Bad news ! 2000 MB E430 Radiator Leak

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HTSS_TR

Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
19,525
Location
Lake Forest, CA
My 2000 139k miles E430 developed a leak near the inlet neck. First I thought that leak was from the hose, tried several clamps but it didn't stop it. Tried Bars stop leak but it didn't fix it, the leak is getting worse by the day.

Need to buy a new radiator, not sure about the brand name Nissens avaulable on Rockauto for $200 shipped after 5% discount code.

There are 3 brands available on Amazon. Nissens, Hella and Spectra Premium.

The OEM is Behr, I didn't price it at dealer yet, but my guess is no less than $500 + tax.

According to Frugalmechanic.com, Behr and Hella are the same, it lists:
Behr Hella Service Radiator; 1999-2002 Mercedes-Benz E430
Part Number(s): W01331717901, W0133-1717901, W01331717901BEH, BEH1717901

Which one should I get ?
 
Looking at dparm's first post, it doesn't sound as though this will hurt too badly.
New hoses and a new thermostat would probably be good PM, while you're at it.
 
I have had good luck with Spectra premium parts. Many are Made in Canada and are good quality. Hella should be good going by the brand name but i have never used them, i did use a Nissens on a Toyota and wasn't pleased with the fit.
 
If the radiator is failing, the rest of the cooling system is probably getting close. I would replace anything/everything that is economically feasible.

So, I would do the radiator, water pump, all hoses, belts, belt tensioner, cap, thermostat and whatever else you have the time and money for.

And stay with the OE part, there's no guarantee that the aftermarket stuff has the same shot at lasting just as long. The so-called "OEM stuff" from world pac is not always the same, even if it is the same supplier.
 
^ Agreed. Sometimes they have fewer cooling fins or sub-par internals. You see this a lot with the $20 generic brake rotors (veins spaced wrong, too few, etc).
 
It does not follow that a rad leak indicates that everything else you've listed is in need of replacement.
I'd probably do the hoses and the thermostat, but I'd only replace the rest should their condition warrant it.
A new rad normally comes with a new cap, or at least the couple I've had to buy over the years did.
I'd also check some Mercedes enthusiast forums for advice on parts quality and price.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
If the radiator is failing, the rest of the cooling system is probably getting close. I would replace anything/everything that is economically feasible.

So, I would do the radiator, water pump, all hoses, belts, belt tensioner, cap, thermostat and whatever else you have the time and money for.

And stay with the OE part, there's no guarantee that the aftermarket stuff has the same shot at lasting just as long. The so-called "OEM stuff" from world pac is not always the same, even if it is the same supplier.

I wouldn't replace everything, but I would replace all the plastic junk that the cooling system has in it.

Who's idea was it to put plastic parts in the cooling system?
 
FWIW, RM European has the Behr for about $282. You might also check AutohausAZ, between these two places I get most all of my aftermarket parts for the BMW.
 
I called my trusted mechanic, somehow he has been able to get BEHR radiator which is OEM part on the car, without the MB tri-star logo, for $270 tax included. It will be delivered on Monday.

I have Gate upper hose, new CTB spring clamps and screw type, Wahler thermostat I bought a month ago. When I had my car there for some works, I asked for inspection of cooling parts such as Belt, Tensioner, lower and upper hoses, various heater hoses ... He check everything and said all were in good shape and no need to replace anything. He could not check the thermostat or water pump but said if coolant temp is above 180-185F and below 200F most of the times then it's working well, no need to replace even they are 12 years old and almost 140k miles.

But I may just replace the thermostat and upper hose this time, because while taking the old radiator out removing the upper hose and thermostat is only few minutes and I already have the parts so why not replace these 2, plus bought a gallon of Zerex G05 concentrate from Car Quest for $16.xx + tax because NAPA closed on weekend. The total parts and labor is less than $500.

If anyone is in So Cal and need MB parts, avoid Fletcher Jones. They wants more than MSRP for most parts, they quoted me $599 + Tax for OEM radiator(with MB logo). They said this is only OEM part, without MB logo it is not OEM part even if it is made by the same company such as BEHR, and it is lesser quality than OEM part.
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Simple fix that is easy to do.

May be to you because you are mechanical inclined.

I looked at the radiator and the surrounding area, there are many parts are need to remove to replace the radiator, the job is beyond my ability. I rather pay $100 labor than screw up and have to have the car tow(which can cost more than $100) and more parts are needed to replace than the radiator alone.

I know how good(or not good) I am in working on a car, I will do what I can but I will not try something that I'm not sure I can handle it.
 
You are a wise man.
If you can't do a job, find somebody who can.
I rarely have work done, but when I feel I have to, it's worth it.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I called my trusted mechanic, somehow he has been able to get BEHR radiator which is OEM part on the car, without the MB tri-star logo, for $270 tax included. It will be delivered on Monday.

I have Gate upper hose, new CTB spring clamps and screw type, Wahler thermostat I bought a month ago. When I had my car there for some works, I asked for inspection of cooling parts such as Belt, Tensioner, lower and upper hoses, various heater hoses ... He check everything and said all were in good shape and no need to replace anything. He could not check the thermostat or water pump but said if coolant temp is above 180-185F and below 200F most of the times then it's working well, no need to replace even they are 12 years old and almost 140k miles.

But I may just replace the thermostat and upper hose this time, because while taking the old radiator out removing the upper hose and thermostat is only few minutes and I already have the parts so why not replace these 2, plus bought a gallon of Zerex G05 concentrate from Car Quest for $16.xx + tax because NAPA closed on weekend. The total parts and labor is less than $500.

If anyone is in So Cal and need MB parts, avoid Fletcher Jones. They wants more than MSRP for most parts, they quoted me $599 + Tax for OEM radiator(with MB logo). They said this is only OEM part, without MB logo it is not OEM part even if it is made by the same company such as BEHR, and it is lesser quality than OEM part.


Ya IMC has the Behr one with the OEM number for around 240, but you have to be a shop to buy from them.
 
Well, I'm jumpin' in here late but, I have had mild/reasonable success using J-B Weld on the neck or seam of a radiator(if you can access the area cleanly). And run the vehicle until you're able to find the proper radiator for a specific vehicle and in my price range.

Let cure for 24 hours or longer. The J-B Weld won't last forever but, it's a shot in the dark until the radiator is located.

I have even had the J-B Weld work successfully on the seam of a gas tank for about a year(or a little less). And I didn't even get all of the rust cleaned out properly when I applied the JBW.

And too, I have used the JBW on exhaust parts but, it only last about 6 months. But, it buy you time!
 
Last edited:
Just had the radiator replaced this morning. The neck was broken near the tip(but this is not the source of leak) and there is a long 6-7" crack on the side plastic, which was not possible to see without remove it from the engine.

The Behr radiator is made in Germany, looks identical to OEM missing only MB tristar logo.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Replacement Radiators and cooling capacity
Replies
11
Views
3K
artificialist
M
BMW radiator leak and recommended replacements?
2
Replies
33
Views
6K
Andyd95
H
  • Locked
Hose clamp: US vs China
Replies
12
Views
8K
mongo161
M
Lessons Learned... or, how I discovered Bar's Stop Leak and what I used to fix the brand new heater core it clogged up.
2
Replies
35
Views
56K
andyd
G
  • Locked
w116 300sd Radiator Hose
Replies
5
Views
2K
Gito
Back
Top Bottom