280 SE Radiator, replacement?

[carl888]

Looks like the radiator has a small crack along the top seam, where the cooling fins meet the top tank.  Fine hairline fracture.

What the go with these?  I'm tempted to buy a new radiator, not so much for the water cooling side of things, but rather for the transmission oil cooler/heat exchanger mounted internally in the bottom of it.

I've had two friends who've re-cored radiators for these cars before only to have this lower heat exchanger fail internally not long after.  The result of which destroyed the transmission.

[UTn_boy]

I always buy new if they're available.  However, there are two different radiators your car could have depending on VIN.  Up chassis 067292 you would need part number 116-501-10-01, and from chassis number 067293 you would need part number 116-501-19-01. 

Both are still available new from Mercedes.  The first one is around 1,100 Euros, and the second one is around 850 Euros. 

[carl888]

Thanks for the note UTn

Finally got the EPC going again.  Anyway, I asked my local parts supplier of which I have a good relationship,  this is the price for the new radiator:

$3615.00  plus tax  list   Germany

Yikes!

My VIN is 116024 22 023782

Sometimes I get really lost in the EPC, when I'm using the English version, some of the translations from the German are difficult to follow, for me at least.

[carl888]

Hmmmmm:  The price in the USA appears a little less:

$627 USD, about $870 AUD.

Link:

http://www.mbpartsworld.com/p/__/RADIATOR/7822801/1165011001.html

[UTn_boy]

Well, according to your VIN, you've an Australian model, and according to EPC foot notes, your car requires the 116-501-18-01....which is none of the two part numbers I mentioned earlier.  For some reason I though you were in the U.S.  Wholesale shows to be $546 USD, and full list shows to be $745 USD.  If possible, can you not have yours re-cored?  That's all I know to do when they're no longer available. 

[carl888]

This EPC is doing my head in.

Can I ask where the 18-01 part number is found in the footnotes, I can't see it anywhere!

The process I've gone through is to apply the VIN to the field at the top of the window.  Select "Europe" then page 50 for radiator, there are just the two part numbers listed on the version I'm using found on page 3.

Thanks for your help on this, I really would be annoyed should I buy the radiator from the USA and it turns up incorrect.

There would be no issue having mine re-cored, cost about $300 here in Australia.  But if I can get a new one for double I don't mind paying it for the reason that it's the heat exchanger in the bottom that concerns me.

Car is 1974 Australian version 280 SE.  Mechanically it is identical to what was supplied to the UK at the time.  The rot set in post June 1976 with the lower compression engines delivered to Australia.

That 18-01 radiator BTW is even cheaper:  http://www.benzpartsdirect.com/oe-mercedes-benz/1165011801

[UTn_boy]

I think I've been looking up too many parts lately, and have been confusing your car with others.  The 18-01......I can't figure out where I got that number.  Doing another careful search, it seems that your car needs the 10-01 radiator. 

For what it's worth. I've never seen the heat exchanger for the transmission cooler go bad or leak.  I wouldn't worry too much about it.  They're pretty robust.   

[s class]

The trans coolers - likewise I've never seen one fail on a 116/107 with copper radiator.  W126 with plastic tank radiator... that's another story. 

[carl888]

OK, thanks for the advice guys!