temporary cooling system "fix" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JDmills · #1 06-14-2006, 08:39 AM

yesterday I drained the radiator to replace the thermostat. Upon doing so, I have discovered that the rusty sediment which I thought had been flushed out of the cooling system last summer is still present.

My question is can I drain the antifreeze and run streight water for a month or so, while the antifreeze (the extended life stuff, which is only a year old) rust and solids settle out, I would rather not recycle this antifreeze, and hope to re use it once the sediment settles out of solution. Then after seeing that the antifreeze has cleared up, I would run a flush through the system.. and re install.
What do you think?

Pete Burton · #2 06-14-2006, 08:48 AM

I think only a few days is necessary to settle things out of the antifreeze. Use a couple coffee filters when you put the antifreeze back in to catch anything that sneaks by the decanting. Several forum members here have had good luck with a citric acid flush, and my FSM suggests it too as the preferred method.

#3 06-14-2006, 09:05 AM

What type of "extended life stuff" antifreeze are you using? You want to use the correct MB antifreeze (or equivalent Zerex G-05).

N41EF · #4 06-14-2006, 09:24 AM

Make sure you remove the block drain plug too. Draining the radiator drains less than half or the coolant. DWIW I'd spend the 15 dollars to refill with a gallon of mercedes or zerez G-05 and distilled water. At $15 for two years protection, it's alot cheaper than replacing a radiator, and worry about corossion.
Chuck.

JDmills · #5 06-14-2006, 10:57 AM

Coffee filters? Never would have thought of that!

Still unsure as to weather I can run water in the cooling system for a month or so? They used to in the old days.. But that was a long time ago, and may be it is a bad idea?

JimF · #6 06-14-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDmills

Coffee filters? Never would have thought of that!

Still unsure as to weather I can run water in the cooling system for a month or so? They used to in the old days.. But that was a long time ago, and may be it is a bad idea?

NO!!! Using just "water" is ng! For a day, maybe but for a MONTH, absolutely NOT! It will cause more trouble and be rusty water in a month.

Use a flush and drain it in one day or so.

Pete Burton · #7 06-14-2006, 11:08 AM

I would not run just water beyond a day or 2 to flush out and neutralize the citric acid. If you are referring to Prestone "extended life" antifreeze, I'd chuck it and replace it with Zerex G05 or MB coolant (same thing, AFAIK). The reason is that other coolants seem to embrittle the radiator coolant tanks.

JimF · #8 06-14-2006, 12:36 PM

I have a "story" re MB af and distilled water!

About 8 months ago, while 'tickering', I broke the top 'nipple' from my radiator on the C140. After the 'proper' amount of cussing, I had NO choice since if you break that nipple (to the overflow bottle), you MUST replace it. Also it was 11+ years old so it's about time.

Next to my tech's shop is a full-service radiator repair shop. I took it there and we opened it up . . . just for grins! I was almost like new; the passage ways were open and there was very little calcium/lime deposits. Since it was new that rad never saw anything but MB af and distilled water and a flush every two years.

That should convince the skeptics. BTW, the upper and lower radiator hoses are still original!!

JDmills · #9 06-14-2006, 07:10 PM

Ok, guess I get to spend some more $.. G-05, and another day flushing the system. The PO did a nice job of neglecting it. I got a sweet deal on the extended life coolant, so I fugured it could not be any worse than the PO's use of some green stuff, that had turned to a rust color. Bet I loose the heater core as well.. hhaaah, shucks. Thanks for your replies.
Jason

#10 06-14-2006, 10:27 PM

IFAIK, the heater cores are pretty durable. We don't often hear of them failing, even when they get clogged up. I have flushed mine (carefully) by putting a garden hose into the heater hose and disconnecting the other end to get a good stream of water through the heater core.

JDmills · #11 06-14-2006, 10:33 PM

My heater core will occasionally fog the windshield, and burp a sweet smell when it has not been used for a while... I assume that implies a small leak. As of yet I dont have to add coolant, but after running some cooling system cleaner , and getting the rust out, I expect it to show more signs of the neglect it has had... Hope to be wrong, but seeings how I put the wrong antifreeze in the the car and aparently did not get the cooling system clean the first time, I am not feeling optimistic.

#12 06-14-2006, 10:40 PM

Ouch, that doesn't sound good. In that case, I would flush very carefully.

blueranger · #13 06-14-2006, 10:41 PM

i know you guys dont want to here this but here is how i do it..
disconnect the top radiator hose at the radiator. Put your garden hose inside the moth of the radiator. Lift the unattached radiator hose up and point it over the front of the car. turn the garden hose on about half way and start the car. The fresh water will run down through the radiator into the engine circulate and come out the disconnected hose.... let it run for 15 or 20 minutes and you have a flushed radiator....

#14 06-14-2006, 11:03 PM

I doubt "rinsing" cold tap water through the system for 20 minutes is as effective as actually flushing the system, but it's probably better than nothing. I would do the above "rinse," then fill the system with demin. water and an acid flush, drive for several hours (as recommended for the flush), then rinse again (with the heat on), then refill with the correct antifreeze and demin. water mixture.

TwitchKitty · #15 06-14-2006, 11:12 PM

Antifreeze serves as a lubricant for your water pump. There is a product that you can add to water for lubrication if you are not going to run antifreeze. Right now I can't think of what you call that stuff. I also don't know if this would be adequate protection for your engine. You could run some temporary antifreeze until the good stuff clears. Later dump the temp stuff in another engine.