Quote:
Originally Posted by emerydc8
Thanks. I'm running 35%/65%, but I've used tap water instead of distilled water. I'm also using Prestone instead of MB coolant. Is there really a difference? If so, I'll make the change.
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If you have 230K miles on the radiator that has used tap-water, I can almost guarantee that it's partially plugged and/or the passages are not a wide as they were when new.
Quote:
Originally Posted by emerydc8
I thought about taking the car in to have the radiator flushed at a radiator shop, but I've never done this and I'm not sure whether it really does much, versus the more expensive option of replacing the radiator outright. Has anyone had any experience with a professional radiator flush? Can a professional radiator shop do much more than the flush available at Autozone?
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I would try the flush. . . what have you got to loose?? If you see a lot of 'stufff' coming out, then maybe it's time for a new radiator. Personally never had a 'pro' flush so can't comment.
As far as use of af, I have used Mercedes af + distilled water and it does what it says. But I'm not sure that there isn't other brands that are as good. But distilled water has NO substitute.
Had a good friend who's MB was running as you described; car had 110K on the original radiator that saw only tap-water. While "playing" with the VFC, he broke the "nipple" on the top of the radiator that goes to the overflow bottle. Once that has been broken, there's no way to 'repair' it. So he bought a new radiator. Now engine temp "NEVER" goes above 95C w/ AC on in 90F weather. That opened my eyes.
So if the 230K miles are on the original radiator, it may be time. However, make sure it's not something 'dumb' like a partially stuck tstat; ie one that won't fully open.