2003 clk320 valeo radiator

[steve333]

Hi all,recently bought my wife a 2003 w209 clk320 auto,cars on 98,000 miles with full service history and fell into the valeo radiator manufacturing year and as I’m aware they had problems with coolant ruining the auto box/torque coverter-question is as the car is now 20 years old is it likely the radiator would have failed by now or could the problem still surface?(have had a quote of £630 from my Mercedes specialist to replace with a bear unit)

 

[steve333]

Behr not bear Lol!

 

[markjay]

Try to see if you can spot any stickers on the radiator, if you're lucky you'll find the manufacturing date which will tell you if that's the original radiator or it has been replaced before.

 

[steve333]

Hi-thanks for the reply,have looked at what’s visible but no stickers,does appear to be the original as no evidence or a replacement in all the invoices present…..

 

[rich1068]

Mine's an early W209 too and I came across this issue researching prior to purchase. No stickers on mine either but after 20 years and 82k miles I have to assume mine is fine. Was it actually a recall on UK cars?

 

[steve333]

Mine's an early W209 too and I came across this issue researching prior to purchase. No stickers on mine either but after 20 years and 82k miles I have to assume mine is fine. Was it actually a recall on UK cars?

As far as I’m aware after the early w209’s valeo radiators we’re failing mb replaced them with behr units I think,don’t suppose all the early ones failed as like yours mines over 20 years old but no evidence of it ever being replaced,quoted £630 to supply and fit a new behr one so don’t know whether to bite the bullet…..

 

[clk320x]

I had an affected year car, if it was going to fail it would have by now. Mines still living with its original radiator.

 

[steve333]

I had an affected year car, if it was going to fail it would have by now. Mines still living with its original radiator.

Nice to hear

 

[rich1068]

As far as I’m aware after the early w209’s valeo radiators we’re failing mb replaced them with behr units I think,don’t suppose all the early ones failed as like yours mines over 20 years old but no evidence of it ever being replaced,quoted £630 to supply and fit a new behr one so don’t know whether to bite the bullet…..

I've also read of owners having the original Valeo radiators replaced by newer Valeo radiators. As @clk320x says, 20 years on I wouldn't worry.