I drained my coolant tonight and switched to Zerex, but in the process managed to overheat my engine. I parked the car on a steep hill to fill it, then took it for a test drive. I drove around in L a bit with the heat on full blast and watched as the temperature gauge went higher and higher waiting for it to "burp" but it never did. It finally reached the top and after a minute or two I stopped and checked the coolant level which was still high in the expansion tank. My poor engine was smoking . I let it cool off for a bit then pulled the upper radiator hose (using a key to loosen the hose clamp ), filled the engine and it cooled off.

I hope I didn't do any lasting damage...

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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

that sucks.. is this on the new beast?

pouring cold water in there may have been a bad idea. You shold have let it cool on its own first.

Luckily, that reading only comes from what is happening at the head, probably no reason to worry about cylinder scoring or other moving parts in the block.


I did the same thing when I switched over also.. why doesn't it burp? I was on a steep hill as well w/ heat on??

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I would call you a DF..........but, that language is not allowed on the forum.

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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

These engines have the most confusing coolant path. Do you think this was a case of being filled without the thermostat opening or does this bizarre coolant path work around that???
Keep it close to home on that first drive after work like this.....
Hope it's OK. It should be.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I still don't know how people get this problem. I have flushed and refilled my MB diesels numerous time without ever having an overheating problem afterwards. Fill it slowly through the upper radiator hose and top off the overflow tank if it has one. Drive it to bring it up to temperature. Next day, top it off if needed. Works every time.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I do.


Fill it slowly via the expansion tank.............

That could do it, of course, but people seem to get air bubbles even on 240D's.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I haven't seen the radiator on a 240D, but, I'll hazard a guess that the top hose is very high on top of the radiator, similar to the 300D. If the radiator is filled quickly, the coolant will not allow the air to flow out from the head, and, therefore, the coolant won't flow to the head. It's a bit dicey to accomplish and requires patience if the hose is not removed and filled.

Old age and skill trumps youth and impatience.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Touché

I've done this 4 or 5 times, this is the first one that has not burped after a short drive.

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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

dont know why you guys have such issues lol. When im doing a coolant flush i usually keep the thermostat in, then remove the radiator, start the car and jam a hose down the lower radiator hose. since the water flows from the lower radiator hose into the engine and out the top hose it will flush out whatevers left in the engine. Then i throw the hoses back on fill it 3/4 way with tap water, put in the 1/4 with coolant and then add 4 drops of dawn dish soap. and i havent had an issue since.

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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

That sounds messy, foamy and mineraly.

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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

And bad for the environment when you let all that cr*p run into the yard or drain.

But it works the best. On vehicles where the thermostat is easily reached I tried to always pull it and remove the hoses when doing a flush when I used to do this myself. Nowadays the shops charge so little for this job that I'd just as soon let someone else deal with it, though I will watch to make sure that they do not screw up and overheat the engine.