Another update... I believe I was able to pinpoint my leak. I've attached better photos. My question is, since this appears to be a hose that comes off the power steering reservoir and connects into the radiator cause over heating?? I'm a DIYer and have been working on cars all my life. I'm somewhat stumped here.

 

There are four penetrations into the side tanks, two for the transmission fluid cooling and two for the power steering fluid cooling. Each of these is sealed with an o-ring, which does not last forever. It is a real shame to discard a whole radiator because of these o-rings, but such is life. Fortunately the radiator is not all that expensive. Sooner or later the giant o-rings that seal the side tanks onto the aluminum fins will fail also.

 

Eric- I will replace O rings. However I don't feel it necessary to replace the whole radiator. I've read in here that some of the power steering hose fittings that connect to the radiator have become lose over time so I'll check those first. My concern is that the power steering fluid/antifreeze has leahad on all remaining lower hoses that it may have corridor those hoses. I did Snap a pic of a connector that took on some serious fluid. Can anyone identify this connector? Its below the upper radiator hose. More under the leaking power steering hose that attaches

to the radiator

 

I don't think you can replace the o-rings. I think they are inside the tank. Tightening the external nut pulls the heat exchanger outward, compressing each o-ring against the inside of the tank wall.

My power steering fluid hoses began leaking where they attach to the heat exchanger fitting. I don't know what happens to the hoses, as they looked okay to me. But they did. That fluid rots rubber that is not prepared for it, such as the heater hose line that runs underneath the radiator.

It is your choice, but if I were you I would just go through and replace most everything there.

 

Appreciate the feedback Eric. I don't mind replacing the radiator but last time I took off the front bumper, I couldn't get it to fit back on properly.

Anyone able to remove the radiator without removing the bumper please advise.

 

Take a look at YouTube channel Legitstreetcars - he takes radiator out of an 2006 ML 500 (I know, different because M113 motor) and does not remove bumper - and then proceeds to recommend against that method in hindsight.

 

If it already doesn't fit right, what's the worst that can happen. It fits even more not right?

I ended up omitting about a third of the fasteners for the radiator etc. Also cut off the bottom of the shroud or cowling. I didn't have any trouble reattaching the bumper cover, though.

I have learned also to always remove the front fender liners when working in that general area. There's all this stuff that you assume is solid but it's actually just a removable plastic shell.

On those fender liners, replace the clip nuts and bolts with stainless steel. You still have to lube the threads - stainless likes to gall against stainless - but at least they won't corrode.

 

Does WIS have front bumper removal installation I wonder if I posted my VIN?

 

It's super easy to remove. Remove the fender liner, unscrew the bolt holding the bumper to the body and pull out the metal sandwich plate holding the bumper to the body(swings out and back) - it's right there were the bumper cover meets the fender, loosen the bolts holding the bumper to the front of the car, then remove the under-panel screws holding it from below. Takes around 5 minutes after you've done it a few times. Getting the sandwich metal piece back on and that bolt to align can take some time though.

 

I've removed it before when I retrofitted my headlights. I could not for the life of me get that curved bracket back on and in place. I suppose if I do remove the bumper this time I'll fully remove the wheel liners. I can't find anywhere online or on here a detailed description/instruction sheet on how to correctly remove and reassemble