flushed coolant- didn't get splashed- no heat
 

Don't know what's the right way to access the block drain plug but doing it from the bottom looked like a PITA unpleasant way that would certainly drench me. So I did it from the top. Had to remove the air cleaner housing, the hard pipe between mono valve and aux coolant pump for access. Pic shows where the 19 mm drain plug is for reference for anyone who wants to do it this way. I used a 1/2 drive rathet with an extension. Don't be confused by a 17 mm bolt in the same area of the block closer to the radiator. I removed the lower rad hose (no rad drain on mine) and also the upper rad hose. I flushed using a garden hose in the upper rad hose, hose at the aux pump and the exp tank. Filled it with Zerex G05 from the upper rad hose and exp tank. Couldn't get full 13.2 quarts in (approx 1.5 quarts left). Started it and let it idle till temp gause show 80C but heater is blowing cold air. Will driving it at hwy speed get the air out of the heater or do I need to pull a vacuum to get the air out?
The hose removal tool for $4 from HF works great! Really makes the job easy.

http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1260907350.jpg

http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1260907348.jpg

Good job.. I did it from underneath and I probably scared the neighbors with my cussing. It wasn't that hot. Just a damn mess. I will try it that way next time.

I filled mine with G05 and distilled water after flushing and draining about 3 times. I had lots of crud in there. Also, I filled it as it was warming (thermostat open and heat on high). Took it for a short drive, came back and topped it off. It has been fine ever since. That was months ago.

What's the purpose of the hard metal pipe between the mono valve and the aux pump? Why didn't Mercedes just use a hose? It just gets in the way.

Also, I've had green coolant in the car for 3 years (from previous owner) and who knows how old it is before that. What if any damage occurred from the wrong color coolant?

Just from driving it it bled itself and I have heat again.:)

You do have a drain plug for the radiator, I have the same Behr rad.
Look under the front left side, there is a blue plug. unscrew it.

when I drained the block, I loosened it and don`t remember getting wet.I may have reached from the top to unscrew it.

I had a long pan 3ft X 2ft or so to catch the coolant. bought the pan at Home Depot over in the building supply side. think it is used for mixing cement or? ends sort of curve up.

Charlie

I had the BEHR rad. used the screw. Replaced the rad. a few months later. Due to age and cracking. New rad. has the same screw, same location.

If you drained the block from underneath.... I would like to see a video of how you managed to stay dry. Maybe I did not have the car high enough and came in from the wrong position?

Catching the coolant was easy as is the rest of the job. Maybe I was just too exuberant?

What kind of headlights do you have on your W123 Charlie?

Thanks for the pics Charlie! Damm I was looking in the vertical surface of the radiator where the hoses come out. Never would have guessed it would be on the bottom through bodywork.:eek:

About 5 ot 6 yrs ago I changed them from sealed beam, to the kind that has the replaceable bulb.

The first set looked just like the standard sealed beams. I got a good rock hit and one was cracked.

So I was at the Good-Guys street rod show, and one of the vendors had this set. they are a clear glass with a diamond reflector. Iam running 90/100watt bulbs, and also have 100watt in the fogs. gotta see where Iam going :D.

I wired the fogs to be on hi or low beam with a seperate switch.

Yesterday I noticed the left fog was all cracked from a rock hit, and the left head light had some moisture in it from a rock hit. can`t win.
good thing PNP has supplied me well in fog lights, have a back up supply :D.

I have played around with these goofy lights long enough, if I find a set of euro`s .....:rolleyes:


Charlie

I might have drained the radiator first so there wasn`t so much to deal with. maybe lowered the pressure in the water jacket some. I just did this last April, I should know:confused:. I would like to see how I did it too. I do remember reading about it gushing out and getting wet. so I was avoiding it at all cost.:D remember, don`t lick our lips after the splashing :rolleyes:

Charlie