2011 GL350 Bluetec - anyone with radiator replacement DIY / tips
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 33
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From: Normandie - Gold Beach
97 SL500 and a few BMW's
2011 GL350 Bluetec - anyone with radiator replacement DIY / tips
2011 GL350 Bluetec with 175k miles has a small but persistent coolant leak. Just had a local shop diagnose it and the verdict is that the radiator is leaking at one of its many connectors.
The shop is asking $1,650 for the job ($415 for Behr radiator, $77 for coolant, $980 for 6.75 hours of labor, tax on top of everything.) They said the entire front end has to come off (bumper cover, bumper reinforcement bar.)
FCP Euro has the same Behr radiator for $215. I've worked on cooling system on a couple of BMW's and a radiator is no biggie but this is a bit more involved. I'm leaning towards making it a weekend project and pocketing the $1,400. Maybe even throw in a couple of new hoses while there.
Found this video on YouTube.
The video is for a GL450, and I figure it's pretty close. He takes the bumper off, but not the bumper reinforcement bar.
Anyone done the job? Any DIY's that proved helpful? Any tips? How much trans fluid did you lose? I'm more concerned about trans top off than radiator job actually...
The shop is asking $1,650 for the job ($415 for Behr radiator, $77 for coolant, $980 for 6.75 hours of labor, tax on top of everything.) They said the entire front end has to come off (bumper cover, bumper reinforcement bar.)
FCP Euro has the same Behr radiator for $215. I've worked on cooling system on a couple of BMW's and a radiator is no biggie but this is a bit more involved. I'm leaning towards making it a weekend project and pocketing the $1,400. Maybe even throw in a couple of new hoses while there.
Found this video on YouTube.
Anyone done the job? Any DIY's that proved helpful? Any tips? How much trans fluid did you lose? I'm more concerned about trans top off than radiator job actually...
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I did the radiator change and it was a pain. You will need to remove the front bumper so you can get to the lower screws that hold the AC condenser lines to the radiator. The front bumper is easy to pull off but can be a pain to get back on. If you were thinking of changing your headlights, now is the time to do it along with the radiator. The wires on the interior of the headlights literally fall apart and will start to short and cause issues. Might as well do both while you have the bumper off.
Also, go ahead and change the o ring seal for the power steering reservoir. It's easy to access while everything is out of the way. I've replaced the o rings three times during my GL ownership.
Also, go ahead and change the o ring seal for the power steering reservoir. It's easy to access while everything is out of the way. I've replaced the o rings three times during my GL ownership.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 16
From: Normandie - Gold Beach
97 SL500 and a few BMW's
Thanks for the response. I found a different diesel only shop that knows these cars, will let me provide the part, and do the install for $600-700 - albeit without a warranty on the labor if the part I provide fails. I'm going to go with that option because this looks like more than I want to take on given winter temps in Reno, limited garage space, limited equipment to level the car for trans top off.
I ordered a Behr radiator along with three coolant containing hoses. The hoses are fine but given the age and miles on the car it would be silly to not replace the old ones given two of the three have to come completely off anyway.
I ordered a Behr radiator along with three coolant containing hoses. The hoses are fine but given the age and miles on the car it would be silly to not replace the old ones given two of the three have to come completely off anyway.
Last edited by FredoinSF; Jan 1, 2021 at 02:42 PM.
