The dreaded Valeo question......Again !!

[S.Speed]

Hi All,
Next Saturday I pick up a 2003 C270 saloon with 39000 miles and 1 previous owner..
I have read about the dreaded radiator problems and would like to know if there is any way you can make an educated guess if I need to replace / modify the radiator..
My cars details are a follows:
VIN WDC2030162R102140
Model C 270 CDI
Chassis 2030162R102140
Engine 612962 30 231565
Transmission 722640 04 226091
Delivery date 11.03.03

If I need to have it modified my inclination is to have an external transmission fluid cooler fitted rather than have another radiator fitted with water and transmission fluid in one...
What are your views?

Lastly I went to the garage yesterday that is selling the Merc and looked under the bonnet in the radiator area.. To be honest I did not know what I was looking for BUT I did notice a small radiator fitted to the left in front of the main radiator.. I would guess it was about 9 or 10 inches wide by about7 or 8 inches in height..
I am wondering if it has already had some sort of modification..
I shall try to go back today and get some photos if it will be of interest..
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Simon

 

[television]

I did receive your PM but there is nothing wrong in putting up the details here as all of the VIN details are in the front windscreen.

Ignoring all of the valeo points, i would have gone for one just that bit later as they were galvanized from 30-03-03 and you will not get any rust issues. A few cars were done before this date but we do not know what ones.

The Valeo issue ran til 09-03 and fitting a separate fluid cooler is a good way around it to be sure.

The car could have a Behr rad and these are all clear with no leaks,if it is fitted with one the name Behr will be on it

 

[S.Speed]

Thanks Malcom for that..
I have been all over the car and truthfully cannot find any rust anywhere at all...
OK I know the garage will have tarted it up and polished it but I looked for tell tale rust signs in broad daylight on a sunny day..
Assuming it has NOT been galvanised then which areas should I be looking at for rust?
Thanks for your input..
S.

 

[nickcc101]

Sounds like your "small rad" is for the aircon. New rad will cost about £130 (northern radiators website) and not to difficult to fit.

 

[television]

The rear wheel arches on the inside edges would be the first tell tale signs, the car could be galvanized as the process was started some months before.

 

[Celtic pride]

Hi Malcolm,

Can you advise me? I have a 2003 CLK 200k, according to the Russian VIN database, delivered on 20.05.03. Is there some way Ican establish the build date - it has the Valeo rad.

 

[television]

All I know is that a label, that is a white circle is stuck on top of the oil cooler section, I do not know if this was for replacement only or for production.

If it was my car I would fit a separate oil cooler

 

[carabind]

I'd get it along to an idie and ask them. They will know exactly what to look for
There are a couple in the NW if you search the posts

 

[television]

I'd get it along to an idie and ask them. They will know exactly what to look for
There are a couple in the NW if you search the posts

In view of the things that have come up from these Valeo post, that is the best thing top do, and it will be the only recommendation that comes out of me

 

[toby_tobias]

Having been through the same angst, My local indy pointed out that although the valeo radiators do have problems from time to time, by far and away the majority of valeo rads are absolutely fine.

If your really worried don't buy that car and use the money you would have spent on uprating the radioator on a 2004 car instead which all have behr rads and be galvinzed.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Having been through the same angst, My local indy pointed out that although the valeo radiators do have problems from time to time, by far and away the majority of valeo rads are absolutely fine. But there is no way of telling which will and which won't.

If your really worried don't buy that car and use the money you would have spent on uprating the radioator on a 2004 car instead which all have behr rads and be galvinzed. - So, if the arithmetic works, good advice!

Quite agree.

 

[Razoo]

<snip> If your really worried don't buy that car and use the money you would have spent on uprating the radiator on a 2004 car instead which all have behr rads and be galvanised.

Except not all 2004 cars do have a Behr radiator fitted.

My E320 CDi (build date June 2004) rather worryingly has the infamous French Valeo radiator, although (allegedly) it is a modified/improved version introduced to address the 'glycol in the transmission oil' issue.

Razoo

 

[STUCK]

Just spent $1200 on transmission problem and am back to where I started. I had a problem with the C240 shifting out of low gear. Took it and had a line that goes from the transmission to the computer changed and a new shifter selector replaced.

Now I am not shifting at all and had it towed to the dealer and am told that the Transmission needs to be flushed, radiator replaced and if that doesn't fix the problem $1450 that they consider replacing the torque converter also. I am flat broke after jsut loosing my business and my wife just started a part time job. Cannot afford to give these big shot any money that I do not have. PLEASEEE HELP!

 

[television]

Something not right here, the valeo problem has never affected the gearbox from changing gear ever, the electronic plate causes that problem 99% of the time where the transmission is stuck in a low gear