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View Poll Results: Has this DIY been helpful?
Yes 2 50.00%
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This is a job I would only trust the Dealership with 0 0%
Please stop posting DIY's because you clearly are an idiot. 1 25.00%
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  #1  
Old 04-17-2011, 01:49 AM
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Lightbulb DIY: Mercedes C240 (W203) Radiator Coolant Flush w/ Pictures

Hey guys, just a simple Do it your self guide for doing a coolant flush. I just did this coolant flush today, perhaps it was one of the easiest maintenance jobs I have ever done.

Steps:
1) Buy Coolant/Antifreeze from Mercedes dealer. $28 for the Jug
2) Buy Distilled water from Grocery store (tap water has chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals which are safe for humans but not a Mercedes Radiator...)
3) No need to raise your car, just park on a flat surface and Remove the bottom shield, only 6 screws
4) On the driver side, unscrew the large red plastic drain plug at the bottom of the radiator. Coolant will begin to flow. Then remove cap on reservoir and watch the coolant flush out for about 15 minutes.
5) Tighten the red drain plug shut. Mix your distilled water and coolant and top up from the reservoir. Once it looks filled. Squeeze and Pump the hose on the top of the radiator for a few minutes and watch the bubbles burp up and coolant level decrease. Do this a couple times and top reservoir with more coolant accordingly.
6) Wait 10 minutes, then cap coolant reservoir. Start up the car and take it for the spin. If you burped the radiator properly, no need to top up. Check again after 10 minutes (for the sake of checking).

7) Go to the beer store and buy a case. You have the rest of the day to party.

Attached Thumbnails
DIY: Mercedes C240 (W203) Radiator Coolant Flush w/ Pictures-1.jpg   DIY: Mercedes C240 (W203) Radiator Coolant Flush w/ Pictures-2.jpg   DIY: Mercedes C240 (W203) Radiator Coolant Flush w/ Pictures-3.jpg   DIY: Mercedes C240 (W203) Radiator Coolant Flush w/ Pictures-4.jpg   DIY: Mercedes C240 (W203) Radiator Coolant Flush w/ Pictures-6.jpg  

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Old 04-17-2011, 02:59 AM
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thanks for the write up, but isn't it necessary after filling the coolant reservoir to turn on the engine and turn the heater to max and let the car run for about 15 mins? I'm sure I read this in the Mercedes manual somewhere
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Old 04-18-2011, 11:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsmalley View Post
thanks for the write up, but isn't it necessary after filling the coolant reservoir to turn on the engine and turn the heater to max and let the car run for about 15 mins? I'm sure I read this in the Mercedes manual somewhere
Yes heat or AC either one is a good idea. I usually just turn on the AC and take my car for a spin in the neighborhood. I prefer driving the car around the neighborhood as it speeds up the process of warming the car up and reduces the chance of it overheating if you didn't burp the system properly.
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Old 04-18-2011, 03:06 PM
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You are still leaving a bunch of coolant in the heater core by doing it this way.

I usually do the following:

1. Drain
2. Fill up system with water from garden hose to proper level
3. Run car until warmed up. Watch out as the car will overheat quickly with just water in it! Just heat up to normal operating temp
4. Let cool for a few mins, then drain again
5. Repeat steps 2-4 once more
6. Drain one final time, then refill with the specified amount of coolant. Once you have added the coolant, add water till full.

For example: system capacity is 10l but you can only really drain 8l (there is 2l in the heater core). This means you will drain the 8l in my last step, then add 5l of coolant (assuming you want a 50/50 mix). You now have 2l of water and 5l of coolant. So add 3l of water and you're done.

You really only need to measure the coolant. Figure 50% of your cooling system capacity and add that much coolant. Then just keep adding water till the system is up to the proper level. Make sure to run the car for a minute to "burp" the system before you finalize the level.

I usually underfill the system a bit, then let the car cool off overnight in the garage. Before starting the car the next day, I pop the hood and fill up to the "fill cool" line.
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Old 04-18-2011, 03:13 PM
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Is regular water safe? I keep a gallon of distilled water in my trunk just in case, only .88 cents/per gal.

...Even as I was posting this I realize that I should just keep the actual premixed coolant in my trunk just in case. Maybe I'll keep the water for drinking if I'm ever stranded
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  #6  
Old 04-18-2011, 03:28 PM
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I think unless your car is over 20 years old, doing a water top up and drain flush is not needed, especially if the coolant comes out clean and clear. Mercedes only requires a coolant flush every 15 years or 250 000km. Doing a coolant flush is more so just a preventative action in knowing your cooling system is in good working order.

What I did on my ML and C240 W203 was drain the system. Then pour 4 liters(1 gallon) of distilled water through the system which helps in avoiding leaving any containments of city water may have behind. Wait another 15 minutes, squeeze the top rad hose and force out as much coolant.

I think avoiding tap water is the best course of action.




Quote:
Originally Posted by bhatt View Post
You are still leaving a bunch of coolant in the heater core by doing it this way.

I usually do the following:

1. Drain
2. Fill up system with water from garden hose to proper level
3. Run car until warmed up. Watch out as the car will overheat quickly with just water in it! Just heat up to normal operating temp
4. Let cool for a few mins, then drain again
5. Repeat steps 2-4 once more
6. Drain one final time, then refill with the specified amount of coolant. Once you have added the coolant, add water till full.

For example: system capacity is 10l but you can only really drain 8l (there is 2l in the heater core). This means you will drain the 8l in my last step, then add 5l of coolant (assuming you want a 50/50 mix). You now have 2l of water and 5l of coolant. So add 3l of water and you're done.

You really only need to measure the coolant. Figure 50% of your cooling system capacity and add that much coolant. Then just keep adding water till the system is up to the proper level. Make sure to run the car for a minute to "burp" the system before you finalize the level.

I usually underfill the system a bit, then let the car cool off overnight in the garage. Before starting the car the next day, I pop the hood and fill up to the "fill cool" line.

__________________
My Cars
Mercedes CLS
Mercedes C-Class W203 - All time favorite

R.I.P.
Mercedes C-Class - W202 Lemon
Mercedes ML - Warrior
VW Jetta – Worst Car I ever owned - Alot of problems
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