tarokyama

I have 64k miles on the car. no transmission problems knock on wood...

so any VALEO radiator is at high risk of breaking?
or just on vehicles manufactured before 09/03 ?


Please help, thanks!

UsedMB

Hi,

Can you tell me what is a dental type crimp? Can you tell me which picture in the above post shows the crimp?

Thanks!

007_e350

Should I be worried about radiator leaking into the tranny ?

gaazmon

I believe ANY valeo radiator is at risk of breaking. My car was built 02/04 and the transmission became contaminated at around 47k miles. I guess they had some laying around that they would throw on cars.

007 E350 (I was watching casino royal the other day actually, DBS ddddrrrrooooolllllllll), I have never heard of it happening on an E350. You most likely do not have the valeo radiator but the updated one (I think it's Baer or something). Also, I have never heard of it happening on an 05.

Clinton Horn

The pictures in the DIY radiator thread are labeled. The VALEO radiator in post 13 has alternating high and low aluminum "teeth" that are crimped (wrapped) around the tank. The Behr unit has a "wavy" look to the ends of the core. They are supposedly marked on top but I think it is difficult to see because of the rubber / insulation on top where the hood meets the grill. Also, unless I am mistaken, there is a radiator and an A- C condensor layered in place. If you see the dental crimping on the back of the radiator (the side facing the fan) you should be concerned.

On a different note, I noticed a pronounced "whine" in my 2003 5 speed tranny yesterday. It was in W mode. I changed to S and it disappeared. Anyone have any knowledge about that? I exchanged about 1/2 of the fluid with the correct Mercedes branded fluid about 2000 miles ago. I was careful to replace only what came out, and a new pan filter.
I am beginning to wonder if that was wise. Changed at 39000. Now has 41,000

UsedMB

Thanks! I got it now. I should have read the entire post . I'm going to check under my hood again tonight. Thanks again!

mcleantmw

Not all Valeo radiators used on MB vehicles had the defective design. You need to check the MB DTB 27.55.50g for applicabilty to your specific CLK Series/209 vehicle. You may have to get your MB Dealer to verify whether you vehicle has the defective designed radiator installed even if it falls within the Model 209 listed below. If it does have it, I also would strongly recommend you get it replaced with the newer version radiator as a preventive maintenance and catastrophic failure prevention approach. Here's the applicability section from the DTB:
Model 203.040/061/064/065/081/084/261/264/281/284/740/747/764
Model 209.365/375/376/465/475
Model 211.065/070/076/083/265/283
Up to Production Date 09/2003
Harsh Engagement Possibly Followed by Droning/Buzzing Noises During Light Acceleration Between Engine Speed of 1200 – 2500 RPM

UsedMB

Yay, my 2004 E320 doesn't have the dreaded Valeo radiator! I just couldn't see the crimps at the bottom of the radiator because the fan and shroud are in the way. After digging around a little, I found out how you can see the radiator label.

1. The first picture shows where to find the rubber flap that is between a top metal piece and the radiator. See where the finger is pointing.

2. The second picture is a close-up look of this rubber flap.

3. The third picture shows how the flap is lifted exposing the label on top of the radiator.

4. The fourth picture clearly shows the radiator label printed on it a circle around letter B indicating this is a Behr radiator.

Good luck!

tarokyama

MCleanTMW

I have 64k miles on my 2004 CLK500
with a manufacturing date on the door of 01/04

my chasis etc. is:

ModelCLK 500Chassis2093751F103607Engine113968 30 563640Transmission722633 05 071411Order0 4 705 15460Delivery date26.01.04

The dealership denied the fact of a faulty radiator in certain
models and claimed that all radiators are suceptable to failing
and leaking into the transmission..

Please tell me if I should have this changed by and indie or not..

thanks much!

Clinton Horn

I am afraid that you have celebrated prematurely. Do you see the reference to 134A on the label? That is the refridgerant code which leads me to believe that you are looking at the A-C condensor not the radiator. Anyone care to confirm?

