Dumb Coolant Question

[johncibulsky]

I drained about 5-6 liters of coolant and refilled 5.5 liters of coolant flush & water in my 1994 E320. However, I'm supposed to use about 9 liters.
Could someone tell me what I did wrong?
Thanks!

[macdrone]

The rest is from your block and heater core, thats why so many auto store have that after market flush kit you put in the heater core line to flush them out. Its from Prestone I think.

[mpolli]

I wouldn't recommend that kit. I have seen those things break.

[Bob Weir]

Drain plug for block under exhaust manifold. You should then do continual flush [not reverse] with engine running and heater on MAX to completely clean system. Water into reservoir, drains out rad.
Do a search for exact location of drain plug and flush procedure.
[DON'T use Prestone green]
Fill with Zerex Glysantin G05 coolant and distilled water 50/50 mix.

[280EZRider]

Drain plug removal can often be a major pain. I suggest doing the flush as per MBZ: Remove thermostat (you will probably need to use both old and new seals to keep a water tight housing), get engine temp to normal and run at medium RPM for 5 minutes, let engine cool to about 120f and drain at radiator, repeat process, replace thermostat w/new seal, fill system. Just use plain water unless you know there is rust or crud build-up.

[EricSilver]

I have not flushed my coolant since about 2006 (have paper bag on my head and hanging head in shame). So I am WAY overdue and this method sounds like a simple DIY. If I am interpreting it correctly, I basically need to:

1. Drain at radiator
2. Refill with citric or other flush material and water
3. Drain
4. Repeat 2 & 3
5. Refill with MB coolant

Correct?

# # #

I have clear coolant with some gooey crud on the sides of the expansion tank. I also just cleaned sticky brown residue from the inside-top of the upper radiator hose -- after removing the hose to see why it had a shiny oily film on the outside-top (no other coolant hose does).

The latter is of concern since it is oil and suggests a head gasket leak. I noticed the hose about a year ago and it has not increased. I just wipe it down between oil changes. Worst case: I have a slow leak into the coolant from the front of the engine, at the timing cover. (Everything behind that is dry as dust.)

Also, I once overfilled my coolant and used my topsider to suck some out. It is possible there was back flow of oil into the expansion tank since the amount of oil is small. A similar thing happened when I used the same topsider to siphon excess water from an outdoor aquatic plant container. A very small about of back-flow oil created a sludge that coated the sides of 3-gal container and took an eternity to remove. After the flush I should know what is actually occurring.