Changing W203 radiator

[Ian B Walker]

The air con issue is that you have to unbolt the Condenser from the Radiator as they are attached to each other. This can sometimes be tricky. I have found that it is easier to remove the front bumper rather than disconnect the air con system. By doing this you can get at the bottom bolts that hold the two items together.

 

[1998K]

I'm not sure if this may help you but here you have some photo of a W203 radiator replacement.

I've to say that looking from the front side, that small black "other" radiator is different on mine, I've a similar components but in a different shape, I don't know what it is (a small radiator for the steering fluid or the autobox transmission!?).

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=228327

I hope you can see the pict. since I'm registrered in that site.

 

[Martin]

I'm not sure if this may help you but here you have some photo of a W203 radiator replacement.

I've to say that looking from the front side, that small black "other" radiator is different on mine, I've a similar components but in a different shape, I don't know what it is (a small radiator for the steering fluid or the autobox transmission!?).

Thanks 1998K great find!
The "wavy" silver metal crimping around the black plastic radiator tank on the replacement rad shown is exactly like radiator on my German built 2001 C200K.
The crimping on the Valeo rads shown in the MB TSB's is more of a straight square toothed design, shaped like castle battlements, (see my other Valeo rad posts). Perhaps we can find out from "Splinter" if it is a Behr rad or later Valeo and help us all identify what we have?

 

[Martin]

I have asked "Splinter" in the US forum:-
DIY Radiator Replacement
It looks like as suspected a Valeo radiator has straight toothed crimping of the rad end tanks while the Behr has a wavy strip of metal crimping around the end tanks (see photos below).
Therefore if you have one of the 2000-2003 cars affected this should be the easiest way to identify whether your car has a Valeo rad and if you should replace it before it fails..........

 

[Robbo]

Cheers, Martin,

I have behr rad then. Excellent news.

 

[phrane]

w203 Radiator change

Just had a quote from AMC wandsworth for Rad change @ £650 (parts + labour) for my c270 w203. Painful but gotta get fixed