Valeo radiator strikes again

[tagnut]

Ok so I knew that I had a Valeo radiator and was planning to replace it soon anyway but..... I took my car in for service, new thermostat and ATF change today, I asked my local Indie to send a sample of the ATF away for a glycol test although I haven't had any symptoms in the car. He rang me back this afternoon to say no need, you can see globules of coolant in the gearbox oil. Guess that means I need to change the radiator now then

On top of this I also need new rear springs (both cracked) and new rear discs and pads. Why is it always in threes

Anyway, hoping I've just caught this in time and that there will be no further repercussions down the line. I don't know if it was just it's time to fail or if the recent cold snap had anything to do with it but would recommend anyone out there that still has one of these on a pre-2004 to get it checked out

 

[jaymanek]

Just make sure the garage do a proper flush of the old ATF otherwise your torque convertor will be affected.

 

[tagnut]

Just make sure the garage do a proper flush of the old ATF otherwise your torque convertor will be affected.

Cheers Jay, yes thanks to all of the amazing information on this forum I knew all the right questions to ask. He's done a few of these before, still deals with the same cars and they haven't had any more issues so I trust him to do a good job.

 

[jpspencer]

Auto fluid change(when)+Valeo issue on 320cdi???

Can anyone tell me when the Valeo Radiators were dropped from production? Does the effect my 2006 E320cdi Spert Auto W211?
Also, is it advisable to change the Auto transmission fluid as I have always done on my previous autos? Is it something an indi can do and what would the likely cost be?
Thanks, Jon..............

 

[jaymanek]

September 2003.

Yes its advisable to do an ATF change at every 50-60K or around 3-4 years IMO.

 

[tagnut]

Is it something an indi can do and what would the likely cost be?
Thanks, Jon..............

Yes any decent indi should be able to do this. Cost around £170. Need to make sure the old ATF is fully flushed through and the filter replaced.

 

[Peter DLM]

M.B.S in Southampton is working on a separate g/box oil cooler kit to remedy this. It'll work out cheaper than a new radiator. The kit will also look OEM.

 

[tagnut]

Bit late for me I'm afraid, new radiator already fitted.

 

[BlackC55]

M.B.S in Southampton is working on a separate g/box oil cooler kit to remedy this. It'll work out cheaper than a new radiator. The kit will also look OEM.

Been done already

 

[tagnut]

All sorted now. Got the car back last night and had a bit of a panic on due some vibration and occasional judder when pulling away.

Turned out to be the handbrake shoes in the new discs being set slightly too tight and binding on. Now sorted.

Saw the ATF they'd taken out - completely black! Don't think this has been changed at all in the past as I can't find any reference to it in the service record (now on 130K)

Also don't think I've ever seen the temperature gauge so high before so suspect it's been running cold for the last year and a half

Also saw the removed rear springs, both broken clean through near bottom and I had no idea . Having checked the service history these were done by MB just 40K miles ago so surprised they have gone again so quickly

Anyway, car is now running fantastic and a big part of that is down to all the information I've picked up since joining this forum. I certainly wouldn't have known about the radiator and ATF so would have probably run it until the torque converter or gearbox was knackered.

So I'd just like to thank all of the knowledgable people who take the time to share their wisdom and experiences on here for the benefit of all. I for one really appreciate it

Cheers,

 

[flt.eng]

g G/B oil cooler mod.

Been done already

Can you give me some details of this mod.

 

[SchwarzesAMG]

I am fitting an auto tranny soon so it would be really helpful is someone can provide a link or a way to order and get our hands on one of these!
I want t o avoid the OEM rad even if the issue has been fixed, i just wanna keep things straight with the trannys oil rad seperate

 

[flt.eng]

MBS southampton have just Emailed me, that they are expecting a batch of there mods. Hopefully ariving this week & will be sending me pictures of it. When I get them ,I will forward them on, to this site

 

[Lockking]

Was the Valeo rad fitted to W208 facelift cars? Cheers all.

 

[OzC36]

Also saw the removed rear springs, both broken clean through near bottom and I had no idea

. Having checked the service history these were done by MB just 40K miles ago so surprised they have gone again so quickly

Hi tagnut,

Pleased to hear your car is happy once again.

With regards to cracked springs, I haven't heard anything about springs cracking on a newish Merc...it doesn't seem right?

Has anyone else noted that this is it a normal failure mode for this car?

 

[JohnDeere8530]

my dad has and august 03 registered c180, I guess this means it has a valeo rad then. Any easy way of telling without removing loads of panels to see ?

 

[tagnut]

Hi tagnut,

Pleased to hear your car is happy once again.

With regards to cracked springs, I haven't heard anything about springs cracking on a newish Merc...it doesn't seem right?

Has anyone else noted that this is it a normal failure mode for this car?

Certainly 40k does seem quick for them to go but I have no idea how the previous owners treated the suspension. I've only done 20K in it since I got it. I also had to change the front springs last year after the nearside one broke. Hopefully won't need to do any of them again for quite a while.

 

[eugekav]

seems like similar problem to me

Hi tagnut,

Pleased to hear your car is happy once again.

With regards to cracked springs, I haven't heard anything about springs cracking on a newish Merc...it doesn't seem right?

Has anyone else noted that this is it a normal failure mode for this car?

yes i had broken rear springs last year the noise esp over sleeping policemen was like the suspension was bottoming out the vovo independant i thimk? he charged me £300.for the springs inc labour that sounded reasonable to me but what do i know?

 

[OzC36]

Thanks tagnut and eugekav for your feedback on your experiences with the cracked springs.

 

[A210AMG]

My Car has a delivery date of 24/10/2003

Full MB service history since then, Have I / culd I have this problem?

a) How much is a new rad
b) How much is the 'kit' to add to existing rad to stop problem?