mwb928

Hi,

Few weeks ago I just purchased a W211 (203 E320) and I notice it may have the radiator leakage problem. My car is 46000 miles and still running and shifting fine. Before I purchased it at the middle of September, the previous owner changed the water pump and coolant on July this year. The dealer changed the transmission filter and fluid right before I purchased. The car was manufactured at 10/2002. Is my car fall into the radiator problem category? I am very serious worry about it and I could buy a new radiator and exchange by myself. Could anyone explain how to identify the manufacture of the radiator and where could I obtain the TSB. Some threads mention the TSB but I could not obtain either block or need to purchase the whole set.

I am planning to change by myself if it got affect, i would like to know the 2003 E320 radiator same as non affect one? If I buy a new Valeo radiator, is it safe to use it or I have to choose Behr?

Thanks for the input and I will post the radiator changing method on this section when I perform the action.

Diesel Benz

Have you had the transmission oil tested for glycol? If the radiator is original, it is likely the affected part. A modified (Valeo) part was used from 09/2003 onwards. Experts say that a Nissens radiator is best even if I believe it was never used by MB.

Clinton Horn

You can search for the answer in this forum. This topic is thoroughly discussed.
One thread has pictures.
Some people (mistakenly) believe that raising the rubber flap on top of the radiator reveals a BEHR sticker. This is the A-C coil and IS NOT your problem.

If you face the car and peer inside the engine bay , look at the bottom of the RADIATOR (as opposed to the condensor coil ). If the radiator COOLING FINS are crimped to the tank with a dental style crimp
___ ___
__| |___| | you have the good (desireable) one Sorry this does not look the same in post as it does in edit . Looks like Jack o Lantern teeth

If the crimp is "wavy" that is an indication of the Valeo unit that tends to fail

Look for photos in this Forum, They explain it very well

Search Transmission Failure , Valeo, Coolant leak etc

mwb928

Thanks for sharing. I will bring my car to dealer for check up next week.

After I did some website searching about German car maker's law suits, I notice tons of settlement compare with Japanese made. From now on, this is my last German car and I will stay away. MB must honor the radiator design fault and not passing the repair cost to customer.

I am also noticing an attorney post a thread regarding to this issue which he will start a law suit against with MBUSA of the coolant leakage and transmission damage.

****** No matter how nice of German make, I will stay away. ******

MB is an evil company

Diesel Benz

Sounds like a good decision. But I would suggest you to tie a rope around the gas pedal and place the other end next to the gear lever so that you can decelerate the car at least in most cases when the car itself decides to run at full speed.

verlin samonte

this is the radiator on my w211 2003 e200 kompressor. is this part defective valeo batch?

this is the radiator on my w211 2003
e200 kompressor. is this part defective valeo batch?

tjts1

Yes

konigstiger

See attached bulletin.

verlin samonte

mine is wdb2110421a1......, not on the list of w211s , but ill replace , mine has hole due stock sharp bone between fan and radiator. maybe a cat or rat brought it their.