Should I replace the Valeo radiator?

[Bobby Dazzler]

Talking to the top tech at my dealer on Friday. It seems that DCUK no longer authorise a replacement torque convertor or transmission in the event of ATF contamination - just a flush and refill.

Previously moderate containimation was a new torque converter, or more severe cases had a new gearbox. Not any more though.

 

[television]

Talking to the top tech at my dealer on Friday. It seems that DCUK no longer authorise a replacement torque convertor or transmission in the event of ATF contamination - just a flush and refill.

Previously moderate containimation was a new torque converter, or more severe cases had a new gearbox. Not any more though.

What does one do ????? if you have a car that you know may fail, on the other hand it may not, for piece of mind is it not worth fitting a separate cooler for the oil.

I often wondered if the affected clutch plates would eventually smooth down if left after being contaminated with the Glycol

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I sometimes think I should change mine as a preventative measure, and probably will once I'm out of warranty.

 

[fred_raven]

glycol contamination!!!

I think mine has this dreaded problem, vibration when accelerating at 1500 - 2000 revs. read threads on 3 mb forums and not sure about the following:

1. cant be sure if i have a valeo or rehr rad - cant see the ribbings at all without dismantling something!

2. car delivery date 24.01.04 so should have the rehr rad, i hope.

3. Is it possible that there is another cause?

4. IF contaminated can it be flushed and refilled? only recent and slight vibration so may not be too late

Any one any real experience to help?

 

[BlackC55]

You may not have the glycol issue just a faulty torque converter. Get the test done at a dealer first.

 

[Vlad]

Re flush and refill will not rectify the problem if Glycol has got into the transmission.....even the smallest amount of glycol will eventually kill the box as a mate of mine has just found out at a cost of £4500.

Talking to a transmission specialist recently they have been seeing lots of Mercs with the Valeo radiator problems and they recommend getting the radiator replaced if its still on the original Valeo.....I suspect that a pattern radiator would be significantly cheaper than a replacement purchased through an MB dealer.

 

[tony2311]

how much does it cost to replace the radiator on a c270? As i am looking at a few and will factor the replacement into the cost of car

 

[Dieselman]

Re flush and refill will not rectify the problem if Glycol has got into the transmission.....even the smallest amount of glycol will eventually kill the box as a mate of mine has just found out at a cost of £4500.

Did your mate ask for a goodwill payment.? I've just heard of one being agreed to 80% of the cost for rad, box and 'verter

 

[Vlad]

I'll ask the question the next time I see him.

 

[Risby]

Risby

Ive a sept 54 c270 cdi.I have just looked and found out i have a valeo radiator.
Should i worry or were later valeo radiators redesigned ??

Can it please be explained how I find out whether I have a Valeo rad on my Dec 04 C270 THanks

 

[masterclk]

and cars 211 with engine 113,271, 628,647,648 all fitted with the 772.6 gearbox and up to 30 09 03.

When the cars have been modified there is a white spot on the rad.
I hope this puts your mind at rest.


Malcolm

Just back on the Mercedes scene after 3 years and mine is the 2003 E320 Avantgarde Auto in Petrol....dafty but where can I pick up these numbers to identify...

 

[nujon]

Would that be a ~ 1/4 inch dia solid white circle marked in the centre of the upper right mounting bracket of the rad when viewed from the front of the car?

 

[monte man]

Id say best to change it as a matter of course.

 

[mykulmerc]

This fault only applies to cars,203 with engine 111,112,271,611,612990,646
209 cars with engine 112,113,271,612, and cars 211 with engine 113,271, 628,647,648 all fitted with the 772.6 gearbox and up to 30 09 03.

When the cars have been modified there is a white spot on the rad.
I hope this puts your mind at rest.


Malcolm

I've looked at a W209 which I was sure didn't have Valeo rad. Now I've just re-found this thread (couldn't find it earlier). The engine on the car I looked at is 612 series.

Did all 612 have valeo, or is it the case that a 612 could be either type of rad?

 

[Oli]

Does anyone know the engine and gearbox code for the 55AMG K engine?, I'm not sure if the 55 uses the same rad and gearbox set up as the rest of the 211 range because it seems the SL,CL and S wern't affected by this and I guess all cars using this engine have a pretty similar setup?.

 

[flt.eng]

Is the oil cooler mod. a tube that runs along the bottom of the rad.

 

[flt.eng]

For total peace of mind, my advice would be to modify the existing set-up and have a totally stand alone oil cooler fitted, as is the case with the ML...........cap-off the original oil cooler inlet/outlet and then even if the division failed....no problem, you just gain an extra area of engine cooling radiator!!

I have a large dia. pipe running along the bottom/front of the rad. Would this be
the oil cooler mod. (203 w211 320 avantgared) fingers X

 

[Justintyme]

On the subject of radiators leaking coolant into the transmission, was this problem solved before the arrival of the w212 version? or has there been incidents of it still happening, even presently? As I understand it, Valeo radiators were the main cause of the problem, and once their use was discontinued, the problem was solved? So any Merc with Temic radiators fitted would be Ok?

 

[grober]

On the subject of radiators leaking coolant into the transmission, was this problem solved before the arrival of the w212 version? or has there been incidents of it still happening, even presently? As I understand it, Valeo radiators were the main cause of the problem, and once their use was discontinued, the problem was solved? So any Merc with Temic radiators fitted would be Ok?

YES not an issue with the W212

 

[Justintyme]

That's reassuring Graeme. Thanks. I have a minor leak some where in the cooling system ( 2010 W212 E200 CDI Automatic ) and I can't find out where exactly it's leaking from. Its not showing in the engine oil ( at least not yet )I bought the car last January, and check all the levels regularly, and the water level was always spot on, but just last week when driving down a very steep hill, the low level warning appeared on the dash. Driving on the level ground, warning went off. I let it cool down, and when I checked the level it was about 8mm beneath the normal mark. I am now checking it every few days, and it's showing a small loss. I will have exact figures in a week or so. A poster here on the forum has suggested that I get a leak-finder additive, which will react when it comes into contact with the air at the point where it's leaking. It shows as fine crystals which are visible under a special torch which comes with the kit, so when it arrives, I will try it out. But I was worried in case that it might be leaking into the transmission. Thanks for setting my mind at ease on that score. And if you have any other ideas or suggestions about what might be the cause, I would appreciate hearing about it.
Best Regards, Jim.