Bluetec R320 Blowing our Cooling system
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: SoCal
R320 Bluetec
Bluetec R320 Blowing out Cooling system
Hi all. I have a 2009 R320 Bluetec. I bought it about a year ago. It had 80,000 miles on it when I got it, now has 112,000 miles on it.
About a month ago on the freeway the upper radiator hose blew up. Literally blew a hole in the side of the hose. I had checked all hoses and belts when I bought the car and had it inspected. None of the hoses showed any signs of cracking or wear, so blowing a hole in a hose was a surprise.
Had it fixed.
Last week it started dumping coolant again, this time out a hole in the radiator. Had the radiator hose replaced and the whole cooling system flushed, again.
Yesterday it dumped out all the coolant AGAIN. This time a T in the heater circuit behind the engine exploded. I'm waiting for the pics and video.
This is more than just some failing parts, this seems to be something systematic. The shop is going to check for excess pressure and emissions in the cooling system at a local smog shop to see if there is a leaking head gasket.
I was wondering though, from my experience in the Domestic Diesel Truck world purging coolant is something that the Ford and Duramax guys have seen when they turn up the power or have problems with the EGR flash boiling the coolant. The Bluetec is new to me so I am still learning.
Does this sound like something that could be possible?
Thanks
About a month ago on the freeway the upper radiator hose blew up. Literally blew a hole in the side of the hose. I had checked all hoses and belts when I bought the car and had it inspected. None of the hoses showed any signs of cracking or wear, so blowing a hole in a hose was a surprise.
Had it fixed.
Last week it started dumping coolant again, this time out a hole in the radiator. Had the radiator hose replaced and the whole cooling system flushed, again.
Yesterday it dumped out all the coolant AGAIN. This time a T in the heater circuit behind the engine exploded. I'm waiting for the pics and video.
This is more than just some failing parts, this seems to be something systematic. The shop is going to check for excess pressure and emissions in the cooling system at a local smog shop to see if there is a leaking head gasket.
I was wondering though, from my experience in the Domestic Diesel Truck world purging coolant is something that the Ford and Duramax guys have seen when they turn up the power or have problems with the EGR flash boiling the coolant. The Bluetec is new to me so I am still learning.
Does this sound like something that could be possible?
Thanks
Last edited by thetonka; Jun 5, 2016 at 07:32 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: SoCal
R320 Bluetec
Anyone?
They found the latest failure. It was a T fitting in the coolant line for the EGR and the heater core. It blew the fitting apart.
The shop says these parts are not being made anymore and are getting really rare. Also says the EGR setup is different than the ML, and E-class. So I got an oddball year apparently.
I hope they can figure out the root cause, I love this care but this is ridiculous.
They found the latest failure. It was a T fitting in the coolant line for the EGR and the heater core. It blew the fitting apart.
The shop says these parts are not being made anymore and are getting really rare. Also says the EGR setup is different than the ML, and E-class. So I got an oddball year apparently.
I hope they can figure out the root cause, I love this care but this is ridiculous.
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From: Sydney, Australia
190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
Check the radiator cap first, If there was excessive pressure it should vent it before it could blow anything apart.
Prior to developing a major leak do you have any coolant loss or overheating?
Prior to developing a major leak do you have any coolant loss or overheating?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: SoCal
R320 Bluetec
The first incident was a month ago. There was no coolant loss just the catastrophic failure of the top radiator hose. It blew a hole in the side of the hose. The shop put in a new hose, coolant and did a complete flush and pressure test.
The second incident as less than a month later with a hole in the radiator. No coolant loss before the hole.
The latest incident was a week after the new radiator was installed.
Each time the entire system was flushed and pressure tested.
The second incident as less than a month later with a hole in the radiator. No coolant loss before the hole.
The latest incident was a week after the new radiator was installed.
Each time the entire system was flushed and pressure tested.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sydney, Australia
190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
The problem is when some tech pressure test a cooling system is that they forget that the one item they aren't testing when doing a system pressure test is the cap as it's removed to fit the pressure tester. I've seen many techs forget to pressure test the cap separately. If in doubt, just replace the cap to be sure.
As the rest of the system is not failing a pressure test just keep monitoring the colour of the coolant in the expansion tank one a week when cold for any sludge, change in colour or coolant loss.
As the rest of the system is not failing a pressure test just keep monitoring the colour of the coolant in the expansion tank one a week when cold for any sludge, change in colour or coolant loss.
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: SoCal
R320 Bluetec
Thanks, that's a good point, did not think of replacing the cap. It seemed odd to me that the pressure would rise fast enough that the cap would not release pressure fast enough to blow up a radiator hose. Last time I looked I did not see a cap, but that wouldn't make any sense.
The odd thing about this is during the month after replacing the top radiator hose, and new coolant, I checked the coolant and oil and found no evidence of oil or combustion chamber output in the coolant, and no coolant in the oil.
The odd thing about this is during the month after replacing the top radiator hose, and new coolant, I checked the coolant and oil and found no evidence of oil or combustion chamber output in the coolant, and no coolant in the oil.
The problem is when some tech pressure test a cooling system is that they forget that the one item they aren't testing when doing a system pressure test is the cap as it's removed to fit the pressure tester. I've seen many techs forget to pressure test the cap separately. If in doubt, just replace the cap to be sure.
As the rest of the system is not failing a pressure test just keep monitoring the colour of the coolant in the expansion tank one a week when cold for any sludge, change in colour or coolant loss.
As the rest of the system is not failing a pressure test just keep monitoring the colour of the coolant in the expansion tank one a week when cold for any sludge, change in colour or coolant loss.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: SoCal
R320 Bluetec
I got my R back. They replaced the fitting. Took them a while to find the part as the MB documentation and drawings were wrong for the EGR cooling system.
They checked the engine and found no damage and no leak in the head gaskets. So no obvious cause of these problems. What they did find was the fitting was very brittle and had more deposits and evidence of rust than should be in a car like this with these miles. Looks like a previous owner may have put hose water or crappy coolant in the engine.
Hoping no more problems.
They checked the engine and found no damage and no leak in the head gaskets. So no obvious cause of these problems. What they did find was the fitting was very brittle and had more deposits and evidence of rust than should be in a car like this with these miles. Looks like a previous owner may have put hose water or crappy coolant in the engine.
Hoping no more problems.
