Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class - valeo radiators

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Sun 9 Feb 2014 11:32
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class - valeo radiators - alastair kirk

My car above is a 320 2002.

I recently had a catastrophic failure of my transmission system due to glycol leaking into the oil. I have only recently heard about the valeo radiators. MB of Bath failed to fix the torque converter which they said was causing my problems, returned the car to me with gear selection problems and told me not to drive it as I would do more damage.

Has anyone had similar problems. did you manage to get MB to pay. I would welcome and advice or comment.

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Sun 9 Feb 2014 11:43
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class - valeo radiators - gordonbennet

This is a well known problem, MB will not take any reponsibility for this.

Best solution would be a used gearbox from a ''reputable'' breaker...or contact one or two of the well regarded MB specialist indie workshops to see if they can offer service...ie rebuild your current box themselves...or contact the local auto gearbox worksops as listed on www.fedauto.co.uk/ for advice.

MB dealer is the most expensive course.

Bit late now for research, but the two very good independant MB owners forums would be a good place to get better advice of how to fix it as cheaply as possible and for indy recommends, still a lovely car well worth putting right.

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Sun 9 Feb 2014 14:00
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class - valeo radiators - pd

As commented above, a common problem on 2002-2005 Mercedes. Most common on the E-Class but can effect other models.

You'll get nowhere with Mercedes I'm afraid.

You'll need to have the gearbox and torque convertor refurbished. This will be in the region of £1500-£2000 depending on who does it. On top of that you'll also obviously need a new radiator to stop it happening again.

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Mon 10 Feb 2014 15:38
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class - valeo radiators - SteveLee

Those fabulous German engineers even defy science managing to make oil and water mix.

Thia fault was very common with CLKs and has been known about for years - I would be very surprised if it's not mentioned in HJ's car-by-car guide.

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Mon 10 Feb 2014 16:34
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class - valeo radiators - RT

Those fabulous German engineers even defy science managing to make oil and water mix.

Thia fault was very common with CLKs and has been known about for years - I would be very surprised if it's not mentioned in HJ's car-by-car guide.

It also occurred on Toyota Landcruisers.

It's likely to happen to any automatic with ineffective anti-freeze, more properly known as coolant corrosion inhibitor, as most modern automatics have a cooler pipe in the radiator "bottom" tank.

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Tue 11 Feb 2014 09:27
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class - valeo radiators - pd

Those fabulous German engineers even defy science managing to make oil and water mix.

Thia fault was very common with CLKs and has been known about for years - I would be very surprised if it's not mentioned in HJ's car-by-car guide.

It also occurred on Toyota Landcruisers.

It's likely to happen to any automatic with ineffective anti-freeze, more properly known as coolant corrosion inhibitor, as most modern automatics have a cooler pipe in the radiator "bottom" tank.

There is a specific problem with the Mercedes ones, I can't remember the exact combination but basically they are made out of two materials and where they join the join fails and the transmission fluid and anti-freeze mix.

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