Exploding C180 Radiator!

gavvas

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Hi, I am new to the forum and New to MB ownership, I have owned my 1995 C180 for two months, Took it over to France last week after a service. Today I got stuck in heavy traffic in London when I noticed the temprature gauge start to rise slowly, I started to pull in to let it cool, when there was an almighty explosion ( it shook the whole car and folks were running for cover) from under the bonnet, a huge cloud of steam. I managed to get of the main road and stop. I eventually opened the bonnet which now had several dents on it. There is a black plastic barrel across the top of the Radiator where the radiator cap and sensor is, one end was missing and it was split its entire length, the force had broken the fan housing off with its mounts.
Can anyone tell me if the whole rad needs to be replaced or is the barrel seperate? I will also be looking at replacing the fan hub to prevent a repetition.
My tale is one of warning really, I dread to think what would have happened had it blown like it did when someone was working on it.
thanks
John
 

paulcallender

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The scenario sounds strange, given that there should be a pressure relief cap in the system. If this is missing, then boiling, overpressure and some type of release could occur. But I'd have thought a rubber pipe would have come off at a joint, or split. Maybe the radiator was faults.

As far as I know, the radiator is a single unit so you cannot replace just the top part.
 
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gavvas

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Thanks for your reply Paul, I too was a bit suprised by the fact that the radiator cap hadn't worked, still, its at the garage now and I am sure I will find out soon enough:( and let you know the out come. As I said the most shocking thing was the force with which it went bang, in the day light I see I have about four or five dents in the bonnet, and the fan housing is also bent and cracked. I will try and post some pics if anyone is interested:grin:
regards
John
 
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eamonlaser

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Had the same thing happen to my C180 tonight (something in air this week?) although luckily we didn't have any damage to the car other than the burst radiator.

Anyone got any suggestions where to get a reasonably priced replacement rad, and can I check the operation of the viscous coupling on the fan, or should I just replace it as a matter of course?

Thanks, eamon
 

Mounis

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Your Mercedes
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Still seems odd...

eamonlaser said:
Had the same thing happen to my C180 tonight (something in air this week?) although luckily we didn't have any damage to the car other than the burst radiator.

Anyone got any suggestions where to get a reasonably priced replacement rad, and can I check the operation of the viscous coupling on the fan, or should I just replace it as a matter of course?

Thanks, eamon

To repeat what was said in an earlier response but surely u'd expect a rubber hose to explode, split pop off way before the rad explodes...How odd....

:-(
 
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eamonlaser

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My radiator has been removed and the plastic expansion tank at the top has a large split running along it.

I've replaced it with a new rad and after running the 'carrot test' have also decided to replace the viscous fan. Here's hoping I can get a grip on the pulley to undo the fan!

Check those fan couplings for operation folks!
(Although I would guess that the radiator cap should have let go first, unless the radiator was already faulty...)
 

tjo

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more than often the problem is caused by the bi-metalic strip on front of fan coupling is clogged with dirt which means heat cannot get to it, a quick wipe will solve.wouldchange the cap to, seal sticks to radiator
 

Charlotte001

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Hi I once had an exploding rad on a 1980's Aston Martin. Mine turned out to be a problem with the expansion pipes gunge clogged it so it went bang.

As for a new Rad try Euro Parts.

Charlotte
 


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