shadinator

I checked the codes that you listed and it looks like my VIN falls in the ones that has the valeo radiatory. I will pm you my VIN number to confirm with you. If you dont mind emailing me the MB TSB I would greatly appreciate it. I will also pm you my email address. I will probably check with the dealer and see if it can be replaced even though I am well out of warranty (74k miles now). Have other people successfully gotten their radiators replaced even though they are out of warranty? Once I get the TSB I will see what can be done. If the dealer refuses, I will probably get a glycol test and get my radiator replaced elsewhere.

My car definitely has the low humming/buzzing/drone noise that you mentioned at low rpms (is louder when the air or AC is on) but we have had that problem since we got the car. We even had a couple of the service techs come out with us in the car and they always told us it was normal. Our 2006 E350 is dead silent at low rpms, you cant even tell the engine is on... thanks for your help!

gaazmon

Just got my car back today. They replaced the entire transmission, radiator, cooling lines, and torque converter. I was lucky that I had CPO, it covered it all.

Clinton Horn

I found this post from another member. One picture / thousand words.
The Valeo radiator has dental type crimping. Very distinctive and different from Behr. My E320 falls under the 065 chasis number mentioned above but it has a Behr unit. Possibly replaced in during the lease.
See posts 1 and 13



https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html

gaazmon

Very good diy post. I've heard this to also be a persistent problem on the C32s as well.

leehowell7

Hi 6HIFER,
My out-of-warranty 2003 E500 with 48K miles started with the shuddering last week. After reading all the posts, I knew it was the faulty radiator leaking into the transmission. Sure enough, my SA called and said I had a postive glycol test and needed a new radiator and recommended a new torque converter. I agreed to both. Once the work was done, I brought up the TSB, suggested MB cover the costs due to the obvious design flaw. He agreed to covering the parts ($2K), but I paid the labor ($1.5K). Hopefully, no more trouble!

e55 baller

Hey guys, i just saw this post and we are talking about these problems in the W211 E55 part of the forum.

Does the symptom of this issue seem to be like that described in this post?

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...eleration.html

tashakes

Well, crap, I finally determined that I have a Valeo because of the crimping. I will be sending a sample of the trans fluid for testing, hopefully it will come back negative.

I will be doing this every six months from now on, I should be able to catch any problem within these periods. I have decided not to replace the radiator until I know that there is a problem. Knowing me, now that it is on the back of my mind, I will probably just replace the darn thing within the next few months anyway, seems like a simple enough job.

Is there a way to know how many failures there have been vs how many cars came with these radiators? From what I see, the percentage should be on the single digits, but I may be completely wrong.

dvmak

Why even take the chance? If you wait until it compromises the tranny .. even if caught very soon .. it may cause some damage.

mcleantmw

I agree..........replace the Valeo now with the updated part no. version.........when you start noticing the problem, your torque converter and maybe trans could be toast! You'll also have to flush both systems completely when it fails.

ECLASS500SPORT

I have an 03- E500 with 60K miles. I had noticed the jerking and did the inspection of the radiator and did find that I had the Valeo ,my SA said no contamination was found.
I replaced the radiator and had the trans fluid changed. I do still have the jerkingthough when I am in Sport mode.
Is that expected with our tranny? I dont assume it should get any worse seeing Ive taken the proper steps to prevent damage.

konigstiger

DTB P-B-27.20/78 may be the torque converter.

ECLASS500SPORT

would it be from glycol contamination. Please email me the DTB. Thanks

tashakes

True that, just waiting to get a break from expenses, I dont have to pay my kid's college tuition during the summer, so I wanted to do it then. For now I will send oil to test and hope for the best. I will start getting quotes on radiators, looks like I can do the job myself.

rsatmans

Hey Guys,

I have a leak at the conductor plate on 2003 clk500. They said I shouldn't just get the plug as it would probably fail in a couple of months but instead get the whole new plate. About $700 including labor, does this sound correct? I also see that my car has a valeo radiato and it is in those years of the TSB can you please send me a copy. I am going to have the dealer check for glycol.

mcleantmw

Send me a PM with your email address and I'll be happy to email you the TSB.

rsatmans

Thank You So Much! I will report back after I talk to dealer.

SZMB

How does the coolant from a leaky radiator gets into the transmission? If the radiator leaks, shouldn't the coolant level running low and we should be able to see coolant in the engine compartment, and fix the leak before resulting in permanent damage to the tranny?

Air Marshall Eldritch

No, that sounds too high, although it might be typical for your dealer. I had my conductor plate changed along with the last fluid/filter change for under $400 all in from a MB-specialist indy.

mcleantmw

It's an integrated radiator for both the engine cooling and transmission systems. There's a transmission line with a connector that breaks and allows coolant to enter the transmission line thus contaminating the trans fluid and damaging the transmission and/or torque converter. In my case, they only had to replace the radiator with the upgraded P/N and the torque converter..........transmission didn't suffer any serious damage. All was covered under my CPO warranty.

trevorc21

Anyone heard or had same problems as these previous posts other than these prev 03 models? My 2007 E350 has had some problems since I bought it July 06. Dealer has always denied problem. Car is completely stuck in first gear now. Anyone have extra insight? Car is not under warrany, any "easy" repairs to get it out of first?

Thanks so much!

Untertürkheim

Have you inquired about buying an extended warranty?

trevorc21

Ummm, after it's already broke????

SoCalCLK

If the gears are stuck it may be the worst. 1) check for glycol contamination 2) a new radiator must be installed either way 3) a new torque convertor may be needed depending on how much glycol contamination there was. 4) at least you will have a fresh tranny and radiator going forward

tarokyama

I have a 2004 CLK500 with a VALEO radiator installed
however the manufacturing date of my Vehicle (as noted by the sticker
inside the door) is 01/04 Does this mean my Valeo radiator is OK??
or should I change it out?


please advise!!

thank you

SoCalCLK

How many miles do you have on your car? If everything is fine, you could live dangerously and do nothing. But the way I see it, you have to choices:

1) Replace the Radiator ONLY right now. $

2) Replace the Radiator AND Torque Convertor later (which is that I had to do). $$$