coolant replacement
 

Changing antifreeze fluid in my 88 560sl
Got the correct zerox z-05
Is there any special tricks about installing new coolant
I am going to drain the block and flush
Can air get trapped in block
or just fill and run till all air escapes???
Any help is greatly appreciated

I wouldn't use that coolant, I'd only use the MB coolant.
There are 2 block drains, it's easier to get to them on a hoist. After the block and radiator are drained and closed up, start filling the system with 50:50 premix, I'd just use regular drinking-quality water (not soft water!).
I recommend pouring it in until it won't take anymore, wait 5-10 minutes and recheck level, top it off if it needs it. Then take a gallon or so of coolant along with you for a road test. WATCH the temp, plan on about a 5 minute drive. IF the temp overheats, find a safe place to stop (have a few places in mind before you leave where you can stop if neccesary) DO NOT drive the car any longer than absolutely neccesary if it's overheated! Pull over and shut it DOWN! Preferably you'll get back home about the time the engine reaches operating temp. Shut the engine off and wait about 5-10 minutes, the engine should "burp" air and it will need coolant again (it doesn't seem to matter if you leave the cap off or on). Top it off one more time, this usually is all it will take. If you have time you can repeat the road test process. Have the defroster operating when you do this. One dead giveaway that the car has not burped is a high coolant temp reading, and a cold-blowing defroster. BE CAREFUL about not overheating the engine, you can easily ruin the engine if you aren't careful.
Gilly

Thanks Gilly for the infro
I will get on it tomorrow
Just like burping a baby

I don't want to condradict the allmighty Gilly :), but I'm pretty certain the Zerex G-05 'ingredients' are exactly the same as the MB stuff.

Yes they are. A dealership mechanic (Mercedes dealership) actually told me all about it - those ones in the MB containers are manufactured by the same people who make the Zerex G-05 and they are exactly the same.

Well, you wouldn't really be contradicting me I guess. I never said you CAN'T use it, hell pour swamp water in it, I don't care (well, OK, I do too). This is what I said:
I'm sure the other stuff would work fine. I also wouldn't use it. :p

Gilly

Here is an article right from the Valvoline web sight

It's not the space shuttle so I figure its will work just fine
Especially after what previous owners may have put in it!!!!
I know its the wrong color in it now.
PS, thanks for the inputs
This sight is great, lots of answers
Making a discission is easy will all the help
Here is some more reading material
Make your own discission
In my case the dealer is 30min. driving time away

Article:

G-05 Antifreeze/ Coolant
Provides long life protection for new Ford and DaimlerChrysler vehicles


Zerex G-05 is a low-silicate, low-pH, phosphate-free, pre-charged formula that is designed to protect automotive and diesel engines from rust and corrosion. Zerex G05 is approved by Ford and by Daimler-Chrysler for worldwide applications including all MTU and Mercedes engines.

Approved by Ford and DaimlerChrysler for use in automotive and diesel engines.
Utilizes hybrid organic acid technology to minimize inhibitor depletion
Low-silicate, low-pH and phosphate-free formula
Provides protection against liner pitting and corrosion
Helps prevent rust and corrosion
Helps prevent hot weather boil-overs and cold weather freeze-ups
Protects all cooling system metals, including aluminum
How to Use

Due to the differences in cooling systems, Valvoline recommends that you refer to your vehicle owner's manual for instructions on changing your antifreeze.

Testimonials


Be the first to submit a testimonial!

How it Works

Zerex G-05 antifreeze/coolant uses the highest quality virgin ethylene glycol for freeze and boilover protection and a hybrid organic acid corrosion inhibitor package to protect your engines from liner pitting and corrosion.

FAQ

What is unique about Zerex G-05?
Zerex G-05 is an ethylene glycol based coolant with an HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) inhibitor package. It is phosphate free, fully formulated (contains nitrite) and protects against hard water deposits and corrosion. As a testament to the quality, Mercedes has been using this formula for over 20 years.

What is a HOAT coolant and why is it different from conventional and extended life coolants?
An HOAT coolant uses both inorganic and organic inhibitors. HOAT coolants offer the best of all technologies for both immediate and long lasting protection. Inorganic inhibitors provide fast acting aluminum engine protection from boiling and erosion while the organic materials offer non-depleting, long term protection.

