Mercedes-Benz W211 E-Class Radiator Replacement

Automobile radiators are made out of a core of linked narrow passages connected via two side tanks. The core is metal and made of stacked layers, pressed and soldered together to form channels. Traditionally radiators were made of brass or copper cores and attached to brass side tanks. Radiators in today&vehicles are made of aluminum cores attached to plastic side tanks. This keeps cost down and saves weight. In automobiles with a liquid-cooled engine, a radiator is connected to passages in the engine where liquid coolant is pumped through via a water pump. This liquid is a mixture of water and glycol (to prevent freezing). The radiator cols the engine by transferring the heat from the fluid inside the engine to the outside air. Radiators are also used to cool transmission and power steering fluids. When a radiator begins to fail, you¬ice that the car tends to overheat at high engine speed, such as driving on the highway. When you accelerate, the engine temperature will rise, when you idle the engine it will return to normal range. Now, this is not always indicative of a failing radiator, but a good starting point. Of course there are also leaks that occur at the side tanks of the radiator and the plastic side tanks can crack, causing major loss of engine coolant. You will have to remove the electric cooling fan to replace the radiator. These cooling fans are troublesome. I would suggest replacing it while you have it out. Inspect both radiator hoses and replace if...