About to change coolant- need tips

[benhogan]

Since this car was purchased used, I would like a baseline on the fluid changes.

This weekend, I plan on replacing the coolant and thermostat and have some questions-

1. the genuine MB coolant makes point of saying this is "yellow". is there another kind?

2. the current coolant in the car is green (i think but will have to verify).

3. what is the coolant capacity of the car?

4. is the gallon of genuine MB coolant premixed already?

thanks guys. I am really enjoying the car.

[neds380sl]

Hi Ben- Welcome. Mine's a 380SL so I can't give you specifics on quantity, but I can tell you that you should make certain that ALL of the old stuff is out before you install the new. I too removed ALL of the old green anti-freeze before installing Mercedes yellow/clear. It is almost clear when mixed with distilled water. I'm having a problem with another car (Toyota Land Cruiser) because I didn't get the old green out before putting in new Toyota Red (big $) and I think some of it jelled in the block causing heating problems (I'm in Phoenix). Anyay, good luck. Ned

[rs899]

Yeah really, good luck getting it ALL out ( Ned- did you open the block drains?). The engine block drains in a M116/M117 are impossible to get to without a lift, and even then a steel allen plug in an alloy block is a stupid idea.

I just tackled mine when I changed the timing chain. I had the water pump exposed, so after I drained the radiator, I stuck a hose in the water pump and just let it run for an hour so that I flushed the block (not an environmentally good thing to do, I realize). Then just put most of a gallon of Zerex G-05 in and let the car do the mixing. I don't remember the proportions, but it worked out about right for Florida.

Rick

[benhogan]

Originally Posted by rs899

Yeah really, good luck getting it ALL out ( Ned- did you open the block drains?). The engine block drains in a M116/M117 are impossible to get to without a lift, and even then a steel allen plug in an alloy block is a stupid idea.

Rick-
Thanks for the post. I think will will farm this job out to my trusted local MB mechanic.

I don't own a lift and will gladly pay extra just to get the job right the first time.

[rs899]

He had better be "trusted"...I bet he does the same thing I did

[compress ignite]

Not Pre-mixed

Scenario:
1.Drain ALL the Old Coolant
2.Refill with Clean Clear(Preferably Distilled) Water.
3.Start and Run Engine until it reaches Operating Temperature (Driving).
4.Drain and Repeat #2 ,Repeat # 3.
5.Drain and fill with proper (50/50) mix of Distilled Water and Zerex G05.

[sokoloff]

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Not Pre-mixed

Scenario:
1.Drain ALL the Old Coolant
2.Refill with Clean Clear(Preferably Distilled) Water.
3.Start and Run Engine until it reaches Operating Temperature (Driving).
4.Drain and Repeat #2 ,Repeat # 3.
5.Drain and fill with proper (50/50) mix of Distilled Water and Zerex G05.

Turn the heater on while you do the job.

[meltedpanda]

yup to do it right ( without the block drains removed ) the hoses should come off, as well as Tstat and flush the block through the tstat opening for some time. I actually used compressed air ( rigged up a system ) and blew the block passeges clean. Good time to replace the T stat and hoses should they look bad.