Yes Dave, Recent data indicates that Mercedes antifreeze is manufactured by the Zerex division of Valvolive/Ashland Oil. It does contain Glysantin, which is a patented and trademarked product produced by BASF, and licensed for use to Ashland Oil.

For recent postings on this subject, you can go to: Corrosion/Coolin Sys. Q?

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

Glysantin, flysantin. Suffering Succatash!!! p/n Q 1 03 0002
makes no reference to Glysantin.
Has anyone bought some of this mystery antifreeze with
this stuff (Glysantin) in it??????? Inquiring minds want
to know.

Gary

Does somebody want to call up MBUSA and ask for the Material Safety Data Sheet for the Q 1030002 stuff ? Maybe that will put this to rest.

__________________
David McDonald
1981 240D
1985 300D (wrecked)
1985 300TD 365,000 miles
1969 Mustang Fastback

Mercedes Benz antifreeze/coolant is an Ethylene Glycol base containing Glysantin G 05 as a corrosion inhibitor.

As far as I understand, Glysantin G 05 is an organic acid corrosion inhibitor, and was the first of it's kind. All other antifreeze/coolant manufacturers are now making product containing similar organic acid corrosion inhibitors.

As far as a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), you will need to contact Valvoline, not Mercedes, as Mercedes does not manufacture their branded antifreeze/coolant. I tried retrieving a MSDS from Ashland's online MSDS, and there were no results for any type of anrifreeze/coolant.

The best I could do was to go to: http://www.valvoline.com/index_products.html then choose product category, "Cooling Systems Products", then click on the "Technical Bulletin" button.

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

More data than anyone needs on this topic.
Even I am tired of thinking about it, after reading all the data.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
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Technical Quality Auditor.
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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

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Wow, what an old thread. You can tell it is old when the first post says that "MB" anti-freeze is $10 per gallon. Now it is $20. (or was it $22.?) per gallon at my local dealer.

Still have the green in mine. Will change this spring.

An old thread for sure. Here's a fairly recent article from MB that everyone should read.

https://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/StarTuned/pdfs/AntiFreeDec04.pdf

I use PEAK Global LifeTime Coolant. It meets the Mercedes Benz DBL 7700 specs and still has the "yellow" color like the $22/gallon stuff.

--------
"B. What is an Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolant and how is it different than conventional coolants?

Conventional antifreeze is formulated with inhibitors composed of neutralized inorganic acids, such as phosphates and silicates, to protect a cooling system against rust and corrosion. Over time, however, inorganic inhibitors deplete and may no longer provide maximum cooling system protection. This is why it is generally recommended that conventional coolants be changed every 2 years or 24,000 miles.

In contrast, OAT coolants are formulated with neutralized organic acids to form a highly effective corrosion inhibitor system that provides maximum cooling system protection. Organic inhibitors do not deplete as quickly as the inorganic inhibitors used in conventional coolants. This is why properly formulated OAT coolants typically provide up to 150,000 miles or 5 years of cooling system protection between service intervals. The superior OAT formula in PEAK Global LifeTime uniquely provides a LifeTime of cooling system protection - for as long as you own your vehicle."

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F. My owner’s manual instructs me to use a particular brand of antifreeze/coolant. Will my new car warranty automatically be voided if I use an aftermarket antifreeze/coolant that is different than the antifreeze/coolant brand identified by the manufacturer?

No. Federal Law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, prohibits a manufacturer or dealer from voiding your warranty just because you have chosen to use an aftermarket antifreeze/coolant in your automobile.

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J. Can I use PEAK Global LifeTime Antifreeze & Coolant in European and Asian manufactured automobiles?

Yes, PEAK Global LifeTime Antifreeze features an advanced patented technology that provides maximum rust and corrosion protection for cooling systems found in European and Asian automobiles. Additionally, the patented technology found in PEAK Global LifeTime Antifreeze meets the silicate-free coolant requirements of Asian car manufacturers and the phosphate-free requirements of European car manufacturers.

That price varies at the dealer. I paid $13 four months ago at my local dealer. Some of the online parts guys sell it too, but for me the dealer was actually cheaper.

__________________
Tjohn

82 300 SD
77 450 SL (gone)

The white insert in the owner's manual of my 1991 300SE gives only ONE coolant acceptable M/B Q 103 002.

I just purchased a gallon at Discount Import Auto in PDX for $18.00
What a discount!! The label say made in Montvale NJ for MBZ.
Ethelene gylcol is listed on the label.

An old thread I know, because I posted in it a few years ago, but did not feel the need to start a new thread on my question and have read through this until my eyes are crossed.

I have a newly acquired 1988 Mercedes 300SEL, which appears to be a very well maintained car. Engine bay is clean, but not too clean (as if it had been cleaned). Fluids are clean, etc, HOWEVER it has the dreaded GREEN coolant in it, which is a no-no I know.

The car runs in the normal range... @ 80°C (when stopped) or slightly below when on the highway.

I want to get MB coolant in, but wondering if I should leave this to a professional, such as the dealer and will the green have to be flushed and is there a chance it could clog my evaporator core or damage my headgasket, etc? Like the old saying goes, if it aint broke, dont fix it, but I do not want the green to damage anything. The car is 20 years old and Lord only knows how long the green coolant has been in there.

I contacted a local MB mechanic (but specializes in diesels, but does general work on gassers) and he said he also recommends a thermostat change. His reply was:

"Your 103.981 engine has aluminum heads and brass in the radiator so it is best to switch over to ZEREX G05. In time, the standard "green" antifreze could cause problems with key components like the heater core, radiator, and water pump, because of the way it reacts with the metals it comes in contact with. ZEREX G05 has longer drain intervals than standard coolant".

Sounds like he knows what he is talking about. Does anyone else use this coolant or should I go ahead and use MB coolant? If prices were identical, would the dealer be the best to do this or would any MB independent shop be OK for this? He said he flush/change the coolant for $55 (labor).

Thanks in advance.

A number of threads I found in the diesel discussion forum relate findings that the Zerex G05 is the only non OEM coolant that is approved for MB, and if you find it on Valvoline's home page, you'll find it listed as Daimler approved, along with a number of other European makers approval.

Price wise, I've regularly found G05 anywhere from $8 to $15 per gallon, and the MB bottled stuff was ~$30 the last time I saw any and asked the price out of morbid curiosity.
(The $8/gal price was at a heavy equipment hydraulic shop that supplied all the local operators and repair shops. It might be worth a quick run through the phone book!)

__________________
-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

My Grandfather used to say Zerex was the best 40 years ago. It seems it still is one of, has been all these years.

Thanks for the replies guys! I will likely get it changed soon and hope that a drain/flush does not cause any problems.

Distilled water is also known as "hungry water"! Being devoid of minerals and contaminants, it sucks the minerals out of anything it comes in contact with. We took a newly and expensively rebuilt Pontiac motor and put distilled water in it. We could not stop the rust! Finally, we drained the system, refilled with "purified" water (cheaper than distilled too) and added one pint of ATF ----- that ended the rust. No "hungry water" for my cars!