Bad News!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 20
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2004 clk500
Bad News!!
Just found out the my 04 clk convertible has the glycol contamination from the radiator! I'm shocked that my indy mechanic didn't noticed it when I've just had my car there 2 weeks ago for a transmission flush since it wasn't done by the previous owner! Is there a recall on the parts or the car??I've just purchased this car at 47,000 miles of July 2012,the car now has 62,000,no warranty! my indy has quoted me at $850.00 for transmission flush the system,new radiator, and a new filter in which, I've bought 2wks ago! should that be replaced??? Can I replace the radiator,myself? Just asking for advice from the experts of the MB world!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 319
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From: SoCal
C350 '12
Just found out the my 04 clk convertible has the glycol contamination from the radiator! I'm shocked that my indy mechanic didn't noticed it when I've just had my car there 2 weeks ago for a transmission flush since it wasn't done by the previous owner! Is there a recall on the parts or the car??I've just purchased this car at 47,000 miles of July 2012,the car now has 62,000,no warranty! my indy has quoted me at $850.00 for transmission flush the system,new radiator, and a new filter in which, I've bought 2wks ago! should that be replaced??? Can I replace the radiator,myself? Just asking for advice from the experts of the MB world!
I did not know those radiators were put on w209 cars, too. I knew they were on the w203.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: New Zealand
I thought it was already fixed by the 2004 model year. It certainly affected some 2002-2003 w203's. Interesting to hear from the experts exactly when it was fixed.
How did you find out? It sounds like the indy didn't do a glycol test at the time? Did you have one done later on? Very few cars had problems with the valeo radiators. Even by forum standards- every single person mentions their failure but no one mentions their car is fine- the numbers seem low.
How did you find out? It sounds like the indy didn't do a glycol test at the time? Did you have one done later on? Very few cars had problems with the valeo radiators. Even by forum standards- every single person mentions their failure but no one mentions their car is fine- the numbers seem low.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
As is typical with MBUSA, there was never an official recall for this. They generally won't do that unless forced to by government authorities due to safety issues. In this case, there was a TSB, but that's just an "FYI" for techs to help solve known problems. Some dealers, when learning about this, were proactive and would go ahead an replace them when customers came in for other warranty work.
$850 sounds a slightly high for the job, but not terrible. The transmissions flush will require a lot of fluid if they do it right - basically around 20 quarts for two complete fills. Unless the indy gets fluid at a good price, it's usually around $12/qt (sometimes you can get Shell ATF-134 for about $6). So with about $200 in oil, another $80 in parts (filter, bolts, gasket, coolant) and about $250 for the radiator, that only leaves $350 for labor - about 5 hours at typical indy rates, and that sounds about right, maybe $100 too high if at all.
As for DIY, it's not a bad job. It would probably take me the better part of a Saturday to do, and I'd still be spending $400-$500 in parts. So, I might be inclined to just let the indy do it. Maybe you should ask them to give you a discount since you did just have the car serviced there and had they caught the problem then, they would have at least saved the parts and labor on that transmission service.
$850 sounds a slightly high for the job, but not terrible. The transmissions flush will require a lot of fluid if they do it right - basically around 20 quarts for two complete fills. Unless the indy gets fluid at a good price, it's usually around $12/qt (sometimes you can get Shell ATF-134 for about $6). So with about $200 in oil, another $80 in parts (filter, bolts, gasket, coolant) and about $250 for the radiator, that only leaves $350 for labor - about 5 hours at typical indy rates, and that sounds about right, maybe $100 too high if at all.
As for DIY, it's not a bad job. It would probably take me the better part of a Saturday to do, and I'd still be spending $400-$500 in parts. So, I might be inclined to just let the indy do it. Maybe you should ask them to give you a discount since you did just have the car serviced there and had they caught the problem then, they would have at least saved the parts and labor on that transmission service.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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2004 clk500
My mechanic showed me the dipstick from the transmission fluid and from the overflow tank and it had little silver bubbles on the dipstick and said it was contaminated and it needed to be flushed! I've just flushed the transmission 2 wks ago and replaced the the filter and I'm wondering why he didn't noticed it when he replaced it?? Glyn or Rudeney is this a recalled part still in effect??? need help! plus, I was warned from the mechanic, not to drive the car since this is my daily driver or it can get worse!!! is this true??? Need your input!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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2004 clk500
Sorry about posting my reply after the fact!But he did give me a discount of $118.00 off the labor since I've been bringing this car to them instead of the stealership! I'm going to ask him about using the Shell ATF instead of the MB! I am getting a new radiator but not a new expansion tank since it was replaced after bought the car, I've cracked the tube leading to the radiator while trying to clean the maf sensor!the former owner did not do the necessary maintenance as scheduled,I've checked the dealership from where it was purchased at! Plus,I have to replaced the front rims since they were repaired from a previous accident from a curb since I see the bottom of the front bumper is scraped so bad,that I can see the yellow color! And I have to replaced a cylinder next to the hydraulic pump from the cabriolet roof since its was leaking (driver side)after I was trying to clean the back window! Sorry for griping!
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