UsedMB

... will be back under the hood tonight!

mcleantmw

PM your email address to me and I'll send you the MB DTB for this issue that you can use to research further and, if necessary, get a MB Dealer or independent repair shop to verify whether you have the defective designed (old crimping method) Valeo radiator installed or not. Not all Valeo radiators used in Benz vehicles are defective, just Part No. A2115000202which now in the MB Parts Catalog is replaced with radiator part no. A2115003102. The upgraded part no. may be a Valeo or another brand item.

UsedMB

My radiator crimps are both wavy and notched . I think the crimps looked more Behr than Valeo. There are no right angle folds at the end of the crimps. The plastic of the radiator definitely looked more Behr than Valeo with the series of bumps made for the wavy crimps. It must be an earlier version of Behr where they used to notch the crimps instead of one continuous wave.

May I celebrate now?

novae500

mcleantmw

where did you get your benz serviced under the CPO warranty? Tysons Benz (HBL) i have an 06 E500 and wonder if i should be worried about the glycol problem.

Did the service people give you problems to get the repairs done under CPO?

05clk500Art

Whats up guys? what kind of tranny oil sould we use???
i am trying to fine the behr Radiator but no luck can some one help me out please

thanks you for any info

tarokyama

I checked my Radiator and the part no. is: A2035002903
which appears to be the same radiator they use on the 203 series MB.

Anyway of checking if this is an updated one or the original?

Thanks

tmerhebi

I am having problems with tranny too. Dealer says its torque converter and wont bother trying to re-adapt

Symptoms are when slightly accelerating (while driving between 20-45mph) seems like car would upshift slowly accelerate then downshift and back to normal driving, almost like someone not able to properly drive a manual car.
While car is on the go, no problems at all , also no problems if driving manually choosing gears.

Dealer wont bother with the re-adaptation and says I need a new Torque converter.

I am willing to replace but wanted to check with you guys if it will solve the problem (I have SL500 2004 with 7g-tronic) uses same torque as 211.

Do i need to replace T/Q or simply re-adapt at another dealer ?? Please PM me DTB's

Help is greatly appreciated

SoCalCLK

I think you may have to bite the bullet and replace the Torque Convertor. My car had similar issues and replacing it was the only cure. You'll be glad once you did, as the car will have a new lease on life.

tmerhebi

This is gonna cost me $$$ 1,800$ for the torque alone without labor...

Anyway i hope this resolves my problem gonna take the car tomorrow..

SoCalCLK did ur old (bad) torque seem to make the tranny upshift directly after u press on the gas pedal (that's where you feel there's no power in the car) then feels like it would pick up after some shaking (or vibration??)

Thanks for confirming its the torque was afraid to replace without resolving the issue. Just want to make sure I have the same problem u used to have.. u can also feel it after a turn because u dont have your foot on the gas and while/after turning u slightly press the gas pedal and it does it... lol.. weird problem never happened to me (and only at 40,000 miles)

By the way your brabus rims are beauutiful

vettdvr

This is the ONLY oil I use in my transmission.

SoCalCLK

Thanks, for the compliment, man!

Yes, I had the same symptoms: Started with 1) the shaking and rattling, even on the fwy, everytime my car shifted. At first I thought it was my alignment, etc. but it was the tranny/torque convertor. 2) The upshift, when I mashed the throttle, otherwise, it would not shift at all, or shift very hard.

Before you take it into service, search the Internet for a 15% or 20% Off coupon for service, (that translates into a potential $300-360 savings) after you get the work done, call Mercedes-Benz USA, and they may be able to help you get a partial refund, in addition to any coupons.

tmerhebi

Thanks for the tip man.. will save myself some money...

By the way do you know what caused this problem of the torque converter going bad?
I dnt have any glycol or radiator fluid leaking dealer said it just goes bad after a while (40k miles!! only though) maybe I could take some preventive measures for the future..

Jen_Kenne

Fantastic post! Perhaps this should become a sticky since the consequences are so harsh -- and expensive.

ifrichard

My crimps are the same as shown by UsedMB in Post #63. That is that they are both wavy and broken. My car is a 2004 E Class wagon that was built in August of 2003. The VIN is WDB2112651A392966.

I did not see a definitive response to UsedMB’s post #63. Is it a Valeo or a Behr?

Thanks, Richard

UsedMB

Check-out this post and convince yourself which radiator is closer to the one you have:

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