As I was drigving home this afternoon, I heard a lodu pop in the engine bay and moments later I started to see coolant pouring out from under the car from the rear view mirror. After pulling over and opening up the hood, it looked like the upper radiator hose popped out of the radiator. As I was putting it back on, I realize that the lip to which the hose attaches broke off, leaving half of it in the hose. There's still about 3/4" left on the lip that I was able to attach the hose and drive the car home. Luckily, I was only several miles away.

Has anyone had this experience? Do I have to replace the radiator? I pulled the piece left in the hose and it just crumbled (it's plastic). Is there any posting on replacing 300sel radiators? Is it dificult?. I've replaced a radiator on a Lexus ES300 so I have some experience. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Common problem on the OE plastic side tank radiators with integral hose nipples. After a zillion thermal cycles the plastic crystalizes and breaks.

Check Fastlane for a replacement. I believe the OE replacements have metal reinforced hose nipples, so with a decent coolant replacement schedule the replacement should outlast the original.

Duke

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124Radiator

Different chassis but same idea.

Easy job, but kind of messy. Might as well flush coolant at the same time.

Block drain is on the passenger side of the engine.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Thanks a lot. This is great stuff, with pictures too. I will be doing this little project in a couple weeks after some R&R (vacation). Much appreciated.

This is a great forum with knowledgeable and helpful people.