whats the big deal about "Mercedes" coolant? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Technique · #46 05-09-2003, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Greg in Oz
Technique,

I was interested in the pic you posted. In Oz, our MB brake fluid comes in that same metal container. Our MB coolant comes in a much more glamorous container than yours though! Maybe that explains why ours seems more expensive (about $50 AUD for 5 litres last time I purchased some). I still don't understand why MB sells us this nice looking blue stuff (that has bittering agents so you don't mistake it for some fancy cocktail!) and you get yellow stuff. Does it have bittering agents too, or would nobody try to drink it because it looks like pee?

Greg

Well, I certainly am jealous that we get the plain white bottle with black lettering. Although I am still suspicous that you aussies pee blue! hehehe!

OK, being more serious, I bet the "bittering agents" are there so that if the antifreeze spills or is left open, then pets (such as dogs or cats) won't be attracted to it. I've read stories of dogs being attracted to spilled antifreeze because of its sweet taste and getting ill after drinking it.

PS - I don't think I will take a taste of the yellow stuff we have here, let's just assume there are bittering agents inside.

#47 05-09-2003, 09:50 AM

The yellow stuff probably looks like mountian dew

I am now a bit worried, as I am using the regular green stuff, but I do have an aluminium head in my 250SE!
Though I can't get over the price for some MBZ coolent! ($50!!)

csnow · #48 05-09-2003, 09:53 AM

Unfortunately, I can attest that the stuff has a bitter nose and a sweet finish. Perhaps just a hint of HPDE, and a silicate bouquet.

Cheers!

(BTW, in the southern hemisphere, the blue pee swirls down the bowl counter-clockwise.)

Technique · #49 05-09-2003, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Manya
The yellow stuff probably looks like mountian dew

I am now a bit worried, as I am using the regular green stuff, but I do have an aluminium head in my 250SE!
Though I can't get over the price for some MBZ coolent! ($50!!)

My calculations show that $50 AUS is about $32 USA. WOAH! That is crazy. That's almost 4 times what I paid. Insane... I hope the blue color is worth it!

Take some pictures for us...

Honus · #50 05-09-2003, 09:56 AM

Does the Zerex G 05 have the gelling problem (if that is what you call it) that is associated with Dexcool? Also, is the Zerex G 05 compatible with conventional green antifreeze?

Technique · #51 05-09-2003, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dculkin
Does the Zerex G 05 have the gelling problem (if that is what you call it) that is associated with Dexcool? Also, is the Zerex G 05 compatible with conventional green antifreeze?

When you say "compatible" are you talking about mixing the two? I would never mix different antifreezes... Just do a nice clean flush and use only 1 type... Why tempt fate?

placo1 · #52 05-09-2003, 10:15 AM

dculkin,

The Zerex G 05 is definitely not compatible with the green antifreeze. You will want to flush your old fluid out completely and then fill with a 50/50 mix of Zerex/Water.

Honus · #53 05-09-2003, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Technique
When you say "compatible" are you talking about mixing the two? I would never mix different antifreezes... Just do a nice clean flush and use only 1 type... Why tempt fate?

My question was poorly written. What I was hoping to find out is whether any harm would come from putting Zerex G 05 in a system that has had a less-than-perfect flush after draining conventional green antifreeze.

I also have the same question about the Mercedes coolant. If I change from conventional green stuff to the MB coolant, how important is it that I get every last bit of the green stuff out of the system before installing the MB coolant.

I hate messing with antifreeze.

Greg in Oz · #54 05-12-2003, 03:43 AM

The reason I commented on both the colour of the coolant and the container was to raise the question of whether both types are actually the same thing. The blue stuff we get here comes in a container with numerous languages on the label of similar styling to most MB products sold world-wide. The cost is pressumably a result of it being shipped from Germany. I was interested that your (yellow) coolant comes in a container with an almost after-market appearance, labelled it would appear, only in English. Is it really manufactured by Mercedes-Benz or someone else suggesting the possibility of it being available under a different brand name? I cannot see the country of origin in the pic of the coolant Technique posted however I notice that it is 1 US gallon rather than say 5 litres. I am still puzzled as to why the availability of two distinctly different looking products, each claiming to be the genuine product. What colour MB coolant is used in countries other than Australia and USA?

jay3000 · #55 05-12-2003, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dculkin
My question was poorly written. What I was hoping to find out is whether any harm would come from putting Zerex G 05 in a system that has had a less-than-perfect flush after draining conventional green antifreeze.

I also have the same question about the Mercedes coolant. If I change from conventional green stuff to the MB coolant, how important is it that I get every last bit of the green stuff out of the system before installing the MB coolant.

I hate messing with antifreeze.

Here is a tech. bulletin, if the link will work.. It says it's compatible with better brands of coolant commonly available..

http://www.valvoline-technology.com/data/valv/prodinfo.nsf/064d8b901e00e75f85256b140058985e/85256ae300727d2bc1256bbf006e84b9/$FILE/Zerex%20G%2005%20Antifreeze.pdf

suginami · #56 05-12-2003, 11:53 AM

Greg,

I just received the most recent edition of The Star Magazine. It is the official magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.

In the Technical Tips section, compiled by Stu Ritter, there is a short paragraph on coolant:

"In 1999 the factory began using two kinds of engine coolant anti-freeze. The original is tinted yellowish, and the new one is tinted bluish. Both are compatible with each other."

Both the yellow and the blue coolant are available in the U.S.

Technique · #57 05-12-2003, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by suginami
Greg,

I just received the most recent edition of The Star Magazine. It is the official magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.

In the Technical Tips section, compiled by Stu Ritter, there is a short paragraph on coolant:

"In 1999 the factory began using two kinds of engine coolant anti-freeze. The original is tinted yellowish, and the new one is tinted bluish. Both are compatible with each other."

Both the yellow and the blue coolant are available in the U.S.

And the truth, shall set you free!!!!

Well, now we know... I wonder if the dealer carries both the yellow and the blue, and depending on what year your car is, gives you either the yellow or the blue. So, since my benz is a 1998, maybe the parts department gave me the yellow. Perhaps if I had a 2002 and I asked for coolant they would give me the blue...

It seems as if blue is the superior (or if not, at least it's newer) coolant...

haasman · #58 05-12-2003, 12:15 PM

If I am not mistaking ... when you mix yellow with blue .... you get green. Ironic ....

Haasman

suginami · #59 05-12-2003, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by haasman
If I am not mistaking ... when you mix yellow with blue .... you get green. Ironic ....

Haasman

Yeah, no kidding. I was thinking the same thing after I wrote the post at home...

#60 05-20-2003, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tod Labrie
I would not use anything other than MB OE coolant. There is scientific proof that it protects MB engines better. It has to do with pH levels and acidity. The STAR magazine (a few years ago) did an interesting article on aluminum, pH levels, and MB coolant

And what did you expect MB to report when testing their own coolant???????????????????????????????????