Hi everybody - my mech just flushed the coolant system on my '91 350SD and replaced the coolant with the dreaded 'green stuff'... I had already asked them to use Zerex, but I guess they forgot! What should I do??? Should I make them re-do it or should I just make sure it gets changed with MB or Zerex the next time I change the coolant?

Did you specifically ask for Zerex G-05? That's the proper stuff....

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Yes, I did specifically request Zerex G-05, but I'm pretty sure I ended up with the green stuff... haven't seen for sure, but the mech assistant just told me they used standard antifreeze... I'll find out for sure later today when I pick up the car. Damn...

I have very serious doubts that you'd do any short term damage with alternative fluids, because basically everything is designed for aluminum components these days. If they put the wrong fluid in, just demand (politely) that they flush it out and replace it with the correct G-05 at no cost. Not worth making a huge issue out of it, just keep your requirements simple and be courteous.

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1987 Mercedes 300D

Here's an idea - maybe I will stop by an MB dealer or Auto Shop (any recommendations on who has Zerex G-05?) and pick up the MB or Zerex coolant and when I go to the shop, I'll ask them to change it over - shouldn't be a big deal since I am paying for the proper coolant, right? I don't want to make a huge issue over it, but I just want to be safe.

Oh - how much coolant will I need to buy???

Napa carries it, comes in a bronze colored jug. Should be $10-11/gallon. Around here, I haven't found anybody else that has it besides the dealer's $20+/gallon stuff. I'd get two gallons.

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1987 Mercedes 300D

And the coolant should be mixed 50/50 with distilled water, right? Should I pick up the distilled H20, too? If so, how much???

Did I mention I live in Las Vegas where it is hot as CR*P in the summer - including the next couple months (August & September)??? That's part of my concern about the proper coolant.

I'd assume the mechanic has and always uses distilled water, but it's certainly wise to ask. Re the concentration, it says on the bottle but I don't remember if it recommends traditional 50/50 mixing or not.

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1987 Mercedes 300D

The green coolant will transfer heat just fine, but that's not the issue. The issue is chemical compatibility with the components in your vehicles cooling system. For that matter, plain water will transfer heat quite well; it just does a poor job at preventing corrosion.

I just purchased 3 Gals. of Zerex GO-5 and left my car with my mechanic, I'm pretty certain that it was a 50/50 mixture already.