??? Clear MB Coolant??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rainmaker · #1 08-07-2001, 06:21 AM

The local MB dealer/distributor/importer doesn't use MB coolant. For some strange reason, they use the green stuff from Prestone. I was insisting on the orange stuff but they no longer carried it. I believe it has something to do with excessive tariffs and duties for these things.

At any rate, I went to another dealer and found MB coolant and promptly purchased it. It came in a 5 liter container.

Upon reaching home, i opened the sealed cap and to my surprise it was clear liquid. The container has the appropriate MB logos and has labels in German, English and French.

It is labeled "Typ 30" and says "Anticorrosion/antifreeze Agent" with smaller text stating "protects fro corrossion, freezing and raises the boiling point. Exclusively for use in cooling systems damaged by corrosion.

There are also stickers that you are supposed to put somewhere on the radiator which says "use only Typ 30."

The main ingredient is Ethanediol although in the German and French texts, the terms Glykol and Ethylene-Glycol are used respectively.

The part number is A 000 989 16 25 11. The "11" is not in bold unlike the rest of the part number. The product is made in Belgium.

Anybody familiar with this? Should I use this instead of Prestone or should I continue my search for orange MB coolant? This stuff was pricey btw...around $80 for the 5 liter jug.

Thanks for any insight...

Michael · #2 08-07-2001, 03:26 PM

The latest Star magazine pans the non-OE coolants as being way too acidic-the MBZ orange stuff is much closer to neutral.

As to info on the stuff you purchased, try calling Mercedes...perhaps they can help. Sounds like a different sort of concoction you have there

rainmaker · #3 08-07-2001, 09:07 PM

I guess if it's for corroded radiators, the last thing it would be is acidic....

I sent MB an email...doubt if they'd reply...never have...it'll be a first for me...

Michael · #4 08-07-2001, 09:18 PM

Until you can determine if it's the right stuff, I'd avoid using it. If you have too much trouble sourcing the right stuff, advise and we'll figure out a way to ship you some

Can't have a 500E running the wrong coolant!!

rainmaker · #5 08-07-2001, 09:32 PM

Yeah, I know, I'm holding off replacing my coolant...but the problem is that the dealer poured in the green stuff in my radiator.

I'm not sure which could be worse...

Btw, how much is the orange coolant per gallon?

Michael · #6 08-07-2001, 09:56 PM

I think it's like $10-$12 US or so per gallon...can't be much more. I think a 500E takes 2 gallons. Likely shipping would be more than the coolant!

I'll call tomorrow and get you a more exact price.

aldedmon · #7 08-11-2001, 06:08 PM

Rainmaker I think if you do a search you will find a previous rather detailed discussion on coolant. I added that here in Texas at the 3 Houston area dealers that I have bought coolant from for the past 8 years changing the coolant in my 92 400e, it has ALWAYS been CLEAR! When I heard on the discussion board about ORANGE I nearly flipped my wig. The overflow tanks in the all late model Benz's in still transparent right. I've looked under the hood at the MB Dealership of some new rides and I haven't seen a one yet with ANYTHING other than clear (water clear) coolant in those tanks. I CALLED Both MB and my local Dealer and was told that the ORANGE is New! First of all, MB does NOT make Antifreeze/Coolant/radiator juice whatever you want to call it. They give a vendor a set of specs and the vendor is charged with delivering a product which meets / exceeds those specs. If yours is clear and labeled with proper MB-ese numbering its probably some good stuff. As stated earlier a gallon here in the STATES is @ $12. Additionaly I'd venture to say that if others start seeing the CLEAR instead of the ORANGE, the vendor was probably asked to reformulate the stuff to return it to its colorless form for the majority of OLD gearheads who freaked out upon seeing it pour orange. As for why it went from clear to Orange, I offered that we associate clear stuff to easily with water. If accidently mixed with a "friendly" water supply or spilled on the floor, we want to be able to recognize it as a "Non" friendly spelled POISONOUS contaminant. So if we see little Jimmy fall in it before we clean up or fluffy the cat going toward it for a cool drink we can act/ react quickly to prevent an emergency.
Just my 2 cents worth.

rainmaker · #8 08-13-2001, 01:38 PM

I checked with the local dealer about the clear coolant. They say it's safe to use with my radiator. Expensive...but safe.

Since the label says for use with systems damaged by corrosion, I figure I could use it since for most of its life, it was using MB coolant while it was in Canada. It was only in the past year or so that the car was imported here at which point I suppose Prestone (green) was used...and we all know what that does.

I doubt if it would damage the cooling system...and since I can't return it, might as well use it. Gotta look into importing the orange stuff myself in time for the next coolant change...in a year or so...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Coolant Leak Suggestions	jbhebert	Tech Help	3	02-22-2005 02:54 PM
clearing up details on coolant change 87 300E	dirtysocks	Tech Help	2	01-03-2005 10:20 PM
whats the big deal about "Mercedes" coolant?	neumann	Tech Help	62	05-24-2003 01:37 AM
final word on coolant temp.	MarkM	Diesel Discussion	2	01-04-2002 05:51 PM
Coolant system over pressure?	ndormor	Tech Help	3	04-27-2001 03:44 PM