w203 C 230 K Coolant replacement
 

I'm getting ready to change the coolant in the c230K due to a "low coolant level" warning. Upon checking the resevoir, the level is about a 1/4 inch low; which doesn't seem very low at all to me...but what do I know. I did top off with water and plan on changing the coolant soon.

BTW, the MB parts counter guy who sold me a gallon of orange coolant said that the coolant is green from the factory in germany and the orange stuff is the best available in N. America.

So, I have the proper coolant, and a picture of the radiator assembly. What I'd like to obtain is any DIY advice, the MB service literature group 20, and any recommendations/warnings/etc. i.e. how to best remove the plastic shroud that covers the bottom of the radiator underneath the car, etc.

Do I need to flush? Existing coolant is clean and minty looking. It's supposedely good for 100,000 miles, but other sources say to change every two years. If flushing is necessary, what do I use?

I also searched the forum but couldn't find exactly what I think I need. Another question I have is whether or not there is a coolant drain on the engine block, and if so do I need to find and drain from the block as well?

Thanks in advance. I've got lots of time thanks to the recent financial crisis (read: laid-off), but not much experience with DIY auto repairs.

- matt.

The coolant drain on the engine-block can be difficult to reach.

The plastic belly shield uses either a 8mm or 10mm socket/wrench to unscrew.

Be careful when tightening the radiator drain plug, if you tighten it too much the plastic screw will break.

I like to mix the coolant with distilled water.

I'm curious why the low level coolant light went on, on my W202 a faulty windshield level sensor could effect the coolant light.

Do a search for StarTuned Magazine and use the archive to read about coolant.

You might be on to something, if you meant windshield washer level sensor, because the car also tells me that the washer fluid is low.

Does any one know if draining the engine block coolant on this car is necessary and/or part of the standard coolant replacement prodedure?

I did a write up on my W202 but that is a '98. I think it is usually better to open the block drain. But I had to run water through the system for a while to get all the old coolant out anyway.

I am very curious about the colors you mention. I thought it was always straw yellow. Have they changed to green and orange?

I think I read that write-up a while back, just wasn't sure how much has changed from w202 to w203. Probably not much but you never know.

I asked the parts dept. guy at MB of San Diego about the green coolant. He said that the coolant used at the factory in germany is green and supposedly good for 100,000 miles. The orange stuff is the right/best stuff to use if you reside in N. America and need to replace coolant.

The factory green coolant isn't available in N. America. The coolant I purchased from the dealership is orange.

I would be more skeptical about the "factory green" coolant, except that the car was dealer owned and serviced prior to me taking ownership. I doubt they'd use non mfg. spec fluids.