harkgar

Does anyone know what the cylindrical thing is in front of the radiator of this 2007 E320 Bluetec?

It looks like some kind of heat dissipation coil.

EdzBenz

Interesting. Does it have hoses that connect to it? If so, where do the hoses go?
Maybe a tranny cooler?

lkchris

Could also be power steering fluid cooler.

harkgar

There is a tube which looks identical to this one in my car without the cylinder of tiny wires over it. The photo was taken in the local MB owned dealership of a demo Bluetec. There is nothing linking this "coil" to the black metal tube it attaches itself to.

Is this present on your GL 320 CDi?

lkchris

It's not.

240D 3.0T

Fuel cooler. Compressing the fuel to 20,000psi makes alot of heat.

harkgar

For comparison I am posting a photo of my own car with the tube and minus the fine wire coil on the Bluetec.

The black metal tube runs right across the middle of the radiator.

Ausmbtech

It's a power steering cooler

Diesel Benz

Since so many views, a second (or is it third, lkchris already mention this) opinion on this one, it is the new implementation of the power steering cooler.

pinebaron

Thanks. I have often wondered but now I know too. It is in my car. I found something on the net:

Power assisted steering is present on most vehicles. What is not commonly known, however, is the fact that some power steering systems reach temperatures that significantly reduces the life of the system.

The power steering system creates pressure, in turn creating heat. The rise in the temperature of the system can create loss of assist as well as leakage. This primarily occurs when the temperature of the fluid exceeds the specification of hoses and of the seals in the pump.

Power steering oil coolers are commonly found on higher performance or specialty vehicles, vehicles with increased trailer towing capacity, large car platforms, SUV’s and Trucks.

Automakers continue to stretch warranty periods to win the end consumer’s business and power steering oil coolers are one of the components used to achieve these extended warranty periods and ensure a robust product.

Untertürkheim

I would guess it is the PS fluid cooler since the E classes have the parameter-steering.

harkgar

What is parameter steering?

Diesel Benz

Option code 213, not standard on smaller E-class cars in Europe. It means speed sensitive power steering.