124/E280 Top radiator elbow popped itself off today!

[PINBALL]

After driving merrily along for about 15 miles, the coolant level warning lamp lit.
Pulled into layby, popped the bonnet & saw that black plastic elbow that just push clips onto top of radiator had popped itself off!
This elbow forms part of header feed tank (connected by 4-5 feet 1/2" tube) to radiator top right side corner.

This is 2nd time this has occurred, (once before in August returning from a local shopping trip). Managed to get to a garage 5 miles later without temperature needle moving from normal position of bang on 1/2 way on guage.
Is this a weak point on these radiators & will I cure problem by renewing tubing connector on top, or will I have to replace radiator as well.

With average everyday temperature at '-2' freezing, I dropped in a 1 litre bottle anti-freeze & topped up with a couple more pints of water into header tank only.

Any ideas what maybe causing this to happen please?

BTW drove up n down to Birmingham last week - a 350 miles round trip without any problem.

Header tank level & oil checked regularly, and water level in header tank never needs topping up - usually - over last 6 month's.

Kind regards & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE IN MERC-LAND.
Keith.

 

[e36bob]

coolant pipe

Pinball,

My wifes e36 suffered slight leakage from that elbow pipe at the top of the rad.
Although it hadnt come out completely, it caused sufficient coolant loss to warrant me checking the level every week. I cleaned the o ring, refitted, and it has been okay since.
I would be interested to find out whether there might be an underlying reason for this, it seems strange that the o ring on the pipe seems to be the only security against its displacement.
Do MB replace the o ring after a number of miles or years as part of the service schedule?

 

[PINBALL]

Thanks e36bob,
Didn't know there WAS an 'O' ring fitted !
Can you tell me how to see it & change or clean it please.

 

[e36bob]

coolant leak

Pinball,
I presume your elbow unit is the same as on my wifes car, so it should have an o ring.
I suggest replacing it with a new one, I will probably do the same when the weather warms up a little.
I didnt look in the stub pipe at the top of the rad, it might have a recess which the o ring sits in.
If there is a recess, give it a good clean, then coat the new o ring with a litle vaseline and refit.I guess you will have to clamp various hoses to reduce coolant loss.
If the problem persists, then there is something else causing the elbow to lift.
Bob

 

[turnipsock]

This happend to me a while back. There is a thread with a picture somewhere.

 

[turnipsock]

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=13145&page=2&highlight=radiator+popped

here you go.

As a temp repair, I removed the O ring and wrapped ptfe tape around plastic, then I put the O ring back on top. It has held ever since and I sill haven't fitted the part that I bought.

 

[PINBALL]

Very nice - Turnip!
Many thanks for your trouble in finding that thread for me.

Have ordered part at dealer who said none in stock, but Brighton have 7 in stock, so it must be a part in regular demand.

Also, an 'O' ring did not show up on seperated parts breakdown, so will have to see if it arrives with elbow next Wednesday.

Will try to post & update on progress, meanwhile, have used a 12" tie wrap around elbow to keep it from happening again.

 

[PINBALL]

update to radiator elbow popping orf on w124

Changed elbow completely & have never had a repeat of that sort again even after 5 yrs or so and some 95,000 miles later.

 

[television]

Changed elbow completely & have never had a repeat of that sort again even after 5 yrs or so and some 95,000 miles later.

95k miles ,is that all

 

[kth286]

i think he means 95,000 miles later - total miles which may be far in excess of this.


whan I first saw that post I bought the parts from dealer for my 124 to carry as spares in boot.

never needed to use and RAD is now on 175,000 miles.

 

[television]

I remember fixing Hanz car for her with that fault