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Old 08-23-2008, 07:42 AM
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Will someone please help me locate the coolant block drain plug on a 1979 240D?

I followed the instructions from various posts in this forum on how to locate it...
I first located the starter, then went three inches further forward and one inch vertically upward... but there's nothing there, just empty space. I also put the car on stands, went underneath with a flashlight and inspected around that area attentively inch by inch: the plug seems just nowhere to be found.
The FSM instructions for my model (20-010), though, show a nice picture of the plug at about three inches from the starter and state that it is located on the cylinder crankcase. I have the 1979 first version 123.123 engine (engine 616 912)... Is it possible that this engine came without a block drain plug? If not, where in heck is that plug?

If someone with a (1979) 240D has done it, I'd like to hear from him... Thanks.

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1979 240D, W123, 105K miles, stick, white w/ tan interior.

Last edited by rino; 08-23-2008 at 01:22 PM.
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Old 08-23-2008, 09:56 AM
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It is on the passenger's side of the engine, but not right near the starter. If you have a block heater, follow the cord underneath the car and up to the engine block. The drain plug is very close to the block heater, just more towards the front of the car. If you don't have a block heater, you can look for the freeze plug (hex key style) in the center of the block on the passenger side. The drain plug is a little down and right of it.

Here is the DIY link:
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Old 08-23-2008, 12:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cavaliers16 View Post
It is on the passenger's side of the engine, but not right near the starter. If you have a block heater, follow the cord underneath the car and up to the engine block. The drain plug is very close to the block heater, just more towards the front of the car. If you don't have a block heater, you can look for the freeze plug (hex key style) in the center of the block on the passenger side. The drain plug is a little down and right of it.

Here is the DIY link:
I don't have a block heater. Don't see the freeze plug either. I had already the pictures at the link you pointed to, printed out, but my model setup seems different (mine is a 616.912, not a 617). I inspected again, and there is this large bolt positioned on the side of the engine RIGHT AT THE FRONT OF THE STARTER. The bracket that goes from the top rear bolt of the mount pedestal to the exhaust manifold is less than an inch from the front end of the starter (and that large bolt)... The throttle linkage is right on top of the bolt. Could that bolt be it? (I hope not.) It does not make any sense that it be so close to the starter and the other items I mentioned (makes it very difficult to work on), unless the starter on my car (currently a Bosch) is a replacement that is a few inches longer than the original one. That large bolt is visible from the top, and maybe the only practical way to access it is by removing the air filter housing and unscrewing it from above the engine. Now I am even more puzzled... Any ideas??
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1979 240D, W123, 105K miles, stick, white w/ tan interior.

Last edited by rino; 08-23-2008 at 01:19 PM.
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Old 08-23-2008, 04:54 PM
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Luckily, it worked as I guessed it would. Yes, that large bolt (19 mm) was the block drain plug. I removed the air filter housing and accessed and removed the plug with a 19 mm socket and 6" extension (no way that could have been done from underneath the car). It makes a complete mess, with fluid sprinkling all over (I placed a large flat box lined with a plastic bag under the engine, and it did a good job containing most of the fluid coming out). I flushed several times with hot water poured inside the disconnected upper radiator hose.
Now I'm replacing the (faulty) radiator with a new one, and then I'll do the degreasing flush with Dawn dish detergent, more flushes, the citric acid flush, more flushes, and finally refill with 50/50 Zerex G-05 and distilled water.

Or at least, that's my plan...

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1979 240D, W123, 105K miles, stick, white w/ tan interior.
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