I am getting ready to replace all of the coolant and heater hoses on my 68 280SE. Currently is has the generic fluorescent yellow/green coolant in it. I would like to know what everybody's thoughts and opinions are on what type of coolant should be used in the older cars.

Thanks,
John

I have switched all of my water-cooled vehicles to Delo Extended life coolant. It is RED in color. It is used in over the highway trucks. It is good for 6 years. It comes premixed or concentrate. You can buy it at truck repair shops. Napa also carries an extended (red) coolant made by prestone (I believe). DON'T use that DEXCOOL orange coolant. That stuff clogs up cooling systems!!
ALSO very important... Watch the temp gauge as you run the engine after you change/drain coolant on Mercedes engines. They need to have the cooling systems bled (air) or they will not circulate and will overheat. My 240D has a bleeder bolt on the thermostat neck.
Chris

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Thanks for your input!

Yeah but more important then the fluid is the flush. Its a maintenance chore that nobody bothers with. Mechanics wont flush your radiator because it trashes their shop. And now with EPA disposal requirements for old anti-freeze, you wont find anybody to properly flush the system. MB recommends that it be done at least once each year.

The cheap Prestone garden hose flush kit is pretty good. And Valvoline makes an excellent 8 hr flush solvent that works well after purging the system with fresh water. Just follow the instructions.

Hell with 38 year old MB 108 radiator, heater core and valves you oughta seriously flush the system yourself at least once each year. It's a fun and easy job for springtime afternoon. Trick is to schedule the valvoline flush around extended trip when the car will run at least 6 hrs straight.

After a good flush (After I drain/rinse the system a couple times I normally drive around a bit with just H2O in the system, then re-drain) this product will do the two things that you want anti-freeze to do, one of which is to protect your cooling system from corrosion!

Cheers!

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'91 420 SEL @ 199K, '92 SVX @ 181K, '93 SC400 @ 86K, '93 Kaw ZX-11 @ 30K, '87 F250 @ 181K , 2001 Valkyrie Interstate @ 6K, Y2K Honda NightHawk 250 with 1.5K, '88 420SEL I.@ 179K & the 2nd latest, an '88 420SEL II.@ 210K runnin' parts car, '85 F150 300/NP435