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Ouch, broke off 6.9 radiator drain plug

Started by jjccp, 02 July 2019, 06:10 PM

ptashek

It'd be worth checking the fan clutch since it's out in the open now.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

jjccp

Quote from: ptashek on 05 July 2019, 03:49 PM
It'd be worth checking the fan clutch since it's out in the open now.

ptashek, thanks for the tip. I don't know much about the fan clutch. What would I do to check it please?
1977 280 SE
1978 San Juan 23
1979 6.9 #6846

revilla

Different car, but same principle. Engine must be hot.
Hope it helps.
https://youtu.be/I7RBNHCJUU8


rumb

Concerning fan clutch in my opinion if it is over 20 years old then it's worn out.
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

jjccp

I have my radiator back from being repaired and re cored. Hope it fits going back in. Did a dry run and it seems ok.

FYI there are rubber pieces right & left that attach to the radiator and slide down the channel. Mine needed to be re attached because the rubber parts that holds them on decayed long ago. I tacked them on with glue and also had to repair one that broke.
1977 280 SE
1978 San Juan 23
1979 6.9 #6846

Squiggle Dog

For what it's worth, the rubber pieces on the side are super cheap. I think I got mine for $2 each at AutoHausAZ.
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

jjccp

First pic start of radiator on it's way back in. So far so good with just wiggling it down with my body weight.

Now that I'm just an inch or so away from being seated, it's tight AF. Did a little mild tapping with a wood block from on top on the radiator frame and it's not moving. I'm going to go down below and jack it up a bit to see if that frees it up then try to get it to go down again. Side channels and rubber sides are well lubed, fan shroud and fan are free and not binding anywhere that I can see. From below everything looks lined up fine.

Any tips at this point?
1977 280 SE
1978 San Juan 23
1979 6.9 #6846

daantjie

Might be that the rubber buffers on the side have expanded and are binding?
Might be worth it to spring for new buffers.  As mentioned they are cheap as chips.
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

jjccp

Quote from: daantjie on 14 July 2019, 12:55 PM
Might be that the rubber buffers on the side have expanded and are binding?
Might be worth it to spring for new buffers.  As mentioned they are cheap as chips.

Daniel thanks, you are probably right and I may have to try new rubber. I'm going to take it out all the way and look everything over.

1977 280 SE
1978 San Juan 23
1979 6.9 #6846

jjccp

#24
You were right on Daniel and Squiggle Dog . I took it out again and the rubber buffers self destructed and fell apart on both sides while going in. I've order new ones. I'll have to pick this up again when they get here.

One scary thought I'm having is: what if the radiator shop didn't keep the exact size as original? He said he would match it up, but who knows?

Unfortunately, I'm going to be doing a long distance yacht race starting next Saturday and won't be back for 2 weeks. Stay tuned..............
1977 280 SE
1978 San Juan 23
1979 6.9 #6846

Jed

I don't think you'll have a problem with the new rubber supports.  Its supposed to fit snug otherwise it would bounce all over the place.  Curious, did you have the guys in Mt Clemens recore it?

Are you doing the Port Huron to Mackinaw?!!



 
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #5206 - restored
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #6424 - ongoing restoration
1976 Mercedes 6.9 #484 - restoration?

jjccp

Hi Jed,

Yes, I took it to Superior in Mt Clemens. It looks like they did a nice job, thanks for the recommending them.

And yes, I'm doing the Mac race and the delivery back.
1977 280 SE
1978 San Juan 23
1979 6.9 #6846

jjccp

#27
I'm back on dry land and just tried to install the radiator with the new rubber buffers. I got everything well lubricated and it went down to the last 2 inches and it wouldn't budge any further. I jacked it out and discovered that the 2 of the rubber tabs on the new left side buffer broker off. The radiator must have got jammed after the buffer shifted. The right buffer held on and is fine. Is it a cheasy part or is it me? I'm going to see if they'll replace it so I can try again.

If anyone knows any other tricks or what I might be doing wrong, please let me know.
1977 280 SE
1978 San Juan 23
1979 6.9 #6846