Valeo idenitifcation on W211

[greggster]

Hi all, sorry to bring this matter up again, i know it had been done to death before now, however all of the useful previous posts are quite old and the links to the information are no longer valid, so i hope you can help me. I have a W211 registered on september 2003.

First question, does anyone have the definitive list of affected cars? If so can they explain what all the numbers mean?

Secondly, here's a picture of my rad. What is the lower smaller rad in front of the main one, as this has a Behr sticker on it;

 

[greggster]

To assist a little, this old post by PCS shows, what i think, is the definitive list;

E-Class 211271722***E-Class 211647722***CLK 209112.955722.618***CLK 209112.912722.696***CLK 209271722***C Class 203646722***C Class 203612.990****C Class 203111722.616***C Class 203112722.668***C Class 203112722.618***C Class 203112722.696***C Class 203112722.667***C Class 203271722.695***211.226648.961722.626***211.026648 .961722.626***211.028628.961722.639***211.276113.9 90722.643***211.076113.990722.643***211.283113.969 722.672***211.083113.969722.672***211.270113.96772 2.901***211.070113.967722.901***211.070113.967722. 633***209.375113.968722.633***209.475113.968722.63 3***
This shows all the chassis numbers that are affected too.

Q - is this the definitive list, and if so am i reading my vin correctly and it is not included in the affected ones. My vin is 2112262A396***

 

[Satch]

That is your intercooler.

What you can see in the picture is not the engine radiator but the aircon heat exchanger. main radiator is behind it.

Loopy thing in front is cooler for power steering (you will have Parametric steering on your AG model btw)

Have to poke around underneath to see if you have a Valeo

 

[greggster]

whats Paremetric steering?

 

[Druk]

I have a 211 built sept 03 but registered nov 03. Very similar vin to yours. WDB2112262A437***. It had a new rad/gearbox plate/flush in 05 cos of the Valeo problem. The replacement rad is reputed to be identifiable by a white dot. F*****d if I can find it

 

[greggster]

was that a warranty replacement? if not did it cost a lot if you don't mind me asking?

i agree, trying to locate any of the crimping methods, white dots etc is pretty much impossible unless you're a fully trained mechanic i guess!

 

[Druk]

Gregg.
It was done under warranty and in the care of the previous owner, so no cost. I 'obtained' the gen from Merc . The previous owner was non-personna-grata at the business number I tried to get him at so no other info. The suspect crimps are internal and not for checking either way. The white dot is supposed to be on the bottom of the plastic side tank and only visible with the undertrays and intercooler removed. Been there - done that - still couldn't find it. I did have a yellow dot though. Maybe they'd run out of white paint.

 

[greggster]

can anyone tell me what the numbers on my VIN mean?

 

[gbjeppm]

Stick your VIN in here, should help

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

 

[greggster]

thanks, i had tried that and it gave me lots of useful info, but doesn't help me understand the chassis number against the valeo "problem list". Here's the info anyway - lower front seat sounds interesting?

VINWDB2112262A396600ModelE 320 CDIChassis2112262A396600Engine648961 30 041876Transmission722626 04 776431Order0 3 537 54489Delivery date08.09.03DealerGreat Britain (537) Interiorleather anthracite (831) Paint744brilliant silver metallic (с 1991)OptionsM32capacity 3,2 liter (с 02.10.1995)
U15Unknown codeU16Unknown code06NUnknown code07NUnknown code213parameter steering (с 01.07.1989)
241left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
249automatically dipping inside rear view mirror (с 01.06.1990)
275front seat positioned lower
memory package (driver's seat, steering column, mirror) (с 01.10.1993)
280steering wheel (400 mm dia.) and gearshift lever in leather trim; on W202 390 mm dia. (с 01.05.1984)
287ski inboard loading facility
through-loading feature (с 01.10.1990)
354antenna on roof centre rear for mobile D-net telephone
antenna on roof centre rear for standard D-net telephone (с 01.10.1994)
382Unknown code401comfort front seats with ventilation and seat heaters (с 01.01.1996)
4235 speed automatic transmission / nag (с 01.03.1994)
461instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
500outside rear view mirror left and right, folding (с 01.10.1993)
543sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
551anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
618halogen lamp unit with high beam/low beam/fog light (r.h. traffic) (с 01.04.1970)
690blue heat-insulating glass all round, rear window (laminated safety glass) (с 01.10.1995)
744UUnknown code804Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
830AUnknown code831AUnknown code875heated screen wash system (с 01.02.1988)
windshield washer heated (W201)
882passenger compartment protection/towing-off protection (with anti-theft warning system only) (с 01.07.1993)
91014V/65A alternator
alternator with increased capacity (с 01.11.1990)
915fuel tank, 70 liter (с 01.05.1988)
954equipment package for avantgarde vehicles (с 01.06.1993)
rotating emergeny flasher, front (red light)
984elimination of ownership certificate but with coc papers (с 01.06.1993)
989identification label under windshield (с 01.10.1997)
205BUnknown code221BUnknown code250BUnknown code5XXLUnknown code537LUnknown codeVINWDB2112262A396600ModelE 320 CDIChassis2112262A396600Engine648961 30 041876Transmission722626 04 776431Order0 3 537 54489Delivery date08.09.03DealerGreat Britain (537) Interiorleather anthracite (831) Paint744brilliant silver metallic (с 1991)OptionsM32capacity 3,2 liter (с 02.10.1995)
U15Unknown codeU16Unknown code06NUnknown code07NUnknown code213parameter steering (с 01.07.1989)
241left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
249automatically dipping inside rear view mirror (с 01.06.1990)
275front seat positioned lower
memory package (driver's seat, steering column, mirror) (с 01.10.1993)
280steering wheel (400 mm dia.) and gearshift lever in leather trim; on W202 390 mm dia. (с 01.05.1984)
287ski inboard loading facility
through-loading feature (с 01.10.1990)
354antenna on roof centre rear for mobile D-net telephone
antenna on roof centre rear for standard D-net telephone (с 01.10.1994)
382Unknown code401comfort front seats with ventilation and seat heaters (с 01.01.1996)
4235 speed automatic transmission / nag (с 01.03.1994)
461instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
500outside rear view mirror left and right, folding (с 01.10.1993)
543sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
551anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
618halogen lamp unit with high beam/low beam/fog light (r.h. traffic) (с 01.04.1970)
690blue heat-insulating glass all round, rear window (laminated safety glass) (с 01.10.1995)
744UUnknown code804Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
830AUnknown code831AUnknown code875heated screen wash system (с 01.02.1988)
windshield washer heated (W201)
882passenger compartment protection/towing-off protection (with anti-theft warning system only) (с 01.07.1993)
91014V/65A alternator
alternator with increased capacity (с 01.11.1990)
915fuel tank, 70 liter (с 01.05.1988)
954equipment package for avantgarde vehicles (с 01.06.1993)
rotating emergeny flasher, front (red light)
984elimination of ownership certificate but with coc papers (с 01.06.1993)
989identification label under windshield (с 01.10.1997)
205BUnknown code221BUnknown code250BUnknown code5XXLUnknown code537LUnknown code

