Garage Cabinets, Garage Storage, and Garage Organization

Here's a really odd occurance ...

After driving merrily along for about 15 miles, the coolant level warning lamp lit.
Pulled into layby, popped the bonnet (hood) & saw that black plastic elbow that just push clips onto top of radiator had popped itself off!
This elbow forms part of header feed tank (connected by 4-5 feet 1/2" tube) to radiator top right side corner.

This is 2nd time this has occurred, (once before in August returning from a local shopping trip). Managed to get to a garage 5 miles later without temperature needle moving from normal position of bang on 1/2 way on guage.

Is this a weak point on these radiators & will I cure problem by renewing tubing connector on top, or will I have to replace radiator as well.

With average everyday temperature at '-2' freezing, I dropped in a 1 litre bottle anti-freeze & topped up with a couple more pints of water into header tank only.

Any ideas what maybe causing this to happen please?

BTW drove last week - a 350 miles round trip without any problem.

Header tank level & oil checked regularly, and water level in header tank never needs topping up - usually - over last 6 month's.

Kind regards & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE IN MERC-LAND.
Keith.


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1994, E280 Petrol, Auto, 195k miles.