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#1
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Long Term Effects of Breathing Anti-Freeze
I have a 1983 Mercedes 240D that has developed a slight coolant leak in the heater core. I tried all the radiator "stop leak" products and even black pepper, which I was told by an old school mechanic would "definately" work. I still have the leak and a strong sweet smell of antifreeze whenever the heat is on.
I have been told that replacing the heater core is a MAJOR job. Not sure what to do, but until I decide are their any health consequences to breathing anti-freeze? I have a 1.5 hour commute every morning and by the time I get to work, my eyes really burn.
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1999 E300 Turbo - 112K miles 1987 300D Turbo - 89K miles 1984 190D 5spd - 152K miles 1969 220D Auto - 170K miles |
#2
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according to batman comics, I believe it will cause you to require a containment suit, and a liquid nitrogen system to keep you alive... other than that I have no experience with medical interactions of the vapors.
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#3
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Depends on the type of anifreeze that you are exposed to. Maybe you should use the Low Toxicity type!!!
A search for "MSDS" and "antifreeze" will provide additional information. |
#4
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Yes, its bad!
It is a lot of work to replace the heater core, no doubt. A weekend more or less. But, there is a step by step guide posted in this site: http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123Evaporator That will get you right down to the heater core, I dont know if there any specifics to replacing it once you have the whole evaporator box out and apart. dd
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------------------------------- '85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit) '82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car '83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car |
#5
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You don't say where you live, so I don't know if your daily temperatures would permit it, but it's pretty simply to bypass the heater core.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#6
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If you drink it, you die a painful death. So, think about it. You could be risking lung cancer....or a variety of other severe medical issues. Or you could pass out and crash. It is TOXIC to breathe! I'd stop driving that car till its fixed ASAP. I think it damages the brain too....
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#7
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I reviewed the material safety data sheets for a number of antifreeze types. None were identified as carcinogens. None were toxic when inhaled; lung irritation was the most significant side effect listed from inhalation. For some types, there were no negative side effects from inhalation.
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#8
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Hmm....interesting. I had always been told that it was quite dangerous to breathe in the vapor form. I believe it even says it on the bottle.
I know animals (and people) will die if they drink some (or even some diluted in water)....so it can't exactly be "Safe" by any means.
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#9
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Some good info from whunter here in these posts
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/139585-antifreeze-ethylene-glycol-intoxication-toxicity-metabolic-acidosis.html#post1037466
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1983 Mercedes 300D Atlanta, GA |
#10
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Thats where I remembered it from...awesome.
Moral of the story: its a poison, don't inhale or drink it
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#11
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Buy a ford F250. I just did the heater core in mine...$23 and 30 min start to finish.
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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver 1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver 1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine |
#12
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DEATH. BUt that's the long term effect of breathing at all.
P E H |
#13
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Gauge,
Loosen the radiator cap so there is no pressure in your cooling system. That will make it leak much less or not at all. |
#14
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At the international auto show in detroit this past weekend I got to see the most amazing cut-away of a vehicle I have ever seen, it was of the new F150....pretty impressive vehicle. Anyways, the heater core is VERY easy to get to! Its right behind the kick panel on the passenger side inside the "blower housing" area. From the looks of it you could probably replace it on the new F150 in about 20-30 mins as well. Too bad ours is not that easy to get to....oh well. So far none of ours have leaked.....and we do have an extra good core in our parts inventory.
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#15
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Every Ford I ever owned ended up with a leaky heater core. Most were cheap but difficult to replace. Maybe it's the other way around now.
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DJ 84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012 |
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