leaks and groans

[Peter 300TE]

Same questions different forum.............

Andy Gayle any thoughts and how much for a new radiator?

I have bought my MB from a neighbour who owned it for many years. Although high mileage (165K) over the past two years it has covered only a couple of thousand miles with a reliable service history (undertaken by his son a Aston Martin mechanic).

However I am niggled by two problems.

1) It loses coolant intermittantly. Have tried rad weld to see if the radiators the problem before spending money on a new radiator however this has not solved the problem.

2) The suspension is very noisy over bumps. Is this normal with the sportsline suspension? The front anti roll bar bushes are slightly worn and the bar appears to be rubbing on the sump guard.

I realise both these problems could be caused by anything however any suggestions for easy hit checks would be greatfully recieved.

Its sad I know but I looked at this car from the day my neighbour bought it and always wanted it, eventually got it and want to enjoy every minute until my wife decides its too small and too much hasle.

Thanks

Peter

 

[Peter 300TE]

went to london did not lose a drop there and back and then overnight the expansion chamber emptied overnight......why?

 

[Rog_E]

Emptied over night because the engine 'really' cooled down (noticed how well they keep their heat?) and the resulting contraction......

Mine does the same

I have read that some 300's have a plastic thermostat housing that is known to cause problems.

They can have hairline cracks that are almost impossible to see, an alloy replacement is available from MB.

I am assuming it is a 300TE (how could your wife consider it too small? I park mine next to my discovery and it doesn't look small!)

HTH

 

[Peter 300TE]

thanks Rog_E its smaller than the Volvo 940 it replaced, or at least thats what she says and I am not going to argue.

 

[Orlando 300E]

Hello Peter,
Try replacing the expansion tank cap -it may not be holding at the correct pressure.
I had "clonking" on mine & it was the front roll bar bushes. Very easy to change.
All the Best
Orlando

 

[kid-jensen]

Peter.

I'd advise doing the anti-roll bar rubbers. Fixed my clonking completely for a tenner (Europarts)

Took about 1/2 hour. The old ones didn't look worn.

 

[Peter 300TE]

Thanks for the sound advice will try both

 

[Andy]

Hi Peter

Off the top of my head I couldnt tell you how much a radiator is . But what I will say is not to buy a spurious one. They last about 18months then leak. Buy one from a dealer or BEHR make or one which has been reconned with a copper core. I would also check the rad cap as a previous contributor has said. If its leaking over night it could be the waterpump. They have a tendency to leak as they are cooling down. Check the undertray for signs of water or look at the side of the engine sump at the front passenger side for water marks. If they are there its almost certainly waterpump.

As for noise from front suspension. It could be anything. With out listening to the noise antiroll bar rubbers would be the first thing I would try as they are the cheapest. With this sort of millage when where the front shocks replaced. They could cause this problem.

But again I am only sumising with listening to the noise.

Good luck


Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Leylandp76]

I seem to recall seeing a radiator on ebay recently. If not you could try Nick Mercedes (nick.mercedes@ntlworld.com) as he has broken a few for parts. I find him very good to deal with.

 

[Orlando 300E]

Hello again Peter,
Can I suggest using new parts -rather than 2nd hand.
Didn?t want to go into details before, but have changed nearly my entire coolant system.
The rad was nearly two-thirds sediment! -Check yours for cold spots/areas when the car is up to running temp.
The first repair was a copper re-core at a specialist to my existing rad -unfortunately, when I got the car back home; I noticed one of the plastic end tanks was cracked & the fitment bodged.
Ended up getting a new one from Euro car parts -seem to remember it being around the £100 mark & fitted it my self.
Using second hand parts can sometimes be cost effective, but I would prefer to go without the grief by avoiding second hand problems
best wishes
Orlando

 

[Peter 300TE]

Have fitted the anti roll bar bushes and now the only thing that is groaning is me. The water is now pooring out as quick as I can fill it via the expansion tank. Am going to follow Andy's advice as I now looks as if its the water pump.

The sump guard is bl***y heavy though.

I agree with the new for old and have a tendency not to buy second hand unless its non essential part, however many thanks for the suggestion and information.

I am sure its just a bit of bad look however I never had this problem with my Volvo's, at least thats what my wife keeps on reminding me.

Keep the faith I say

 

[Peter 300TE]

Leaks only now!

Andy you win I think. The water is now pouring down the passenger side of the block when filled from the expansion tank. :cry:

Having looked at the manual and engine the previous confidence from stripping down engines etc as a 'mere lad' is quickly dissipating. So I will finish with two last questions!

How difficult is it and does anyone know a good mechanic in Oxford as I don't think it is safe to drive without damaging the engine. (The mechanic who did my Volvo's went a lighter shade of pale when I told him about the MB and said he did not work on them!)

Many thanks all

 

[Richard.Wilson]

Looks like you're already sorted, but just out of interest to others.
I have had an on-going battle with the rad on my Range Rover for the last couple of years. Serck Marston did a re-core, and although I have had good luck with them in the past, they seemed to have skimped on the solder, not filled up the well fully. I've had a local guy re-solder it three times so far, and it still leaks every time it cools down. seems the tanks on each side and the core cool at different rates, so it leaks until it evens out. then it's fine 'till you stop again......I just buy concentrated coolant in 25L drums and fill her up every week, those RR rads are realy expensive, nearly £300.
Love to know what the real cause is though.

PS my 230TE is also starting to loose coolant in the last week, just looked under the bonnet and it's in the undertray......oh crap!