Would take an MB over those things anyday.
"Check coolant level" Msg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 28
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
I haven't owned an American car since my 1989 Pontiac, which by the way never gave me any problems. Anyhow, take a look at any of the rating services like JD Power, etc and you can see the US Companies have made greater improvements than all but the Koreans...Now if they will just declare bankruptcy and get rid of thier baggage....
Last edited by C300Sport; Jan 8, 2009 at 07:43 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2008 C-300
Check Coolant
I disagree with the previous poster, I have owned many American cars (pre 1989) that NEVER left me stranded or gave any more problems than normal maintenance. this MB is starting to royally make me upset. there's no mechanical problems to speak of but the electrical gremlins this thing has are Unreal!!!! I think the problem is that the American cars have had electrical options since the late 1940's, the Europeans only started to really get involved with "comfort options" in the mid-late '80's and therefore have not fully engineered these options before launching them. Also, the options get more and more complex as time goes on, anyone ever see the self parking Cadillac on the road??? No, probably because of too many such gremlins. Mercedes has always been a great car, but since 2004 they have been going downhill in their quality, even in the S class cars. Having owned the older and newer generation S class cars there is a significant difference in build quality. Anyway, getting to the point of this coolant problem. These cars come with a sealed cooling system, they should not need to be "topped up" for a long time, therefore there must be some sort of defect in this system.
D
D
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Hot coolant expands .Cold coolant contracts. Extra cold coolant contacts a little more. Simply most problems with alarming will be solved with the addition of a little coolant to the "expansion" bottle. By the way a certain amount of coolant ,even in a "closed" system especially at 90 'C plus will evaporate over a period of time. The problem it seems to me is that the owners are too bone idle to check & add a little coolant but rather winge about it on line.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
I've got the message after a week at -40 (didn't use the car) and since then, the message appears every time I start the car, even when the weather is warm. And the car was 2 weeks old.
So after reading this thread, I'll just stop worrying about it.
So after reading this thread, I'll just stop worrying about it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Before you stop worrying about it why not check the coolant level in your coolant expansion tank & add a little if it is low.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 43
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Find the coolant reservoir.Mine is an oval black plastic bottle located on the drivers side .( RHD)
Screw off the top & check level . Should be about 1/2 an inch above the bottom of sensor. ( reservoir about half full).
Top up with MB coolant . Mine required diluting with 50% demineralised water.
The above details are for the 220CDI Diesel. The US petrol vehicles may be different.
A US resident on the forum should confirm these instructions.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37
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Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 120
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From: Long Island, NY
'08 C300 Sport White w/ P2 MM & Pano
Open the bonnet ( hood)& remove plastic engine cover.
Find the coolant reservoir.Mine is an oval black plastic bottle located on the drivers side .( RHD)
Screw off the top & check level . Should be about 1/2 an inch above the bottom of sensor. ( reservoir about half full).
Top up with MB coolant . Mine required diluting with 50% demineralised water.
The above details are for the 220CDI Diesel. The US petrol vehicles may be different.
A US resident on the forum should confirm these instructions.
Find the coolant reservoir.Mine is an oval black plastic bottle located on the drivers side .( RHD)
Screw off the top & check level . Should be about 1/2 an inch above the bottom of sensor. ( reservoir about half full).
Top up with MB coolant . Mine required diluting with 50% demineralised water.
The above details are for the 220CDI Diesel. The US petrol vehicles may be different.
A US resident on the forum should confirm these instructions.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
The level dropping 2 inches in the expansion tank is not even close to 1/4 or 1/3 of the total coolant level.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
My black plastic engine cover ( 220 CDI) is held down by four rubber cups. To remove it is just a matter of carefully lifting the cover at the corners. US owners please confirm this is so with your petrol engines.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 107
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From: Belgium
Mercedes S204 C320 CDI
You, in another hand, I would look for the cause of the message you're getting...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,078
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From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
You added WHAT?2005+ c classes (w203/204) have a very special coolant system with a 15 year life. This is achieved with a special gel pack inside the coolant reservoir that adds chemicals to the coolant over time.
You can only use MB coolant (or Zerex G-05 which is the same thing, just not MB branded.) