CL65 radiator removal
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CL65 radiator removal
I have an end tank leaking on my 05 CL65. I have everything removed from the radiator, but clearance is very tight. Will it come out the rear, or do I have to pull it out the front? I really don't want to pull the front of this car apart, but I'm starting to think that's the only way.
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CL65
I never had to do mine...yet, but I'd think fan removal would allow it to come out closer to the engine. If we are playing pass the potatoe, I'd ask Dr. Matt, he is more hands on than I am. For the most part, I doubt there is much difference in the process for any W215, but so far these are only my guesses.
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I have come to the conclusion that it will not come out the rear without moving the radiator support forward. Or maybe pulling the whole front off first. It's so close, but still so far. Those 4 extra cylinders make it very tight. The air inlets on the radiator hit the radiator support, while the radiator core hits the dipstick tube.
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From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
Removing the W220 radiator is surprisingly difficult because of all the plastic shrouds, and the V12TT is more difficult again because of the IC pump and ABC cooling. Here's how I did it:
Before doing anything, inspect the new radiator and make sure it’s to spec; this is really important.
Now is the time to replace the anti-freeze, the thermostat, the thermostat housing o-ring, the hose connector o-rings, and the hoses and aux drive belt if you feel like it.
Refitting is the reverse of removal, but:
Before doing anything, inspect the new radiator and make sure it’s to spec; this is really important.
- Make sure the outside diameter of the hose receptacle is 41.0 to 41.5 mm.
- Make sure you have threaded receptacles for the fan cowl, IC HE, IC pump, AC HE and AC pipe fittings.
- When you remove the old radiator, some of those fittings may be rusted up – test them first, and figure out what you’re going to do.
- There are rubber & plastic mouldings all around the radiator to control airflow, and they take time to remove & refit.
- Establish whether your header tank fills to the RH header tank, or the bottom hose.
- The new radiator may have a ¾” filler hose receptacle that may need to be blocked off – which can make fitting more difficult.
- Lift the front end of the car onto stands and remove the top and bottom covers.
- Loosen the header tank cap and drain the cooling system. This takes a while.
- Remove the thermostat/top hose housing and disconnect all the hoses (expect spills).
- Disconnect the electric fan.
- Remove the small clips that hold the top of the fan cowl to the radiator flange.
- Remove the two clips that hold the bottom of the fan cowl to the radiator flange.
- Undo the two transmission oil cooler pipes (top one first!), catch a bit of oil, and cover the pipe ends.
- Undo the two nuts at the top corners of the fan cowl.
- Pull the fan assy up an inch, tilt it back and pull it out upwards (pushing the IC pipes out of the way).
- From underneath, undo the IC pump and its bracket from the radiator.
- Still underneath, remove the bolt that holds the aircon pipes bracket to the radiator.
- Unbolt the top L&R of the aircon condenser from the radiator.
- Unbolt the IC heat exchanger from the radiator, and support it.
- Undo the plastic clamps that hold the top of the radiator.
- Push the top of the radiator back and remove the bleed pipe.
- Remove the plastic brackets that are clipped half-way up each side of the radiator.
- Lift the radiator out.
Now is the time to replace the anti-freeze, the thermostat, the thermostat housing o-ring, the hose connector o-rings, and the hoses and aux drive belt if you feel like it.
Refitting is the reverse of removal, but:
- Check that the top hose assy fits both radiator receptacles before fitting the radiator (ask me why).
- Tape sheets of corrugated card to the front and rear faces of the new radiator, otherwise you’ll make a horrible mess during fitting.
- Make sure the aircon condenser is in about the right position before you push the new radiator forwards into position.
- Imperative to make sure all the small hoses and cables are tied away from the moving parts, like the fan, the ancillaries and the aux belt.
- The cooling system bleeds itself, but only when the engine is fully warmed-up, and you need patience.
Last edited by Welwynnick; Jul 2, 2017 at 04:14 AM.
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cl600
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
Thanks guys, appreciate that.
Not everyone thinks the same way, though....
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post7195874
Not everyone thinks the same way, though....
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post7195874
.. all my buddies who one works for MB and owns these cars too and one owns the biggest MB specialist shop in town and the others work there all thought adding washers was a joke.. they referred to it as more Mickey Mouse repairs from the internet lol and usually they are more on the liberal side of playing it safe than sorry so I decided to go this route.. every one of them said the same thing.. it's my life riding on those struts and putting spacers in there could just make the already weak upper mount give more. No idea if that's a possibility, the washers may have been great..
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Thanks, Nick.
I was already at the point of "lift out the radiator".
It's definitely a tight fit. However, now that I know that it does indeed lift out the rear, I'll get it done. I think while it's apart, I'll install new hoses. They are a little soft. Hopefully I can find time to finish it this week, kinda want to drive it.
Thanks again for the help.
I was already at the point of "lift out the radiator".
It's definitely a tight fit. However, now that I know that it does indeed lift out the rear, I'll get it done. I think while it's apart, I'll install new hoses. They are a little soft. Hopefully I can find time to finish it this week, kinda want to drive it.
Thanks again for the help.
Member
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Posts: 139
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W215 CL65
I have an end tank leaking on my 05 CL65. I have everything removed from the radiator, but clearance is very tight. Will it come out the rear, or do I have to pull it out the front? I really don't want to pull the front of this car apart, but I'm starting to think that's the only way.
You do not need to remove entire front end but need to unbolt the top core support frame. There are bolts on either side under fenders and some bracketing. Not that bad to take out and the radiator should be no problem at that point.
I suggest you get a good copy of WIS in order to aid in future projects as well! Really helps a bunch.
Best
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From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 26
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From: Garden State
2003 CL 600, GMC Denali, Vw TDI
Hi
U mite want to replace the water pump at the same time because it's probably going to die soon, and save u a lot of time fighting with it. With the Radator installed .
Not a easy job so any more room is a good thing .
Good luck
U mite want to replace the water pump at the same time because it's probably going to die soon, and save u a lot of time fighting with it. With the Radator installed .
Not a easy job so any more room is a good thing .
Good luck
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: Long Island, N.Y.
2005 CL65 AMG
2005 - CL65 ...Fan not working after radiator replacement
My 2005 CL65 AMG had the check engine light on when the radiator went.... Replaced the radiator and the check engine light was still on. The fan was staying on constantly. I brought the car to a guy with a scanner to reset the check engine light and now my fan doesn't come on at all....To make matters worst, I don't have a fuse diagram so I checked a few fuses under the hood by pulling them out and to see if any were blown and now my ABC (Active Body Control) that raises and lowers the car and the button that puts you into sport or convenience mode doesn't work!!! Is it possible that the guy with the scanner erased my fan data? And as far as me visually checking the fuses , I am wondering if I need to reset something with the ABC? Any help would be appreciated.... (I couldn't find were to post this so I jumped in here to post this...lol...I just signed up a few minutes ago so if this is wrong, please let me know.
