Radiator leaking coolant into trans lines!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
slc 200 auto
My 1998 SLK 2300 compressor auto recently suffered a loss of drive. When checked at transmission specialist they say it is contamination caused by pinholes in radiator leaking glycol coolant into transmission. They say the cure is a complete overhaul and new radiator at a total cost of almost £1900!!!
Anyone else have info re this?
Anyone else have info re this?
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 232
Likes: 33
From: Vancouver, BC
E55 AMG
Sorry to bump an old thread but...
Were you guys confident about saying that "anything with a build date after 2003/09 used the improved radiators."?
Therefore my Model Year 2004 car, build date 2003/08/29 has the problematic radiator?
Was it a fix for a 2004 model year car? or for the production month of September?
I would assume all 2004 e55 are the same in terms of the radiator and piston ring land updates?
Were you guys confident about saying that "anything with a build date after 2003/09 used the improved radiators."?
Therefore my Model Year 2004 car, build date 2003/08/29 has the problematic radiator?
Was it a fix for a 2004 model year car? or for the production month of September?
I would assume all 2004 e55 are the same in terms of the radiator and piston ring land updates?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 7
From: North NJ
06 E55(SOLD), 03 E500(SOLD)
Based on the dates, you may have the problematic radiator. Check to see if you have a Valeo radiator, look for the dentile type crimping or the branding. Check out these threads:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ation-tsb.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...iator-r-r.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ation-tsb.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...iator-r-r.html
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2012 E350 Coupe
So I own a 2012 Mercedes E350 Coupe and just last week I got the shaking when shifting at low RPMs, usually 1st to 2nd(and vice versa) and 4th to 5th(and vice versa). I took it to the dealer last week they test drove it, said it was engine mounts so they changed engine mounts($1500). Today they called and said the radiator coolant is mixing with the transmission fluid. They recommended to install a new transmission($9000) and a new radiator($800). I told them to try and install a new radiator and flush all the cooling system and flush the transmission, this will cost about $2000 to do. I'm waiting until tommorow to see what happens and give you an update but if you know what's going to happen and what I should tell them then that'd be great!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
Likes: 532
From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Once the clutch plates are soaked in engine coolant overtime, the clutch plate friction material will start break down.
Thereby causing numerous shift issues, or non-engagement issues. It's always best to replace all the clutches in the transmission.
Now if it just happened, you might be able to get away with just an extensive flush including converter.
Thereby causing numerous shift issues, or non-engagement issues. It's always best to replace all the clutches in the transmission.
Now if it just happened, you might be able to get away with just an extensive flush including converter.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2012 E350 Coupe
Once the clutch plates are soaked in engine coolant overtime, the clutch plate friction material will start break down.
Thereby causing numerous shift issues, or non-engagement issues. It's always best to replace all the clutches in the transmission.
Now if it just happened, you might be able to get away with just an extensive flush including converter.
Thereby causing numerous shift issues, or non-engagement issues. It's always best to replace all the clutches in the transmission.
Now if it just happened, you might be able to get away with just an extensive flush including converter.
Last edited by 2012YoussefE350; Oct 7, 2019 at 06:59 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 586
2005 e55 AMG
The radiator is around 250.00 aftermarket. Then 150.00 in trans fluid and this is doing it yourself.
They know how to fix it by charging INSANE amounts of money.....I should know, I work in a dealer and sometimes cringe at what I charge !!
They know how to fix it by charging INSANE amounts of money.....I should know, I work in a dealer and sometimes cringe at what I charge !!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 109
From: DownEast Maine
CLS 55 AMG E500 ML320
Hope it keeps working for you. Time will tell. The history of this problem is against you though. It is always cheaper to get it done right the first time, if the dealer is your only source for getting things done right, then you are taking it to the right place.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 586
2005 e55 AMG
If the transmission keeps working ok for you I would VERY strongly recommend doing a flush one more time. The first flush is doing a great job at "washing" the internal parts, so after a month of driving … get that fluid out and put new stuff in !! Cheap insurance.
