I'm planning to flush the cooling system of my 91 300TE 4M this weekend. As I am unsure of the length of duty the coolant has served I plan to use MB's lemon acid flush concentrate. The tech at MB said to pre-mix the entire bottle of granules (12oz.?) into a gallon of water and mix 1/2 the solution in the system (total cap. 9.5L) and run for 5 mins. at operating temp. Flush out with clean water and then mix the remaining half with water and repeat. After the last chemical flush run clear water through until no particulates appear.
Sound right? Should I put in the new thermostat first or should I complete flush sequence first? The old stat has failed "open".
Thanks in advance for your help.
Best

Hazen Arnold
 

I'm sure the chemical flush from MB is the best.
My '87 300E has never had a chemical flush.
I do change the coolant every year.
When new, I installed a Prestone reverse flushing "T" fitting in the heater hose.
After draining the coolant into a catch basin, you attach a garden hose to the "T" fitting.
You turn on the tap water ever so slightly and that reverse flushes the cooling system.
The flush water exits the top radiator or expansion tank filler, where the pressure cap is.
There are those who swear by MB coolant, I've always used Zerex.
I'm still on the original radiator and in 177,900 miles the second water pump.
The key is, coolant is cheap, parts ain't.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from change it in the spring Houston.
Donald, El Cheapo

Cooling System Flush
 

Hazen,

Where did you purchase MB lemon acid flush concentrate? Can I get this on-line?

Joe

JoeMB,
Alas, it was acquired at my local MB dealer for the princely sum of US$20 for a bottle of crystals about the size of a large family sized Advil bottle. Approx. 12 oz.
Best,

Is this lemon acid the same as citric acid? Hopefully it will say on the bottle. If so there are cheaper places to obtain ie chemical supply or possibly the grocery store (to coffee pots).
my $0.02
Steve

Accept NO Substitutes...
 

HEY! We all like to save money, but let's not try to second guess Mercedes when it comes to proprietary chemicals...;)

Trust me, nothing is going to work the same, or as well. But if you want to save money on it, you can buy the 500 gram bottle of Lemon Citrus Cooling System Flush, Mercedes part # 000-989-10-25 for $11.90 from The Benz Bin, http://www.thebenzbin.com, 1-888-628-3247. :cool:

Sorry! :o
I'm a chemist, and was simply trying to see if what I think is in the MB secret brew is what I think it is. As I have access to said chemicals off the shelf, so thought I'd pose this as an alternative.
Steve

I suspect that the MB product is the typical citric acid crystal product commonly used in industry as a mild acid flush or stablized chlorine dioxide activator. Maybe Hazen can tell us if there is a chemical analysis panel on the bottle?

Longston
 

Hey scott, quit trying to push lemons, we know how you California citizens are.
I would imagine it is citric acid.
What would happen if we bought a bag of California Oranges, would that work if the juice were sqweezed into the radiator?
All kidding aside, My '87 has never had a cleaner used in the cooling system, just Premium Coolant changed every spring and tap water reverse flush.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston!!!
Donald, El Cheapo

If It's Yellow, Let It Mellow, If It's Brown, Flush It Down?
 

Hey, far be it from me to suggest that anyone follow the manufacturer's suggestions for how to maintain their automobile. ;)

But really, no embarasment required Steve, we're always glad to have a new scientist in our mad laboratory. And as such, I personally would like to have your comments on these previous threads that discussed antifreeze mixing with distilled water.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=6923

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=12636

That should keep you entertained for awhile...

Don, this ain't citrus country up here, it's wine grape country! Besides, the miracle of oranges is just now beginning to be exploited in cleaning supplies. Use whatever citrus you please in your radiator. Just don't mix that Mercedes flush with vodka! :eek:

Happy Hour Plop Plop Plop Three Olives Martini Time from the wine country...:D

Guys,
What I bought (and paid too much for) is MB part # 000 989 10 25 All it says on the bottle is Lemon Acid Irritating to eyes, avoid contact with skin, Keep out of reach of children 0,5 kg. 1.1 lb. No chemical description no percentages of nuthin'
Only one thing to do. Taste it. Let's see, gotta taste enough to cut through this homemade smoked German sausage, and the cheap No. Cali. cab/merlot. Tablespoon oughta do it. Tastes like chicken - lemon chicken - strange after taste sort of like ack kckkkc ack kchchk ...................ckckckfkvccccccccccck..................

Steve! Good to see you on the list - say hi to Peggy for me!

A Very Funny Post...
 

