n1ml

I have a 2002 E Class, E320 with the original antifreeze. I ordered one gallon of Mercedes specified antifreeze. It appears to be sort of a clear type color. The antifreeze in the car from the factory appears to be a blue/green type color. Am I missing something here? I would think they should be the same. Any ideas?
Thanks

Mark

RichardM98

The MB (OE Part BQ 1 03 0002 MB Spec 325.0) antifreeze I bought from autohausaz produced a light straw color when diluted 50:50. And that was the color of the coolant I drained out.

While some manufacturers have attempted to use color as an indicator of type I'm not sure there is any universal rule. And as anyone with a little chemistry knows, you can make it any color you want.

If your concerned you could mix up a little of the new antifreeze to 50:50 and add about 20% from the car's coolant in a clear container. [Based on a radiator drain only getting out about 80%.] Any serious incompatibilities should be visible as cloudiness, precipitate, etc.

Many out here use Zerex G-05 as a factory substitute. Not sure of the color of that.

Good luck.

MBtech1098

Same stuff

n1ml

I got my antifreeze from the same place, Autohause Arizona. Guess I'm OK. Thanks for the help. I like to change out 1 gallon every few years. According to a real smart chemist that I knew, changing it out helps with the corrortion inhibitors. That is the only part of the glycol that does break down over time. A gallon keeps the inhibitors up to peak.

Red66GT

If your 02 has the original antifreeze, then you've probably got problems. Should be flushed at least every 3 yrs (edit!). You want the MB antifreeze from the dealer, or you want Zerex G05.

tirona

in the usa there is no green coolant approved for mb, so if you live in usa flush ALL old coolant out and replace it with golden/orange color mb coolant (or zerex g05). also prestone makes a universal coolant that is supposed to be compatible with all coolants. in other parts of world there are mb approved coolants that are blue, pink, purple or red, but in the usa most likely the only approved coolant you will find is the mb coolant, zerex g05, and the prestone universal (yellow color).

01BlackE320

The MB or Zerex G05 is like a light beer color and it lasts a lot longer then a year. If your coolant is blue or green, then someone put in the wrong stuff. You should flust the entire system and fill with the correct fluid.

RichardM98

Service cycle on coolant for MY1998 (others?) is 3 years. See Service Booklet in OM kit for details.

n1ml

I took out the old stuff and put in the new antifreeze that is the color described above, made by/for Mercedes. How full do I fill the reservoir on the side where the pressure cap is? Does it get filled to the top or should there be some air space?
Thanks

Semikolon

It should be some room for expansion. That's why it's called expansion reservoir

Fill so that you cover that "plate" inside. After you have driven the car for a while, check the level again. You may have to add some more.

Semikolon

Just to add some info on the coolant.

On newer models the service interval is 15 years/250 000km. I think this is from not long after 2000 or something. At least I have that interval on my cars (delivered 05 dec 2000 and july 2001).
This interval is ONLY (ONLY!) with the use of ORIGINAL MB FLUID, as it has some additives designed for the cooling system.

The original coolant in Europe at least is blue/green.

You can read more about this here: https://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/Sta...iFreeDec04.pdf

Musikmann

Europe is different than the USA. My 2001 E320 requires a change every 3 years. I don't know when the US Mercedes recommendation was raised to 15 years but it is on the newest ones. I don't remember how many miles it is good for now.

RichardM98

When the engine is cold, take off the cap and look straight down. The little indicator 'tab' is located just off center at the 9 o'clock position assuming you are standing on the right side of the car. If it's overfilled it's hard to see. On my tank the top half is black and the bottom half is translucent. That tab is located at the junction of the black and translucent at the rear of the tank. Level is not super critical like transmission or engine oil.

MBtech1098

In the US, it changed to 15 years or 150k mi. Model year 2004, little earlier or later dependent upon model. The coolant did not change, just the interval.

RichardM98

My Service Manual DVD has OMs for all W210. The change occurred in 2003 for E320 wagon. 2002 E320 was 3 years and 2003 E320 wagon was 15 yrs or 150K mi as you said. Same fluid.

So it looks like the 2003 E320 wagon (W210) may have had W211 cooling system.

Thanks for the update.

01BlackE320

I doubt it. It's more likely that MB either decided to, or was mandated to be kinder to the environment. Antifreeze is a nasty pollutant.

RichardM98

Since there was no change in the MB coolant how is that relevant?

Figuero

By going from a 3 year to a 15 year cycle the amount of discarded antifreeze in the envrionment is reduced by 80%.

Figuero

Of course the amount of discarded cooling systems and engines probably goes up....

RichardM98

Please take your spent coolant to a household hazardous waste collection site in your county where it can be recycled or incinerated. Bigger counties have continuous collection and smaller ones have 'roundups' periodically. If your county doesn't have something check with one of the auto parts stores. Ohlord mentioned they take it as well.

tirona

personally i won't replace the coolant less than every 5-6 years, in my personal opinion is a waste. i have a coolant tester and i test it once a year before winter to check if freeze protection is ok. i'm not recommending this to anyone, just my opinion so please don't get mad at me for not following mb recomendation.

Musikmann

Thanks to MBtech1098 for the info.

And to those who said this is an Eco-Friendly decision: For at least 3 years, MB has been conducting an online survey supposedly designed to help guide them in developing future modifications and features. I was asked to participate and have for those 3 years. The one area they are really hammering is the environmental thing.

Musikmann

Tirona, I am mad at you! But seriously, yours is a good idea. I would appreciate it if you would mention which coolant tester you are using. I know we can buy dipsticks and compare color change to a chart, but what do you use please?

Red66GT

This thread has popped a few other questions in my head. In my 89 mustang, I have aluminum heads, aluminum radiator, and iron block.

Can I run the Zerex G-05 in it?
Would this mean I could probably get away with chaning the fluid less frequently (3yrs or more)?

Also, what kind of tester is a good one to buy? The one's I see only determine boiling point and freezing point for your mix. What kind of tester tells you whether or not your coolant is "good" or "bad"?

Thanks!

RichardM98

I think you make a good point. Everyone should be able to share information and opinions without feeling they'll get 'dumped' on. It's your car AND your money and you should feel free to do what you think is best. The manufacturers are highly motivated to recommend what are very conservative service cycles since we are paying the bill and it protects them from warranty claims.