Ok stupid question. I have been trying to figure out where I am losing coolant and I first wanted to check to see if the 1977 radiator had an overflow catch can. Mine does not and I was wondering if perhaps that is something I need to fix first.

The overflow container was only for OM617 turbo and later engines.

Dkr.

Well i got some dye and a uv light to try and find the leak. The PO just put green coolant, do i need to switch to mb?

I would flush it. I use Zerex G-05. But you need to find and fix the leak first, did the uv light indicate where it was leaking?

The dye will be here Monday. It was half the cost online than local. Lol

I pump up the radiator and look for escaping water/coolant...

I also installed an overflow catch bottle.

Not even the turbo 617 equipped vehicles came with an overflow catch bottle...

Only the w124 had one from the factory.

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We need to clarify an issue for those that might come by this post in the future. The semi-transparent plastic tank on the 617's, is actually an expansion tank, not an overflow tank. As was mentioned above, the overflow line out of the expansion tank just leads to the pavement, as there is really no overflow catch tank or bottle.

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Soooooo there is supposed to be an expansion tank in there? The radiator's line just drops to the pavement right out of the radiator.

The expansion tank system was fitted from the factory on diesel turbo engined W123s

The non turbo OM61X engines did not have the expansion tank system fitted at the factory. (But modifications might happen at a later stage!)

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The problem you might be having is that you are over filling the (non expansion tank system) radiator. If you over fill it the system chucks out a lot of coolant making it seem like you have a leak.

(It is still worthwhile looking for a leak though just in case but bear in mind that if you top off a cool / cold radiator all the way to the top and then warm it up there is no place for expansion)

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I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

As mentioned no expansion tank on the 240s.

All 617 turbos, yes.

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Not knowing the exact level in which ro fill it then i top it off. After a few hours of drivijg driving i let it cool over night and checked it again. The level ia right on top of the internal fins.

I blew into the drain tube and it sounds like air is leaking around the radiator cap. The car has sat 2 days now and has maintained the same level of coolant. I got the due in this morning and will dump it in this afternoon when i get back to the house.