[Douglas Dees]

I just bought a 1989 560SEL with 50,000 miles ,never seen the snow. I noticed a weeping of rad fluid the first day where the plastic meets the aluminum portion at the top of the rad but it has now disappeared. I think it was leaking from the gasket. This is the original rad. should I repalce the rad. temp id fine and the antifreeze is new.
Doug Dees
Toronto

 

[jhodg5ck]

If it's leaking where the tanks meet the core, yes it needs replacing. What type of coolant is in the car? If it's not Mercedes coolant it Needs to be flushed.

Jonathan

 

[500MPL]

I agree with Jonathan, flush the radiator and fill with MB coolant along with distilled or purified water.

Regards,

 

[cascade]

It was a failing on these cars, when new, the original equipment radiators on the W126ers had unreinforced upper hose necks on the car when new. They tended to disintegrate over time.

I would be done with the problem and put in a replacement Behr radiator (or maybe Nissen). The replacement radiator will have a reinforced upper hose neck, problem solved, permanently.

Consider it a replacement of a consumable item.