GDawgC220

hey all,
alright, when the ML sits outside for a day or two in really cold weather (0-10 degree's), it drips about 3-4 drops of coolant onto the engine block. It drips directly in the upper right corner, right below the tubes from the coolant housing.

is this normal? I've never seen it on other cars where it does that? Maybe the tube is not as flexible and it lets some seep out? Debating whether to take this to get it checked out or wait till service time...

-G-

sosh

No its not normal. Most likely caused by a bad hose or tube connection or even a loose clamp or bad o ring. Happens when its cold as the components contract. Should not be a big problem to correct and if not fixed, odds are that it will get worse over time

Darkmann

just a week ago, same thing. I traced last year's problem to a loose hose clamp on the upper radiator hose - was fixed under warranty. I left last week's problem for them to trace and fix. They traces it to clamps on lower radiator hoses, yer "HOSES". Clamps were tightened and now I am OK - and I don't even park outside!!! What's the second lower rad. hose for other than tranny cooling???

snoopy

Hello
I'm new here and would like to respond to this email regarding the coolant leak. My ML has been in the shop so many times I have a cot with a soft pillow waiting for me at the dealer. But anyway the problem with the leaking is not the clamp it is the hose. I had my lower hose replaced and the leak was gone. 1 week later no leak and all is good until 2 days ago I noticed a coolant leak on the other side It happens to be that the upper hose is now leaking. I was just at the dealer yesterday for them to inspect the leak. The placed a new upper hose on order.

coykiam

hi guys.....same problem here 2 weeks ago...coolant leak...called MB up and service came here which fixed it in 5 minutes, the clam came lose i think it was because of those too cold temperatures....guess our SUVs little parts cannot take the weather.....*sigh*....not what i expected from this brand and for the price i paid for this SUV.....a 2 $ part that can cause thousands....dont we all love warranties??.......now my MB is in the shop for some repairs....my 1993 mazda mx3 with 50k miles seem to be more reliable than this german tank....

Sandy

This happend to me last year as well, and MB fixed it. I just went down another quart of coolant, so I suspect I am having the same trouble again. I wish they could solve this.

snoopy

I checked the clamps myself and found them to be tight. My service rep told me that there is a issues with the hoses when it is extremely cold, causing it to leak. Talk to your service rep and find out about the hoses.

GDawgC220

too tight? i thought it woulda been too loose or something.

Ron in SC

Coolant leaks can be hard to find. My suggestion is to find them yourself by using a pressure tester.

Connect the tester to the coolant reservior tank after you remove the radiator cap and pump up the pressure to 12 psi. Then start looking for leaks.

ONLY do this test when the coolant is cold, ie the engine has not been run for a good while. The reason being that the seals and hoses expand with heat and prevent the leak from either occurring or from being spotted easily. With the system cold the pressure applied to the system will more easily show you where your system is leaking.