Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Radiator Hose Replacement

There are not a lot of radiator hoses on the Mercedes-Benz W203 and a fair amount of room to work on them, which makes inspecting and replacing them an easy DIY job. I recommend inspecting your rubber hoses every two years or so. As they age, they have a tendency to get hard and brittle. When you gently squeeze a hose, it should be relatively soft and easy to indent with your hand. It shouldn't feel like it is brittle or crunching when you squeeze it. It should spring back to its original shape pretty quickly after being compressed. If it feels very hard, then it might be time to replace it. If there is a bulge in the hose, or any type of crack in the surface of the hose, then you should replace it as well. Also check for leaks around where the hoses create their connections; that is a sign that the hose should be replaced. To replace the hoses you will need to remove the two air inlet ducts and the front engine cover. Remove each duct by compressing them towards the engine and slipping them off the air inlet. With the ducts off, remove the front engine cover. It pulls up and away from the engine. The cover is held on by five clips and will easily come off with hand pressure. Next, safely jack up and support your car. With the car safely off the ground, you will need to remove the engine tray. There are six 8mm bolts holding the tray on, the rear two also help hold the transmission tray. If you are going to leave the transmission tray on, remove the rear two bolts first...