E270cdi gearbox damage - radiator coolant contamination.

[xavierx]

Electrics .... no problem.....

Mechanics ....... It's all lots of silver bits connected by pipes ...... No idea what the cooler looks like. This car seems to have about 18 radiators :lol:

 

[david arthur]

Hi Guys,

Well today i received the bill for replacing my valeo Radiator, 2 month after fitting.

The price including long life antifreeze, & vat, £417.82 that's a bit different to the £1,200p that Mercedes Nottingham wanted. My Indy who did the job, is Brook Motor Engineers telephone Nottingham 0115-9505900

You can imagine, i am well pleased with the price and quality of the workmanship.

 

[JCraddock]

I have fallen victim to the Valeo radiator problem too. A 2002 C180, very low17,000 miles on the clock, full MB service history. They are saying I need new gearbox, torque converter and radiator - initial quote around £5,000 although I have got them down somewhat since then. I am fuming and waiting a reply from Mercedes on contribution. Made all the worse in my view because I had a seriously expensive service (>£1,000) done shortly before when the gearbox oil was milky (I was told condensation from radiator) and then 100 miles later total gearbox failure due to glycol in the gearbox. When I immediately said that I wanted to go to manufacturer as the low mileage meant it must be a defect I was told they didn't know why it had happened. I think they were pretty shocked when I did all the research and found out about the valeo radiators and confronted them and told them that of course they must have known what the cause was. Think they thought they could pull the wool over my eyes as I am a female who clearly knows nothing about cars! Waiting to hear from head office after writing to them. If I can't get any joy is there anyone out there (south west london) interested in working on or buying my car?

 

[television]

Ouch first I will say welcome,, Can I query the bit where you say total failure

 

[JCraddock]

Thanks. They have told me that there is glycol in the gearbox oil casued by coolant leaking from the radiator and that I need a completely new gearbox - it's an automatic. Don't know if that makes any sense? In essence, the car started fine but when you got to about 10mph it sort of jumped - I don't think the car itself moved but my body was thrown forwards; then on stopping the same thing happened after the car had come to a complete stop and my body was thrown forward.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

If you get no substantial contribution I would find a reputable indie to do your work and diagnose it properly.

The first thing I would suggest is have the oil and filter changed and flush the system through completely. First to see if you have any chunks of gearbox in the sump and secondly if the fault improves/goes with fresh oil in the system. If so chances are you may just need a new rad, TC and flush.

You can get a very good patent radiator from Euro Car Parts for about £200. A Recon Torque convertor for around £300 and if required a gearbox overhaul for around £700. Add £80 for oil and filter and around £450 labour and and you have a much cheaper but just the same repair.

 

[television]

Now that is a nice sensible post above

 

[nujon]

I have an 02 W203 220 CDI - the radiator looks to be Valeo - but the VIN (203.062...) is not on the list of the MB star bulletin covering the problem - does this mean I won't have a problem in future?

 

[television]

I have an 02 W203 220 CDI - the radiator looks to be Valeo - but the VIN (203.062...) is not on the list of the MB star bulletin covering the problem - does this mean I won't have a problem in future?

It is not the VIN that determines this , it is the engine number

 

[nujon]

Thanks Television - the bulletin and other info sites (e.g. Honest John) quote re. problem vehicles, a number of the format W203.040... or 061... or 064... - surely these are the first part of VIN numbers?

 

[Alex Crow]

203062 ? sure that is not 203006 ?

 

[nujon]

Some data sources cite e.g. 203.040.... number format, others 2030040... number format - the latter is clearly more VINish - don't know if the former format means anything different

 

[JCraddock]

Thanks for your advice. One quick question. Based on what I have said about the gearbox oil being milky at the time of the service do you think the garage (an MB garage) should have known that the valeo radiator issue was bubbling surface and advised a new radiator at that stage? Thanks.

 

[television]

MB have have known about it since 05 at least as that was when the info was put out.

There is nothing on the MB sheets of info that say what the cars VIN is,,it all to do with the engine fitted, so do not believe all you read on the net, but saying that the only C class not affected is the 270 with engine 612.992.

Engines affected are 111,112,271,611, 612.990 and 646

 

[physio1965]

Hi, will be hopefully purchasing mercedes E220 2003 advantgarde tomorrow - vin number is W2112062A33787, Engine 64696130078804. From posts and star bulliten, it appears this one does not have Valeo radiator. Just interested if anyone knows if I am correct or not? This may change asking price or stop me purchasing car. Many thanks for your input.

 

[Richard Elliot]

The best way is to look at the radiator! It should have the make clearly visible, and if it isn't a valeo and drives OK, you should be alright.

 

[physio1965]

Many thanks, will bring pictures of Valeo and Behr to sale and compare, if Valeo should I walk away even if rest of car OK? Do all valeo rads on these effected models become faulty?

 

[television]

This is a dead subject now days with only 1 post in the last 12 months,if its been fine till now then do not worry, you would be better off finding out if the SBC pump has been changed

 

[physio1965]

Many thanks for your input, will check if SBC pump has been changed.

 

[Alex Crow]

My thoughts as Malcolms, many cars that would have had Valeo problems have had them sorted - this does not come up as often as it did.

And the same with SBC - it used to be free and we said don't worry about it, now it costs a fortune and will definitely come up one day...