Having read most of the threads on replacing the coolant level sensor,on my '87 SDL,I went to suck out the coolant with an old kitchen baster,as recommended. There is nowhere to put the nose of the baster into the expansion tank,that I can see.Am I missing something obvious here? Does the upper part of the tank come off the bottom,larger section...it seems like where the two parts meet is really seamed together and not meant to be separated. Thanks for any help!

On my car the coolant expansion tank has a plastic cap that can be removed for access. This of course could be of little help as my car is significantly different than your I imagine. Good luck

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

Maybe it is just me but I am a little confused by your question. I don't understand what you are trying to accomplish. The coolant reservoir should have a removable cap (the radiator cap) in the top through which you can pull the old coolant out.

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Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

Nope dbgrate is right unless you have a long thin hose you cannot suck much if any coolant out of the cap. I hate to say it but drain the system.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

On my SDL The Expansion Tank that incorporates the coolant level sensor also has a "Rad Cap", just like Habanero said. However it would take a long while to remove all the coolant neccessary to get to the level sensor with a Turkey Baster, as Hatterasguy has indicated.

Do yourself a favour and go down to your local Autoparts store and buy a cheap Windshield Washer pump and about 6 feet of hose to fit it. Connect 3' of hose to both inlet & outlets of the pump. Then figure out a way to wire it with temporary clips to the battery (adding a switch is a useful touch) and then use this to drain your expansion tank into a suitable receptacle.

If this is too much hassle then as has been suggested, you can drain the system.

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1991 M-B 560SEL Arctic White/Grey 99,000 Miles
1987 M-B 300SDL Ivory/Palomino 229,000 Miles (sold but never forgotten)
2006 Volvo XC70 Blue/Beige
1999 Porsche Boxster Arena Red/Savanna Beige
1986 Porsche 928S Goldweiss/Brown

Here is an idea, insted of messing with that crap just pull the sensor and only the tank will drain. Then just refill the 2-3 quarts or so that comes out. Gunk the engine afterwards to clean up the coolant residue.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Heck if he's fast enough doing the R&R of the level sensor he could probably save half the coolant in the tank

Thats what I would do, an o ring around the sensor seals it; just pull the old one out and stick the new one in.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

: Thanks to all for advice and comments.I think I'll try the famous Hatterasguy method...give it a shot and maybe try to rig up something to catch some of the coolant gushing out....messy but quick!

Its easy to tell that Hatterasguy is not one to overlook the obvious.

Have a great day,