C32 Glycol fix;- oil cooler bypass 'undo'

[Mr Fixit]

Just got the car back from an initila check at a dealer, aside from the front bearing and a few bits (front anti roll bar+ bushes) we are in good shape. However the guys pointed out that the oil cooler had been bypassed with a simple link across the box, with the original pipes simply cut off!!

I'm not sure who or when the bypass was done, IE as a result of the gylcol contamination or to prevent it, but they are suggesting that this is put back and a new rad fitted, is this worth it especially as we are goingto have a hot summer ??

I also think that there is a 'rumple' and that was the bearing but wonder if this could be the box

 

[Satch]

Just to be clear, are you saying that the entire cooling circuit on your automatic transmission has been wholly bypassed?

 

[joecash]

i would consider an extra "cooler" for the atf rather than replacing the main rad - plenty have done it

the source and reason for the rumble should also be determined as part of the overall equation

 

[Mr Fixit]

Yep it looks like the entire system was bypassed;- Its also beginning to look like the guy who sold it was aware of the box issues as he only had it for 6 weeks selling on the basis that he needed a more economical car to compliment the BMW X5 4.4.

I like the idea of a seperate cooler;- why did MB not do this ITFP!!

 

[joecash]

I like the idea of a seperate cooler;- why did MB not do this ITFP!!

cost probably

if you google around you should find a cost effective solution for the oil cooler

 

[Dieselman]

The cooler is integrated with the radiator to give quick warm up and a constant temperature.

 

[sspeed]

And to increase the sales of new gearboxes..

 

[Mr Fixit]

Ok If I go for tyhe seperate cooler what are the recomendations in terms of size , rows etc;- there must be a rule of thumb based on how much oil needs cooling to what extent!
Where's a good place to install it though

 

[sspeed]

Ok If I go for tyhe seperate cooler what are the recomendations in terms of size , rows etc;- there must be a rule of thumb based on how much oil needs cooling to what extent!
Where's a good place to install it though

I have read before that a good place to start your enquiries is a Caravan place that fits tow bars etc.
Phone a few up.. If they cant help ask them who they know of..
Oil coolers are common for the Caravan towing community.

 

[BlackC55]

I would fit a new radiator and the pipework. I would prefer to do a proper job. Radiators are not expensive.

 

[Satch]

KENLOWE

Give them a ring and explain the problem

 

[DrEv1l]

Just got the car back from an initila check at a dealer, aside from the front bearing and a few bits (front anti roll bar+ bushes) we are in good shape. However the guys pointed out that the oil cooler had been bypassed with a simple link across the box, with the original pipes simply cut off!!

I'm not sure who or when the bypass was done, IE as a result of the gylcol contamination or to prevent it, but they are suggesting that this is put back and a new rad fitted, is this worth it especially as we are goingto have a hot summer ??

I also think that there is a 'rumple' and that was the bearing but wonder if this could be the box

Just checking that it is definitely the oil cooler that has been cut not the intercooler being separated from the main cooling loop? The latter is quite a common mod to reduce heat soak in the supercharger by separating the cooling loops.

 

[jaymanek]

I would fit a new radiator too... We fit Nissens ones as replacements and cannot fault them.

 

[grober]

Sorry to say that it sounds like the previous owner had the glycol/coolant in the ATF fluid problem which doesn't always become apparent till the gearbox begins to misbehave.
Quick bypass of the heat exchanger in the radiator and maybe a change of gearbox fluid which may have restored function and then move it on. Why would they do such a thing otherwise?
Have you had a look at at the ATF colour? Should be either pink or yellow coloured but the predominant feature is that's translucent [ clear] Any clouding/ darkening /opacity/ burnt smell is possibly bad news.

 

[elite_504]

exactly as Black c5 and jaymanek says, a nice nissins rad is only around £100, and fits the standard hose fittings with their special ends. Its not actually that much of a nightmare job. You have piece of mind that the radiator is now A-ok (do you really drive wih the multifunction display on engine temperature to spot a potential overheat- probably not; and a cooling circuit the way the Germans designed it. I trust the designers. yes, the Behr supplied radiators had a problem, but I trust the MB designers to have designed a system that does the job and doesn't blow head gaskets day in, day out..

 

[Vlad]

The problem radiators were Valeo (French)....it was precisely the fact that Mercedes did not fit Behr radiators and went for the cheaper alternative that caused the problem.

 

[Mr Fixit]

Update;- Berh rad fitted and all new plumbing;- Local MB dealer been great as they also noted the condenser was looking a little weary and replace this onl;y changing me fo the parts;- I can tow a caravan now!!

 

[E55BOF]

Are the W210s (mine's an E55) prone to this problem?

E55BOF

 

[jerry270ML]

Just got the car back from an initila check at a dealer, aside from the front bearing and a few bits (front anti roll bar+ bushes) we are in good shape. However the guys pointed out that the oil cooler had been bypassed with a simple link across the box, with the original pipes simply cut off!!

I'm not sure who or when the bypass was done, IE as a result of the gylcol contamination or to prevent it, but they are suggesting that this is put back and a new rad fitted, is this worth it especially as we are goingto have a hot summer ??

I also think that there is a 'rumple' and that was the bearing but wonder if this could be the box

I had my transmission changed and they installed me a separated radiator for transmission . But still gets hot sometimes. I dont see any improvement , except preventing glycol contamination .

 

[jerry270ML]

Are the W210s (mine's an E55) prone to this problem?

E55BOF

From what I know E55 dont have valeo radiators .