Check Coolant - Problem
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
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From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Check Coolant - Problem
I took my car out to wash it about 1 hour ago. On the way back my check coolant showed up as a malfunction. I thought maybe because I've only driven my car 4 times since I took it out again because i stored it for winter. I come home open the hood and the engine is steaming from the top driver side. I look underneath the car and its leaking coolant. I check the coolant there is nothing in there. Anybody know what happened? And can I drive it to the dealer on Monday?
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From: Royal Oak, Michigan
Moped
chemistry 101:
car was stored for winter = rubber parts get harder
run the car after a long time = cold hard rubber reacts to heat = cracks/breaks rubber
solution:
inspect other rubber parts and replace what needs to be replaced.
car was stored for winter = rubber parts get harder
run the car after a long time = cold hard rubber reacts to heat = cracks/breaks rubber
solution:
inspect other rubber parts and replace what needs to be replaced.
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A box on 4 wheels
I took my car out to wash it about 1 hour ago. On the way back my check coolant showed up as a malfunction. I thought maybe because I've only driven my car 4 times since I took it out again because i stored it for winter. I come home open the hood and the engine is steaming from the top driver side. I look underneath the car and its leaking coolant. I check the coolant there is nothing in there. Anybody know what happened? And can I drive it to the dealer on Monday?
This occurred for my car just a week ago so I can be of some help.
Don't bother driving it to the dealership, it will not be covered under warranty because coolant tube is considered a "hose / belt" which normally will break from normal wear and tear.
Do not drive your car anywhere, you will void your warranty if you damage your engine.
If you decide to have the dealership fix it, the bill will be around $300. If you have an independent shop do it for you, it may run you from $70-$120. Or if your lucky the service manager might just have it covered under warranty
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I presume that there is no chance the cooling system froze during winter?
Remember to refill the system with a 50/50% mix of MB genuine coolant.
If it popped off & did not break off it's OK to refit & clamp. From the pic it looks as though it popped off - why? that's why I ask if the system froze - fit a new clamp - dont reuse the Benz one. Good luck
Remember to refill the system with a 50/50% mix of MB genuine coolant.
If it popped off & did not break off it's OK to refit & clamp. From the pic it looks as though it popped off - why? that's why I ask if the system froze - fit a new clamp - dont reuse the Benz one. Good luck
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
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From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Alright guys thanks for the responses. Now if I do just reclamp the hose and refill the coolant (there isnt any left in the resevoir) do i have to bleed the air from the coolant system? I also checked if any of the leaked coolant has oil in it and it seems it is all just a clear consistancy with no oil.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
I presume that there is no chance the cooling system froze during winter?
Remember to refill the system with a 50/50% mix of MB genuine coolant.
If it popped off & did not break off it's OK to refit & clamp. From the pic it looks as though it popped off - why? that's why I ask if the system froze - fit a new clamp - dont reuse the Benz one. Good luck
Remember to refill the system with a 50/50% mix of MB genuine coolant.
If it popped off & did not break off it's OK to refit & clamp. From the pic it looks as though it popped off - why? that's why I ask if the system froze - fit a new clamp - dont reuse the Benz one. Good luck
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
No...the reservoir is higher than the block. But to be sure, fill....warm up engine....top off if necessary. Use the correct coolant.....5 yr. al block motor compatible.
Last edited by mleskovar; May 2, 2009 at 10:45 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
I'm a rookie dealing with this stuff so bare with me. I checked online on what kind of coolant to use on my car but with no luck. Can I buy the coolant at an autozone or auto store of any kind, or do I have to buy it from the dealer? Also, is it ok if I start the car to reverse it out of the garage with no coolant in it so I can fix the hose or will that cause problems?
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From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
I'm a rookie dealing with this stuff so bare with me. I checked online on what kind of coolant to use on my car but with no luck. Can I buy the coolant at an autozone or auto store of any kind, or do I have to buy it from the dealer? Also, is it ok if I start the car to reverse it out of the garage with no coolant in it so I can fix the hose or will that cause problems?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
There's a booklet that comes with the car that lists fluid requirements. Basically it requires an extended life coolant, 5 yr/150K miles, and chemicals that make it aluminum friendly for modern motors. Not hard to find and usually available at the local auto parts store. And yea, moving the car on its' own for a couple of feet is ok.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
I just wanted to let you guys know that I fixed the problem 2 days ago. I went to the dealership and got a gallon of MB coolant, diluted it 50/50 and refilled the resevoir. My car takes 5.9 quarts and I added exactly 4 quarts to the resevoir. The rest must have still been in the radiator. Car runs really good now, I was getting about 29.3 mpg last night so everything seems to be working great (knock on wood). Now I'm thinking that the hose that popped off of the heater core due to the clamp not being installed correctly was from service that was done to my engine a few years ago. I was looking at some of my service receipts and when there was major work done on my engine (replacing cylinder head, removing supercharger, replacing wire harness, replacing O2 sensors) the description read that a hose was removed and then reclamped.....Looks like they never clamped it back on right. It's crazy how that could happen. Eh, at least I fixed it.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
I just wanted to let you guys know that I fixed the problem 2 days ago. I went to the dealership and got a gallon of MB coolant, diluted it 50/50 and refilled the resevoir. My car takes 5.9 quarts and I added exactly 4 quarts to the resevoir. The rest must have still been in the radiator. Car runs really good now, I was getting about 29.3 mpg last night so everything seems to be working great (knock on wood). Now I'm thinking that the hose that popped off of the heater core due to the clamp not being installed correctly was from service that was done to my engine a few years ago. I was looking at some of my service receipts and when there was major work done on my engine (replacing cylinder head, removing supercharger, replacing wire harness, replacing O2 sensors) the description read that a hose was removed and then reclamped.....Looks like they never clamped it back on right. It's crazy how that could happen. Eh, at least I fixed it.
Glad to hear you got your car running
