ruptured. The plastic hose doesn't look brittle at all. I will be replacing with a braided hose to be on the safe side in the future.

 

Can you post a photo of this hose?
Wasn't sure which one?
On the side, next to the master brake cylinder there's a black plastic tube or something?
Could it be this hose that broke down on you?
Maybe something to keep an eye on?

 

Here goes. This is just the remaining part I kept as I have already junked the remaining hose and clips. It came from the hose which goes from the top of the Motive bleeder to the top of the brake reservoir cap. Halfway along that pipe there was a brass connector onto which was connected a shortish piece of pipe (around 20cm long) which is the specific size for most European caps. Hope that makes sense...



Ruptured plastic pipe. It started as a crack, then I ripped the pipe off

 

A photo is worth a hundred words.....

I found this photo which shows the Motive bleeder and the Euro type cap. It was precisely this pipe which ruptured at the approx area which is highlighted

 

Final episode. New braided hose attached to the Motive pressure bleeder.

I'll do the brake flush next month in August as I want to get "Grandma" on the road and enjoy some driving

Safe journeys peeps



New braided hose attached to the bleeder

 

Great info , I should do a flush to my radiators as well

 

I recommend you change your radiator with a new one. Seems u can find them at reasonable prices in the US. I'm sure you won't regret it with a better overall cooling

 

That’s true did you swap it out yourself or have a specialist or dealer do it

 

I did it myself like most of the current maintenance I follow up with. I did have a very competent mechanic who knew ALL the older MBs inside out. Unfortunately he retired several years ago, sold and past on his shop to others.

It's getting more and more difficult finding good mechanics/technicians who know the older W202 models. My local dealer has one guy who's getting on in age who knows them well, but when he retires, I don't think the younger guys will be really competent on these older vehicles.