I found Zerex G-05 for SDL!...now what?
 

After searching Pep Boys, Autozone, and Kragen here in the San Fernando Valley CA, I found Zerex at Napa Auto Parts. I went to one Reseda and found a lonely G-05 bottle. The clerks asked me why I needed such a coolant (when they had cheaper coolants like prestone and whatevers). I love my car and I want to give it the best it deserves. Hopefully it lives long enough for my grandchildren....but hey! you never know right?

Anyway, my scenario is that I see there is green or yellow coolant in the tank. I want to give the cooling system a [citric acid] flush on the ol' 603. BUT, from what I was told, it's a different procedure on the 603. I looked at this DIY (Great pics by the way) at dieselgiant (I think it's a 240D).

http://dieselgiant.com/mercedes_citrus_flush.htm

My question is: Can I just take out the radiator and the thermostat and flush from the top radiator hose to come out the bottom? There are other hoses that I have to disconnect to get it out I'm sure, but I'd rather not fiddle with that stuff if I don't have to.

Can it be as simple as flushing the top hose (with the heater on) to go out the disconnected bottom hose?

What is the significance of Zerex over any other propylene glycol fluid????

It's similar to, if not the same, as the MB coolant. These two are formulated to work with aluminum parts, whereas most other coolants do not have the anti-corrosive properties.

Or so I'm told!

Gotcha...

Not like the 2 gallons of Dex-Cool that have been sitting on my bench since 2001????

Zerex G-05
 

Is chemically the same as the MB coolant.(Same,Same.)

Using anything other than the MB or the Zerex product puts you in the "Pool"
for Darwin awards.

Abadjay,

Follow the DG instructions.
(or the FSM instructions)

Do Not Let the Citric Acid solution inhabit the cooling system for too long!
[Driving around for a week or even 24 hrs is Stupid!]

HINT: "Short Cuts" in this procedural maintenance WILL come back to bite
someone in the Stern!

After doing the flush and refill, I would recommend using distilled water with the G-05 mix.

I have used distilled water with my antifreeze for ever it seems. My datsun PU in my Sig. has the original radiator with 450700 miles on it. the interior looks pretty good after 27 yrs. It has never been taken apart and cleaned at a radiator shop.
I did take it in in Nov because the side bracket unsoldered and had to be fixed, did notice some of the fins starting to flake off . and a couple weeks ago the upper tank has started to leak some. maybe time to replace and retire it.

Tap water can have mineral deposits that can attach to the water jacket and the radiator with time and affect the cooling. our water here seems to have rocks in it since it is so hard.:D
I also flush with distilled and not tap water, maybe over kill.

I use G-05 in everything, just simpler, and mix it in a 2 1/2 gal container with the water, 50/50.

Charlie

GEEEZZZ , where do you get that much distilled water ? They call for like three full flushes ...

I'm still lost on the subject though. Let me just say that Pictures do the best job of boosting confidence. That's what I like about that link I put up is that it's pictured. It's hard (at least for me...yes...call me a dumbbutt if you will) to just take words. I didn't take out any ALDA pump on my car till I saw GSXR do it with pictures...

There's a block coolant drain under the turbo. From the aft end of the engine you'll see the plastic cover for the block heater, the oil hard line going to the turbo, then a petcock with 19mm wrench flats and a nipple for a garden hose (just the hose, no fittings). Give the petcock a few CCW turns, no need to remove it, as an additional drain and flush point.

On cars without a convenient block drain, I let the engine idle with a garden hose into the upper radiator fitting and collect what comes out of the upper engine fitting until it runs clear.

Sixto
87 300D

55 Gallon Distilled Water to your Door.
 

http://www.puretap.ca/drum.html

Whoops,Ontario customers only!

Distilled in U.S.
 

It is fairly easy to make a slant glass distillery ...I have some big glass ... will post pictures if I do...

I picked it up at Walmart, been a while since I bought some, not sure what I paid. wasn`t that bad since I don`t like our rocky water here. makes a lot or racket with the rocks going through the cooling system :rolleyes:.

Charlie

Is THIS the radiator plug!?
 

I am mapping out my strategy on how to drain the coolant system of the green stuff and put in the good ol Zerex.

However I'm looking for a drain plug....any drain plug... so I tried to look for this blue screw on the bottom of the radiator and found a small blue one...(picture 1) Is this it? It doesn't look like I can unscrew it with anything.

My next question is the block drain. I'm looking for the block drain from the top. I don't know if it's accessible, but I'm looking for what it looks like. 19mm right? What is this "sound panel" that I remove? (Picture 2)

:confused:

The block drain is accessible from under the car. You don't have to remove anything.
I think 19mm is correct. It's easy to spot because of the small hose nipple on it. Not certain of the nipple size but it is is too small for garden hose. At least the hose I have.