Engine Coolant Light ON: 1997 C280 problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
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MB C280
Engine Coolant Light ON: 1997 C280 problem
Hello guys,
Big problem, my engine coolant light was on 2 months ago, I assumed it was engine coolant running low, and I went to an independent for a coolant flush, and coolant refill. I brought in my own Mercedes Coolant (from dealer months ago, 1 Gallon), and telling them to only fill in this coolant. Afterall, it was ok for a day or two, then the engine coolant light turned on again.
At first I really suspected that they didn't fill up my coolant tank, or they might have replaced it with some other cheap coolant. Possible? and How many gallons does 1997 MB C280 takes?? (I remember the dealer told me once that 1 gallon of full antifreezer equals to actual 2 gallons, cuz it has to be mixed with another 1 gallon of water.)
I kept driving on it for another month, and still the engine coolant light was on and off everyday. Another noticably thing is that the engine temp went up to 90 or 95 sometimes, and the engine revving hard even at idle . This time I went to the MB dealer and bought another 1 gallon of coolant, and I refilled it by myself, amazingly the coolant tank looks almost empty!! (how did that happen in my 1 month), filling up full last week, and the light went off for another day. After a while, I was shocked that it looked like some of the liquid (coolant) dripping all over underneath the car.
Do I really have a coolant leak (like some broken hoses)? and What can I really do at this point? cuz I'm really afraid that it may overheat my engine.
Need various advises. Thank you.
Big problem, my engine coolant light was on 2 months ago, I assumed it was engine coolant running low, and I went to an independent for a coolant flush, and coolant refill. I brought in my own Mercedes Coolant (from dealer months ago, 1 Gallon), and telling them to only fill in this coolant. Afterall, it was ok for a day or two, then the engine coolant light turned on again.
At first I really suspected that they didn't fill up my coolant tank, or they might have replaced it with some other cheap coolant. Possible? and How many gallons does 1997 MB C280 takes?? (I remember the dealer told me once that 1 gallon of full antifreezer equals to actual 2 gallons, cuz it has to be mixed with another 1 gallon of water.)
I kept driving on it for another month, and still the engine coolant light was on and off everyday. Another noticably thing is that the engine temp went up to 90 or 95 sometimes, and the engine revving hard even at idle
. This time I went to the MB dealer and bought another 1 gallon of coolant, and I refilled it by myself, amazingly the coolant tank looks almost empty!! (how did that happen in my 1 month), filling up full last week, and the light went off for another day. After a while, I was shocked that it looked like some of the liquid (coolant) dripping all over underneath the car.Do I really have a coolant leak (like some broken hoses)? and What can I really do at this point? cuz I'm really afraid that it may overheat my engine.
Need various advises. Thank you.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
may be your leaking coolant somewhere? you could do a pressure test on the system to make sure no leakage is happening.
as for the temp, it's normal for MB engines to run a little hotter...if you sitting in traffic with the A/C or HVAC running on a warm day. As long as it's not near the red, your all set. No worries about overheating, as it's normal for the temp to be higher and the AUX fans in the front will kick in at higher temps to cool the engine down.
check the manual for coolant tank/refill size/amount.
as for the temp, it's normal for MB engines to run a little hotter...if you sitting in traffic with the A/C or HVAC running on a warm day. As long as it's not near the red, your all set. No worries about overheating, as it's normal for the temp to be higher and the AUX fans in the front will kick in at higher temps to cool the engine down.
check the manual for coolant tank/refill size/amount.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8
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MB C280
Thank you both for the replies.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge of cars, so the leaking that comes from "water pump" that I should replace a new one to it or to get it fixed? How much would it cost for a water pump?
I've looked at the engine front parts, I saw some coolants (orange color) around somewhere there, it does look like a crazy spill.
I'm planning to bring it in to the MB dealer, but I'd like to know the cost of it first.
Thank you.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge of cars, so the leaking that comes from "water pump" that I should replace a new one to it or to get it fixed? How much would it cost for a water pump?
I've looked at the engine front parts, I saw some coolants (orange color) around somewhere there, it does look like a crazy spill.
I'm planning to bring it in to the MB dealer, but I'd like to know the cost of it first.
Thank you.
