Couldn't find an answer for this. Can coolant that has boiled be reused or is it done for?

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1984 300td euro turbo

You can't hurt the coolant itself, but you may have boiled off some water and perhaps destroyed the additives. Probably good to get a coolant flush that replaces coolant and additives.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Good to go.

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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

I don't think you can hurt it.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

You need to be more specific.

Type of coolant?

Age of coolant?

How hot for how long?

Were there bubbles / liquid coming out of the overflow?

Was the overheat caused by a failed head gasket / head that allowed combustion gasses to enter the cooling system?

Does the coolant smell burnt?

Type of coolant? Prestone dexcool

Age of coolant? About a year

How hot for how long? 110c 10 mins

Were there bubbles / liquid coming out of the overflow? Only if I released pressure does the coolant burst out.

Was the overheat caused by a failed head gasket / head that allowed combustion gasses to enter the cooling system? This is a big possibility.

Does the coolant smell burnt? It does not.

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1984 300td euro turbo

Was not that the type of coolant called certain death or whatever? Taking it to 110 c in a closed cooling system should not degrade it.

I would do some research on that before making any decision. I may have the name of the coolant wrong but one sounding the same or that one was problematic. GM used a lot of it .

Best to dump it if your research shows it is what I think it is. Not because you overheated it as you really did not. Many pressurized systems operate at least sporaticaly at that temperature.

I had Dexcool in a Peugeot many years ago and after 3 years or so, I noticed a lot of red crusty buildup at all the hose connections (after hose removal). Don't know how Dexcool reacts in W123's. Per our phone conversation earlier today, you said when you changed to Dexcool from Green coolant, a handful of black gunk came out. I would suggest draining the Dexcool (capture and see how much gunk comes out) and do a flush, then put in the proper coolant (Mercedes or Zerex G05 available from NAPA)

Don't put cold water into a hot engine!

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

I typed in "Dexcool" in Google and this is the first link that comes up. Don't know if legit or not.

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-128547.html

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Dexcool is only for GM engines that were designed for it. Get that stuff out of your MB!!!! It will eat through everything.

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

This is long life coolant

This is 5 year / 150,000 mile rated


At 230* F you are still below the coolants specs for max temp
From http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/zerex_dex_cool.pdf

Concentration________________40 ______50 _____70
Freeze point_________°F/°C -12/-24 -34/-36 -90/-67
Boiling Point @ 15 PSI, °F/°C 260/126 265/128 277/135




Unless a car is pushing coolant out the overflow it isn't boiling.

Given the coolant does not smell burnt and you were well below the coolant limits, I'd call it OK to use again.

[/QUOTE]


Dex cool is a good coolant but it isn't forever, it does not like being run with air in the system and that seems to lead to jelling.

Some get all fussy about coolant and say car X isn't designed for coolant Y but don't offer specifics. I've not come across any specifics as to what is different between systems.

Remember that if you change coolant after the death cool. Flush the system well. I hope it was not in the system long enough to have done your radiator or in some other way causing the car to overheat.

I try to keep an open mind as there seem to be many posting no trouble with it as well. Yet at the same time I have never seen an anti freeze condemned as much as that one was. Thanks for posting the link funola. The negative claims are valid as at least locally it is known as certain death or whatever. I will go as far personally that if I saw it in a car I was interested in purchasing. It may be worth walking away. I think it is red in color.

I would agree that you should get the Dexcool completely out of there. And I emphasized completely, because Dexcool OAT coolant does not mix with conventional coolant or HOAT coolants. It can precipitate a sludge! Not sure how that would be done by shop, but seems to me you need to drain block and rad, then flush thoroughly with water, then drain again before adding either conventional coolant (the green stuff), but read lable to make sure it says it is good for aluminum. That will have a relatively short life before needing a flush to restore additives. Better to filll with 50/50 HOAT which is what MB coolant and Zerex GO5 are.

This site provides a concise comparison of the three main coolant types:
Antifreeze Facts

This site says:

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5