Plastic top split on my 1999 E250 radiator a few days ago. It's my work truck so gotta get some things done. New one in a few days.

Cleaned it up, light sanding. Left side is Weld-Do epoxy putty in a roll - right side is JB Weld.

Only losing about a cup or two a day. Keeping an eye on the water temp with my ELM 327 and Android phone and the dash gauge too.

When I refill - what is this about using distilled or ionized water ?

Also my new 10 ply E tires....

 

I'm amazed that holds. The rad on my 97 5.4 E250 did that when my fan clutch quit on a 100 day in traffic. Top tank split left to right.

 

Pretty sure there's nothing that JB-Weld won't do, at least long enough to get ya to the parts store.

 

From what I understand it is that distilled water is supposed to keep mineral deposits down and keep the cooling system from overheating. I also hear that distilled water ravages the water jacket looking to replace natural minerals. That is what is out there.

 

The aluminium radiator people insist on it, will void warranty otherwise apparently. Admittedly it seems a little farfetched - there's all kinds of scale and rust in an iron block, or soon will be.

It may have something to do with dissimilar metals and their reactivity in the presence of an electrolyte. This is what makes up a battery i.e. corrosion. It would also seem an aluminium radiator would require a different coolant base as well, but that isn't strictly true, so I'm just spitballin'. But if they tell me to do it, I'll spend the extra $2

 

Nice tires. Funny, My 1999 E350 has the old style stainless hubcaps. Wonder when they made the switch.

 

I had those hub caps. The wheel covers are from Ebay $45 delivered. They are plastic.
I think they look pretty good.

 

Put in new radiator today. Thanks for your support here.

 

Pretty Fancy!