 

[gbjeppm]

So you have a 211 with the 648 engine and the 722.6 gearbox, with a build date of 09/2003.

Which suggests to me that it could well have the Valeo rad problem, I don't think it is possible to be more definitive than that.

You need to get the rad checked, and personally for the sake of a couple of hundred quid change the rad.

I also heard that there may be another option to add another intercooler into the existing pipework, don't know any more than that, and somebody more knowledgeable than me can comment on its feasibility.

 

[Ratz]

Having been a victim of the valeo rad issue just before Xmas I would VERY strongly advise you get it checked out.

For the record the repair cost from Mercedes is just in excess of £5900 and in my case MB refused to give a penny towards it.

 

[renault12ts]

whats Paremetric steering?

Item 213 on your VIN list. It is speed related power steering found in heavy avantgarde diesels . Believe me your steering at city speeds is lighter than an A class. I have it. Finger tip light!! But at speed it weights up.

 

[greggster]

So you have a 211 with the 648 engine and the 722.6 gearbox, with a build date of 09/2003.

Which suggests to me that it could well have the Valeo rad problem, I don't think it is possible to be more definitive than that.
quote]

thanks for your response, but how do you come to that conclusion? Can you refer me to the list that highlights the above numbers being in the risk category? (I'm not trying to prove to myself that its not at risk, but PCS were talking £800 ish for a new rad and i want to be sure before i take an afternoon off and get the valeo identified before changing it etc, many many thanks)

 

[gbjeppm]

Greg

See this thread from Olly

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=419379&postcount=1

The pertinent part is this, which is quite old, but it does suggest that you are a "possible", and it is worth checking further, as Ratz will confirm.

04-18-2005

Validity​

Model series 203 up to production date 9/2003 with M111/271/112/OM646/OM611/612.990 and automatic transmission 722.6
Model series 209 up to production date 9/2003 with M271/112/113/OM612 and automatic transmission 722.6

Model series 211 up to production date 9/2003 with M271/113/OM628/647/648 and automatic transmission 722.6

Reason for change​

 

[greggster]

perfect, thank you for your patience with me, the "hocus pocus" of the valeo rad issue is unveiling itself! I shall book myself first thing tomorrow, thanks again. This goes to show that this forum is a real money saver, thanks.

 

[gbjeppm]

Also I was interested to know why it was so expensive at £800.

211 radiators link here http://www.carcooling.co.uk/catalog/Merc_W211_E_Class_02-837-1.html, so worst case scenario is £200 plus fitting.

Or see this post http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=447330&postcount=8, which referred to an alternative possible solution that I mentioned above.

 

[greggster]

So, for anyone reading this in years to come;

See PCS thread with list of suspect vehicles;

Model series 203 up to production date 9/2003 with M111/271/112/OM646/OM611/612.990 and automatic transmission 722.6

Model series 209 up to production date 9/2003 with M271/112/113/OM612 and automatic transmission 722.6

Model series 211 up to production date 9/2003 with M271/113/OM628/647/648 and automatic transmission 722.6

Then see your vin number;
1. the first three numbers give your vehicle model (the easy bit!) i.e. 211
2. the 7th, 8th & 9th figures on my vin show the transmission without the number 7 i.e. 226 = 722.6 transmission
3. then see your engine number, the first three figures, in my case 648 - this gives you the engine type
4. run like hell to your nearest indie!!

 

[greggster]

Also I was interested to know why it was so expensive at £800.

I spoke to Olly at PCS last saturday and he gave me a very rough verbal estimate of £350 for new rad, 2 hours labour, plus 2 hours to flush the transmission plus fluids etc. I took this as £350 plus £100 fluids and 4 hours labour say at £70 - so more like £700. Now i must state that this was my take on a quick verbal with Olly and in no way does it reflect what he would actually charge, it may be more or less, i do not know without speaking to him again. I do not want to p**s Olly off by mis-quoting him. Hopefully he'll be along to give an exact current price to add another good bit of advice for other "valeo issue lookers" in time to come.

Thanks again

 

[gbjeppm]

Well to be honest if it comes from Olly it will be spot on with Genuine MB parts.

I am still wondering about the option of adding a stand alone oil cooler into the existing system, it must be cheaper and faster, and if you don't currently have the problem, should prevent it.

By the way the reason I am interested in this, is that my dad has as 203 with the same potential issue, but at the moment seems to be OK.