Replacing coolant for 94' C280

Can anyone tell me where the drain plugs are? There should be one on the radiator and one on the engine block, right? Any important precedure I should follow?

Harry

Yes the drain plug on the block is located under the exhaust pipes on the under side of the block. Be sure the engine is cold before attempting the change. Big note...When installing new coolant be sure to try to overfill the reservoir this is the only way to purge the coolant system. After the system is completely full, turn on the defrost and crank the engine. If you don't get heat out the top soon, turn the engine off and add more coolant.(Until it pours out the top of the reservoir)

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

I did replace the coolant during the weekend. The problem is, I can only put in as much as 2 gallons of water/anti-freeze mixture (which is about 8 US quarts, or 7.?? liters). I measured the coolant I drained from the radiator and the engine block, which is about the same amount. However, the coolant capacity listed in the owner's manual is 10.6 US quarts (or 10 liters). What did I miss?

PS. I did overfill the coolant tank and turned on the defroster as described. After 30 miles of driving, the coolant level seems adequate.

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Harry (94 C280)

Harry, IT is an impossibility to get all of the coolant out of the system. IE total capacity is the amount it will hold when new. Now if you could shake out all of the coolant, you may be able to get 10 out of it.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

So you are saying that being able to put in 8 quarts of coolant out of a 10.6 quarts capacity is quite normal?

Another question comes to my mind:

I only drained the system and refilled with new coolant this time. What if I flush the system with water next time before I refill? Put in 8 quarts coolant of 50/50 mixture will make the overall antifreeze less than 50%. Should I put more antifreeze if I flush the radiator?

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Harry (94 C280)