What vehicles use Zerex G-05 in the factory fill and what is the dye color?
1984 Mercedes and beyond (light yellow)
1990 Deere and Company vehicles and beyond (green)
2001 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep and beyond (orange)
2002 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury trucks and SUVS and beyond (yellow)
2003 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury automobiles and beyond (yellow)

What aftermarket products are approved by Ford and Chrysler?
Ford, Lincoln, Mercury brands - Ford Motorcraft Gold and Zerex G-05
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep brands –Mopar 5/100 Antifreeze and Zerex G-05

What is the difference between these products?
All products use the Zerex G-05 formulation. The only difference is the dye color.

Are extended life coolants compatible with G-05? And vice versa?
Mix coolant types in an emergency but for optimum long life protection it is best to use the OEM recommended fluid exclusively.

Can you use an extended life coolant in a Ford and Chrysler vehicle?
Both the Ford and Chrysler owners’ manuals do not recommend using unapproved extended life products such as DEX-COOL or equivalents in their vehicles and state that improper maintenance may invalidate the warranty of the cooling system. In addition, many vehicles are not designed for DEX-COOL or equivalent organic acid, extended life coolants. For example DaimlerChrysler is reported to have experienced solder corrosion issues in heater cores with some DEX-COOL type fluids.

Can you use Zerex G-05 in a GM Vehicle?
While one can use Zerex G-05 in a GM vehicle, Valvoline recommends that you use a GM DEX-COOL approved formula in a GM vehicle under warranty.

Can Zerex G-05 be used in diesel applications?
Yes. Zerex G-05 is a fully formulated (nitrite containing) coolant that will help protect diesel engine cylinder liners from pitting corrosion. It has also been approved by Cummins and Deere & Company.

Is it safe to use Zerex G-05 in European and Japanese manufactured vehicles?
Zerex G-05 is compatible with Japanese and European cooling systems as an aftermarket equivalent. Consult the owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations and warranty information.



Product Specs

Chrysler MS 9769; MTU approved; Daimler Chrysler approved; Ford WSS-M97B51-A1; Federal Specification A-A-870A; John Deere approved; Case MS 1710; ASTM D3306; SAE J1034, J814; GM 1825M, 1899M

Sizes and Grades


Name G-05 Antifreeze/Coolant
Size 1-Gal
Part ZXG051
UPC 28882-50143

Name G-05 Ready-to-Use Antifreeze/Coolant
Size 1-Gal
Part ZXG05RU1
UPC 28882-50127

Name G-05 Ready-to-Use Antifreeze/Coolant
Size 55-Gal
Part ZXG05RU2
UPC N/A

Name G-05 Antifreeze/Coolant
Size 55-Gal
Part ZXG052
UPC N/A

Myanoch: While you're at it, you might think about buying a new collant resevoir cap (cheap part), as well as the coolant level indicator (not as cheap as cap, but still cheap) since they corrode easily, and, test the hose to ensure it can withstand the appropriate pressure. My '89 300SEL needs to test at 13 # pressure.

Is there some bigtime savings of the coolant you described vs. the Mercedes Benz coolant?

Now I've got a question: does anyone use distilled H20, or Deionized Water in the mix?

Just curious.

Thats on the list the cap looks like the rubber seal is worn
I don't think the fluid is cheaper
I paid $10 per gal.
It is just hard for me to get to the dealer with work and were they are located
My BMW I use all dealer stuff but its 2 miles from work
When you buy an older car you must take time and keep replacing till you Know everthing is in the ball park
I trust very few who are selling They say its good , we changed it
but without a dealer record your better off doing it over to be sure
Very few sell great vechicles to strangers
most of the time friends grab them up
It is a nice car to work on
Had some fun getting it back into shape
like it should be
Its a fine old car and doesn't deserve to be neglected

This has been a hot (and sometimes passionate) topic discussed in the past. Search the archives using words like "distilled water" or "demineralized water".

The MB shop manual specifies using demineralized water for coolant mix. Mind you, this is specified by Germans where the water on average is harder than what we have in North America. Consensus in the past has been that it is good practise to use distilled water for the coolant mix.

I just did flushed my cooling system and used the oem MB antifreeze with distilled water that I bought from Walmart. Regular water has minerals and I definitely don't trust the tap water where I live. Besides, it only cost my $2.97 Canadian for the distilled water.

Because of their hard water in Europe, they recommend using a phosphate-free antifreeze in their cars. Honda is real picky and their Type 2 antifreeze is silcate-free, phosphate-free, borate-free and nitrate-free and comes already mixed with demineralized water. Not cheap either!