Tricky coolant question, 1982 300D - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

boneheaddoctor · #16 12-03-2005, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph69220d

Every morning I stand in front of the mirror for one minute and practice saying, "I don't know". That said, any part of the coolant system will reach a complete mix of anti-freeze/water that is open to the point of where the water or anti-freeze(100%) was added, whether the anti-freeze and water or pre-mixed makes no difference. Problem areas such as the heater core, if the valves to the core were closed, then you have a problem in those areas. I think "diffusion" is the term other's knew, but couldn't get it to come to mind, but, then again, I don't know.

Yes..Diffusion was the word I was trying to come up with.....

300DPETE · #17 12-03-2005, 03:42 PM

Well, I went up to the shop today just to see if I could top off the coolant a bit more and get some of it circulated a bit. Turns out the guy was in on Satruday.

I went home and got my 100 ft. extension cord and plugged into the aftermarket block heater I installed (he was kind enough to run a plug outside his shop).

So, as long as no damage was done Fridayy night/early Saturday morning, I should be okay until Tuesday when I pick it up.

Pete.

P.E.Haiges · #18 12-03-2005, 04:13 PM

Pete,

The antifreeze may not get into the heater core. To be safe, take off the heater hoses and blow the water out. Its a ***** of a job to replace the heater core.

P E H

300DPETE · #19 12-03-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

Pete,

The antifreeze may not get into the heater core. To be safe, take off the heater hoses and blow the water out. Its a ***** of a job to replace the heater core.

P E H

The block heater heating up all liquids in the system wouldn't do enough to bring heat to the heating core?

I'm not too crazy about sneaking behind his property on Sunday, but I'll remove the hoses if you feel that having the block heater on isn't sufficient enough to bring heat to the core.

Thanks, Pete.

P.E.Haiges · #20 12-03-2005, 05:40 PM

Pete,

The heater core is inside the car so it may not be heated by the block heater. Are U leaving the block heater on all the time?

The heat from the block heater may not circulate water into the radiator either because of the closed thermostat. Even if it did, the water would cool rapidly in the radiator.

P E H

t walgamuth · #21 12-03-2005, 05:45 PM

the stat should open.

and craig says the off condition of the heater valve is open so i would think it is ok with the heater on.

but hey, it is not my car.

tom w

P.E.Haiges · #22 12-03-2005, 06:13 PM

Pete,

The thermostat will not open from the heat from the block heater. The coolant will never get up to 180*F to open the "stat".

P E H

300DPETE · #23 12-03-2005, 06:34 PM

Ah, man. This sucks.

I'm guessing I'm okay, but maybe not.

I'm leaving it on overnight, so I figure enough heat will transfer (even just by heating the thermostat so coolant (or water as the case may be) will warm on the other side of the thermostat) enough to keep things at least 32 and above at the heater core....but I'm guessing I'm screwed now.

I want the person with my voodoo doll to stop sticking it with needles, please.

Pete.

P.S. I know that the thermostat housing gets hot to the touch after the block heater has been on for a while, so wouldn't this transfer heat to the other side of the thermostat, whether or not it opens up? (it is metal, after all).

P.E.Haiges · #24 12-03-2005, 06:46 PM

PETE,

I should have thought of this before: Cover the engine and radiator (under the hood) with a heavy blanket or quilt or two. Then the block heater will keep the radiator from freezing.

P E H

300DPETE · #25 12-03-2005, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

PETE,

I should have thought of this before: Cover the engine and radiator (under the hood) with a heavy blanket or quilt or two. Then the block heater will keep the radiator from freezing.

P E H

Good idea. I don't think I need to cover the radiator (the block heater is installed in the hose between the thermostat and the lower connection o the radiator), but I'll cover the engine and hopefully that will send enough heat back to the heater core.

Thanks,

Pete.

P.E.Haiges · #26 12-03-2005, 07:24 PM

PETE<

Why take a chance, cover the radiator. You might also cover the air intake to keep cold air from going down into the heater core and any warm air out from going out.

P E H

300DPETE · #27 12-03-2005, 08:41 PM

Good point.

Pete.

#28 12-03-2005, 08:59 PM

I'm confused

why you are concerned about the radiator, I thought you drained it and refilled with a 50/50 mix. There shouldn't be any pure water trapped in the radiator, should there. It sounds to me like the only potential problem is the heater core. Last time I filled mine, I filled the radiator and the upper hose and I also used a funnel to fill through the heater hose at the mono valve. The idea was to put some 50/50 mixture directly into the heater core. Also, I believe the monovalve will be open with the car turned off. Hopefully, the block heater will cause enough natural circulation through the heater core to dilute the water with antifreeze. It doesn't take much antifreeze unless it gets very cold.

300DPETE · #29 12-03-2005, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I'm confused

why you are concerned about the radiator, I thought you drained it and refilled with a 50/50 mix. There shouldn't be any pure water trapped in the radiator, should there. It sounds to me like the only potential problem is the heater core. Last time I filled mine, I filled the radiator and the upper hose and I also used a funnel to fill through the heater hose at the mono valve. The idea was to put some 50/50 mixture directly into the heater core. Also, I believe the monovalve will be open with the car turned off. Hopefully, the block heater will cause enough natural circulation through the heater core to dilute the water with antifreeze. It doesn't take much antifreeze unless it gets very cold.

Yeah, I was a little confused about the radiator comment as well. It's full of coolant and hot. However, I guess if it's covered, it will heat up even more and send heat back to the engine.

Pete.

P.S. Good idea about filling at the monovalve. I wish I'd thought of it went I went up there today and topped off the overflow container with a 55/45 mix.

#30 12-03-2005, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300DPETE

Yeah, I was a little confused about the radiator comment as well. It's full of coolant and hot. However, I guess if it's covered, it will heat up even more and send heat back to the engine.

Pete.

P.S. Good idea about filling at the monovalve. I wish I'd thought of it went I went up there today and topped off the overflow container with a 55/45 mix.

I wouldn't lose any more sleep over this. I think you'll be OK.