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I've been to my local independent shop to assess a coolant leak. Apparently it's quite common for a lot of the plastic coolant lines to basically fall apart in your hands for this year and age (2013 GL450 w/ 112k miles). I spent two days looking for leaks, replaced several of the lines myself, but was still leaking from somewhere. The shop found additional leaks and ended up replacing a bunch of lines, including the thermostat because the plastic housing broke while they were in there. I bring get home and there's another puddle. Take it back and they pressurize the system to find a "pin-hole" leak in the radiator near the upper radiator hose.
So, my question, should I at all consider the Liqui-Moly Radiator Stop Leak product or should I just replace the radiator?
I'm inclined to replace the radiator because I also have a worn drive belt, probably need to replace pulleys/tensioner, and I'm leaking oil from a camshaft position sensor / turbo, so I could get in there and get a better look while I'm at it. I haven't been able to find any instructions on the radiator replacement job, or any other DIYers who have documented the steps or made a video. Can anyone help scope this radiator replacement for me or point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance!
Coolant leak spraying from “pin hole” near upper radiator hose.
Last edited by jgallia; Jun 17, 2022 at 07:35 PM.
Reason: Adding picture
Replacing the radiator isn’t very hard in the GL. I had it out when replacing all the Turbo coolant hoses and recall it being easy. The hardest part was getting the radiator shroud out of the way to pull the radiator up and out. Once it’s out you have great access to the belt and tensioner.
I did mine last year, more time consuming. There a couple write up here, and you tube. Its actually very self explanatory. You do not need to remove the bumper, there are some bolts that are fiddly to get to, but I can't imagine removing the bumper is necessary. You will have to disconnect the trans cooler lines. There is a ground strap on the drivers side that helps tremendously to remove. The hardest part is getting the new one in. If you search my posts you will find some write up.
I've been to my local independent shop to assess a coolant leak. Apparently it's quite common for a lot of the plastic coolant lines to basically fall apart in your hands for this year and age (2013 GL450 w/ 112k miles). I spent two days looking for leaks, replaced several of the lines myself, but was still leaking from somewhere. The shop found additional leaks and ended up replacing a bunch of lines, including the thermostat because the plastic housing broke while they were in there. I bring get home and there's another puddle. Take it back and they pressurize the system to find a "pin-hole" leak in the radiator near the upper radiator hose.
So, my question, should I at all consider the Liqui-Moly Radiator Stop Leak product or should I just replace the radiator?
I'm inclined to replace the radiator because I also have a worn drive belt, probably need to replace pulleys/tensioner, and I'm leaking oil from a camshaft position sensor / turbo, so I could get in there and get a better look while I'm at it. I haven't been able to find any instructions on the radiator replacement job, or any other DIYers who have documented the steps or made a video. Can anyone help scope this radiator replacement for me or point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance!
Coolant leak spraying from “pin hole” near upper radiator hose.
I am telling you from past experience, DO NOT put any stop leak in the GL!!!
I had a leak develop in my heater core, and to buy me some time to get it replaced, I used the K-seal stop leak, thinking it wouldn't damage anything. Well, the mechanic ended having to replace my entire cooling and heating system and hoses because the stuff had gunked everything up! Not cool and very expensive lesson!
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