Hazen,

Now that's what I call following a cue! That was genuinely funny! :)

Hey, I,used to live in Seattle, and I understand how difficult it can be to get quality provisions up there in the wilderness. Let me know if I can help! I truly felt your pain in that comment about "cheap No. Cali.cab/merlot." And I know you're all too aware that the Washington State Liquor Control Board is still not savvy enough to know which wineries down here are producing the world reknown quality Napa/Sonoma/Mendocino wines that this region is so famous for!...;)

But hey, I understand that Puyallup is producing an awesome daffodil wine for the festival this season...:D

And, uh, Redhook rules!:cool:

Hazen, a little baking soda should smooth that lemon thingie out in no time. And Peggy sends greetings back to you. Sounds to me like you are getting that TE whooped into shape. Electro-gremlins gone, I trust?

And Donald, enough of those tap water reverse flushes, and you'll be regular in NO time! ;-)

Scott, any man who enjoys a good martini, and can spell Puyallup, is OK in my book. :-)

dakota,
I agree with your kudos regarding a certain No. Californian who can spell Puyallup and also drinks martinis.
As long as he remembers the golden rule of Martini drinking passed on to me by my sainted father, "Martinis are like a woman's breast, one ain't enough and three are too many!"
Sure, he can SPELL Puyallup, but can he PRONOUNCE it?
(enjoying the tumultuous after effects of a lemon acid cooler with a chaser of bicarbonate of soda :-0
Yours truly,

Spell Puyallup?
 

Dakota,

Or more accurately, Lakota, Thank You. I can also spell Tillicum, Stellacoom, Spokane and Yakima! I even lived in two of those! Ah, The aroma of Tacoma! Can you say papermill? I knew that you could! And the Pike Street Market, Wow!

My Dry Martini recipe:

Per Martini:
.75 oz. Martini & Rossi dry Vermouth
5.25 oz. "Three Olives" Vodka
3 spanish Queen olives soaked in Vermouth

Mix Vermouth and Vodka (you may substitute Skyy Vodka)
Place in freezer for at least 1/2 hour (preferably overnight)

Serve in a freezer chilled Martini glass with skewered vermouth marinated olives that have been seriously refrigerated! Enjoy! For extra extra dry Martinis, just whisper the word "vermouth" to the olives before serving, or pass the bottle of M&R over them three times while uttering, Boom Schwatie Ooosh!...

One last thing, click on the "smilies" at the top of the window that opens and allows you to post, and you will get a listing of the codes for these guys:

:D ;) :) :( :confused: :cool: :eek: :mad::rolleyes: Etc.

Coolant Flush
 

What's the proper procedure to flush the radiator fluid? I attempted to last week, but I know not all the fluid came out.

Also, do we need to bleed the system, how do we do it?

Thanks.
Eddie
1993 300E 52K

Cooling System Flush 93' 300E?
 

This past weekend I tried to change the coolant in my 300E 3.2L sedan, I followed some of the guidelines on this board, but I believe that I have done sonthing wrong: I'll expalin...
I proceeded to let the car cool down and then I removed the coolant tank cap, then I removed the lower right hand radiator hose and removed the upper left hand radiator hose... I then proceeded to flush the system and then replaced coolant with Zerex G-05 50/50, but realized only aproximately 1 gallon was replaced. Why didn't the whole system drain (2 gallons)? Now I am afraid to move the vehicle because I think air has been trapped in the system....how can I be sure? and how to eliminate it? If any illustrations are possible or coolant change procedures available..they would be highly appreciated.
p.s. I did a search on coolant changes but did not find answers to these questions! Thanks again!

Hi pulix,
while I don't know your car, from what you describe it looks like you just drained the radiator. When you say "flush the system" does that mean you put a waterhose in the upper radiator opening and flushed until the water running out at the bottom was clean? That would not really flush the "system" but the radiator and the old coolant would still be in the engine block as the thermostat was closed (cold) and probably didn't allow any water to run out. Thus you replaced radiator volume, not system volume.
To get air out (if any is in), you need to start the engine with the expansion tank open and warm up the engine to operating temp, i.e the thermostat will open and the waterpump will circulate the coolant through the radiator. If water is missing somewhere, the coolant level in the expansion tank will drop and you pour in more (preferably hot) coolant mix as it goes down. Once it stops going down you ought to be ok. Close tank and take it for a ride and watch the temp. and check coolant level again. If you take coolant along, make sure the bottle is closed while you drive...
I don't think you need to be afraid, just watch the temp.
Good luck
Reinhard Kreutzer

to follow up on pulix question: so will someone please
point out the proper way of flushing the system. also,
as an option, which hose and where to attach the "prestone" plumbing.

TIA