Should I be Worried Valeo Radiator

[oilslick]

Are the hoses a mb direct part ?? Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

I've just bought a new nissens radiator for £81 from eBay from carpartsandspares2012 this company is based in Birmingham

 

[Twistedmind]

81 quid new ????

If you did, bargain of the year

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[Twistedmind]

Just purchased new metal ATF pipes and hoses. (All mashed).

They aren't cheap lol

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[Twistedmind]

All work is now complete. But a few problems

Esp fault on dash. I have fully locked the car steering left and right (normally sorts it) but no joy

And there looks like I have a white substance in the rad water. Looks like white spunk lol.

Not sure if the anti freeze has caused this

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[grober]

All work is now complete. But a few problems

Esp fault on dash. I have fully locked the car steering left and right (normally sorts it) but no joy

And there looks like I have a white substance in the rad water. Looks like white spunk lol.

Not sure if the anti freeze has caused this

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

May have been caused by a protective coating or manufacturing residue on the inside of the new radiator. Always an idea to give them a flush through before fitting. However unlikely to be a problem unless its extensive- If it worries you - drain but keep the radiator coolant =[to inspect ] to judge the extent of the problem. If its just a surface scum just remove it refill and top up. If it's extensive you might want to consider reflushing the system and using a new coolant mix.

 

[Twistedmind]

Cheers. I will keep an eye on it

Any ideas on clearing the esp fault

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[grober]

Any chance you disturbed wheel speed sensor wiring when fitting the new radiator? The ESP will use the same wheel speed sensors as the ABS system to monitor for instability. All else fails a STAR diagnostic should tell you where the fault lies.

 

[Twistedmind]

Might have. Where is it located. I will have a look.

Cheers

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[grober]

Unless the wiring loom runs along the front cross member under the radiator its unlikely you have disturbed anything as the sensors are on the wheel hubs and their wiring usually enters the inner wings further back. Not familiar with their precise wiring run on your car sorry.

 

[Twistedmind]

That's got to be the problem. I had the wheel arch liners off for another job while the rad work was going on.

Looks like they have to come off again !

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[merc estate]

Reading everyone panicking does anyone know when the bad rads were, i have a 2006 facelift e320 w211 estate were these affected or can i sleep for a change tonight, Thanks.

 

[SavMan]

A redesign was implemented during the 3rd quarter of 2003. There have been some reported failures on later cars but in much smaller numbers or at least based on forum posts, never actually seen what the likely failure rate was before that either.

 

[Bonkkis]

below 3 lists of affected cars. the list has been verified as MB list by MB finland. however it's completeness/correctness has not. according to MB spareparts service central (and others pretty trustworhty sources) in finland there are other affected cars including those with behr radiator.

most affected cars seem to be 2002-2004.

check the sticker on your rad. if it says valeo and pre 9/2003 (however not pre 2002) there's a good chance your rad can cause the problematic leaking. then again it might not.
if your car is in the risky ones first do the glycol verification. its around 40£. just suck 1-2ml of atf with a new hose and syringe and take it to your mb dealer. if the amount is not critical changing the rad and atf CAN do the job. if critical the damage might be done already. vibration while driving is a common symptom for this kind of a problem. by then it might be too late to change just atf. you might need a new tranny.

keep in mind that if your rad has been changed, it might still have glycol in the atf. do the test anyway. a cheap insurance.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/710/07092011181.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/07092011182.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/07092011184.jpg/

 

[Mercfreaks]

below 3 lists of affected cars. the list has been verified as MB list by MB finland. however it's completeness/correctness has not. according to MB spareparts service central (and others pretty trustworhty sources) in finland there are other affected cars including those with behr radiator.

most affected cars seem to be 2002-2004.

check the sticker on your rad. if it says valeo and pre 9/2003 (however not pre 2002) there's a good chance your rad can cause the problematic leaking. then again it might not.
if your car is in the risky ones first do the glycol verification. its around 40£. just suck 1-2ml of atf with a new hose and syringe and take it to your mb dealer. if the amount is not critical changing the rad and atf CAN do the job. if critical the damage might be done already. vibration while driving is a common symptom for this kind of a problem. by then it might be too late to change just atf. you might need a new tranny.

keep in mind that if your rad has been changed, it might still have glycol in the atf. do the test anyway. a cheap insurance.

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Hey Bonkkis - This old post showing imageshack links which you say in your post lists affected cars - is that the same list contained in MB TSB P-B-27.55 50f ie W203, W209 and W211 various model numbers? Can no longer get images from your link above.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Hey Bonkkis - This old post showing imageshack links which you say in your post lists affected cars - is that the same list contained in MB TSB P-B-27.55 50f ie W203, W209 and W211 various model numbers? Can no longer get images from your link above.

That's because they are from 6 years ago.

If you car was going to have the issue it would have by now.

 

[grober]

VALEO

BEHR

Notice the difference in how the plastic end casing is attached to the metal core. Many people use NISSENS for radiator replacement - if you feel its necessary to put your mind at rest.

 

[Mercfreaks]

T

That's because they are from 6 years ago.

If you car was going to have the issue it would have by now.

Thank you both for responding. I thought maybe the info from Finland MB might have been more comprehensive than the MB TSB of March 2006 such as which plant produced the dud Valeos and dates of manufacture, but I guess MB made more money keeping that info secret. I've only recently realized car has a pre 2003 Valeo radiator, something the local MB dealer who has serviced the car since new failed to mention. Car was built 01-2002 and it is a w203.035 (c180 2litre), a model not included in the 2006 MB TSB, so at the time I assumed dud radiators didn't affect this model. But further research shows the w203.061 model, which was included in the TSB, has exactly the same MB radiator part no. Car belongs to my wife and has only done 45k km and has been trouble free and drives like new so would like to keep it even though 17 years old. I have a friend also with same year model and original Valeo rad with 200k on the clock without problems. Not sure what to do. Is a new rad manufactured in PRC better than the trouble free (up to now) made in France Valeo already installed? I think I'll go with Bonkkisit suggestion and just keep an eye out for oil slick in header tank and have transmission fluid checked next service. Thanks again.

 

[Michaeltyas]

There is no inherent weakness with a Valeo radiator. Valeo are a high quality brand for many items.

The issue is that the internal heat exchanger has rubber connection grommets where the ATF banjo bolts pass through the plastic radiator end cap. These grommets weren't lubricated on build so the banjo bolts deform them, sometimes allowing ATF and coolant to mix.

As long as the grommets are OK there is no issue.

Behr radiators use an identical system.

Hi, I know this is an old post, but I am looking to buy a late 2002 CLK320, which I think will have the Valeo radiator. Can you actually see if the banjo bolt grommets are in good condition and can they be replaced?