i hope my solving something but i think this contradicts zerex coolant and what mercedes says

Engine temperature is controlled by means of a mixture of coolant and water. That mix can very between 40-60%. Mercedes Benz and most other European manufacturers use a special coolant standard known as G05. G05 coolant usually comes in a yellow color and features some unique benefits (hybrid organic, low silicate, phosphate free).

For the most part, vehicles 2002 and later specify a cooling flush every 15 years or 150,000 miles. Mercedes 2001 and earlier are every 3 years. There are exceptions in the transition years. Later production vehicles with 15/150 service interval have a silica gel packet in the coolant reservoir that constantly replenishes the silicate concentration in the Mercedes Benz coolant helping to promote the long life. If you top off with another type of coolant such as OAT (organic acid) or phosphate based you are contaminating the factory coolant system.

so zerex is low silicate. mercedes 02+ theirs a silica gel gacket putting siilcate into the system. now my question is...

does mercedes coolant have more silicate than zerex?

 

Geez, more stupidity from the village idiot. Sammy, do you know how your plain out bad your advice sucks?

Have you seen coolant and the accompanying debris after 3 years in a car? No, I don't think you have, otherwise you would be posting up 15 year coolant absurdity.

Kid, STFU.

 

i dont understand why u always have to call me names. your the kid.

and my not giving advice u dumbass im asking a question

get off the drugs

 

Had you EVER changed coolant, you wouldn't post up advice like you were MB saying they advice a 15 year coolant change? So whose the dumb one here?

No, I don't suffer the fool.

 

omg lol wtf is up with u today?

question was
does mercedes coolant have more silicate than zerex?
freezing and boiling temp diffs

 

My understanding is that the Mercedes coolant OEM is Zerex G-05.

Whereas Zerex G-05 is good for 5 years or 150,000 miles; Mercedes claim coolant is good for 15 years because they use the silica gel pack,.... but then again, these are the same guys who told you your transmission oil is sealed for life and you never need to change your 722.6 transmission oil,.... as long as you're in North America since the exact same transmission oil behave differently in North America and RestOfWorld! So regardless of silica gel pack or not,.... best to flush and change coolant every 5 years.

STFU???,.... oh, Shut The Front Door! Now, everyone go have an oreo and be happy.

 

The Mercedes system is engineered with a special formula as a complete system with the engine, pump, and radiator. Rather than make the car fit the available coolant formulations, Mercedes adjusted their coolant to not only do the job of carrying heat from the engine, but to also retard galvanic reactions in a system with dissimilar metals and aluminum. It the same time, it must prevent the water in the mix from freezing.

15 years is a long time for any water based system, and even with the timed released silica, it is hard to prevent the solution from becoming depleated.

Zerex is a product designed to sell water pumps, thermostats, hoses, head gaskets, & heater cores.

 

i think the pollution in LA is too much for u seacoup

 

Not necessary SeaCoupe. Sammy is completely correct about the 15 year change interval. Please read your maintenance schedule.

 

Zerex is not the OE coolant. Zerex is an OK product that got on to the coolants list in the Daimler Chrysler days for NA. I would change it every 5 years.

BASF makes the OE coolant. It is a controlled silicate formulation that will last 15 years with silicate top up from the silica gel sachet in the surge tank. The primary additive system is non depleting.

As long as the coolant in your system is clear & bright on newer Benz models the coolant is fine up to 15 years.

 

I have long standing issue with the consistent bad advice and info that sammie puts out.

Zeroing in, my issue is not that the coolant can't be used for 15 years. I'm not a fluids engineer. However, I can say that in using the OEM fluid, on year 3, I required a hose change. When I drained my stock OE antifreeze that stuff had so much debris in it that I started doing tranny flushes every 30 odd months. Am I implementing overkill. Perhaps, but 240k miles on a modified M111 pushing a Kleeman kit tells me that my maintenance plans and implementation has its rewards.

There are a number of things that MB USA told us about our cars that have been proven inaccurate. Some noted above.

Its 10:10 in the morning Pacific time. Sammie is still the last guy I would go to for mechanical advice.

Ed

 

Out of interest our company pioneered Carboxylate technology OAT coolants. We even ended up in a patent infringement argument with BASF which was resolved amicably.

Our recommendations across a broad range of applications are.

XYZ is recommended for use out to 750,000 miles/15,000 hours/8 years. If even longer service intervals are desired then the addition of ABC at 500,000 miles/10,000 hours/4 years will extend the service life to 1,000,000 miles/20,000 hours/8 years.

Are we being cautious ~ sure but we clamp at 8 years.

Benz knows it's cooling system componentry well hence their comfort at greater changeout interval.

 

Had my coolant replaced today. replaced it back in Nov. 2011. Did it because it turned rusty. Suspect that the last time the mechanic only used one gallon of MB coolant and the rest water. The manual says it can be as much as 15 quarts or close to four gallons. Used almost 2 gallons of MB. Coolant and almost 2 gallons of distilled water. I will certainly keep my eye on it. No sludge or gunk was found. Added water wetter too both times. Has anyone used the waterless coolant made by Evans? Results?

 

lol seacoup i wasnt recommending anything to anybody. this has to be the second time i said this. i was asking a simple question. dont be hating on the m271. my wrangler would tear up ur m111

 

and glen said 15 years so

maybe the m111 needs to be flushed more than m271 cause of the extra power and iron block

 

Good on you Sammy. The forum would not the the same without you.

 

Glyn,

If you were planning on keeping your car for 15 years how often would you change the MB coolant?

When changing the coolant should we remove the silicate satchel & if so where is it?

I wonder whether MB sell the satchel ?

 

JC ~ I owned my previous car from new for 8 years & never changed coolant. That was a pre silica gel sachet car. The coolant was clear & bright still. I'm a little conservative so I would probably wait for a hose or water pump change or 10 years. The sachet is either in a radiator side tank or in the surge tank. I understand there is a P/N for it.

 

since were on the coolant topic. i replaced my thermostat (german brand) awhile back and temp quickly gets up to 89c and stays their . Only if i idle it will rise above 89c. now the temp needle doesnt move like before. why wouldnt it flucuate anymore?

is it possible this shop put it on wrong?
what would the coolant temp do with no thermostat?

 

Thanks Glyn.

I think it is important to top up over the years with the correct MB coolant & demin water .I top up with about 50 to 80 ml /year to maintain the level.

 

The new thermostat is working better than the old one. Your temp should be consistent.

Generally with no thermostat these cars would run too cold.

 

JC ~ you are adopting a belt & bracers approach & that is fine. For small evapourative loss you can just top up with deionised water. As the water fraction evapourates you are actually concentrating the remaining coolant in the system.

Your method guarantees adequate concentration if you are not checking with a refractometer.

 

The silica gell intrigues me.

I've read about "liquid glass" products sealing head gasket leaks. I read that at least one manufacturer would add this routinely to cooling systems as a preventative measure against head gasket leaks.

I wonder if MB is doing the same?

 

No ~ The silica gel sachet is there purely to top up the silicate level in the coolant. Silicates are abrasive which is why Benz controls them at a very low level.