DIY Radiator replacement W208 CLK55 - difficult
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 12
From: Chicago, IL.
2006 E55 AMG, 2019 BMW M240I xdrive coupe, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang
DIY Radiator replacement W208 CLK55 - difficult
Greetings,
I've been getting coolant low warnings for a month and have added coolant 3x. I replaced the reservoir cap just in case but she still leaks. I recently had a fuel leak and had the car at my Indy. They did a pressure test and say my radiator is leaking. $1300 to replace. I have another indy shop I have used and they quoted $1050. The shop that tested I trust. I've brought my car there and there were opportunities for them to screw me and they didn't. Plus the guy told me "I wouldn't put that much money into this car. It's old, had rust issues etc" ....lol
I am thinking of tackling myself. I have access to a garage with a lift. Question is how hard is this for a decent wrench turner? This video is for a 430 I think. I know the 55 fan is a double fan so there are probably some minor differences.
Anyone know if these Mahle Behr radiators are good enough? It's $300 versus nearly $500 for OEM Mercedes?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...320-2025007803
Lastly - any thoughts on stop leak? I am hesitant to put that in my cooling system but it should be be cheap and easy if it were a good option. Note - I might not be keeping this car much longer.
thanks!
I've been getting coolant low warnings for a month and have added coolant 3x. I replaced the reservoir cap just in case but she still leaks. I recently had a fuel leak and had the car at my Indy. They did a pressure test and say my radiator is leaking. $1300 to replace. I have another indy shop I have used and they quoted $1050. The shop that tested I trust. I've brought my car there and there were opportunities for them to screw me and they didn't. Plus the guy told me "I wouldn't put that much money into this car. It's old, had rust issues etc" ....lol
I am thinking of tackling myself. I have access to a garage with a lift. Question is how hard is this for a decent wrench turner? This video is for a 430 I think. I know the 55 fan is a double fan so there are probably some minor differences.
Anyone know if these Mahle Behr radiators are good enough? It's $300 versus nearly $500 for OEM Mercedes?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...320-2025007803
Lastly - any thoughts on stop leak? I am hesitant to put that in my cooling system but it should be be cheap and easy if it were a good option. Note - I might not be keeping this car much longer.
thanks!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 12
From: Chicago, IL.
2006 E55 AMG, 2019 BMW M240I xdrive coupe, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang
Thanks, I ended up just having it done. I found a shop less than a mile away and they did it for $750. They used a Mahle Behr replacement which was half the price of OEM. It is still a good made in Germany replacement. I would have spent $350 to get one shipped and probably several hours replacing so it seemed like worthwhile expenditure.
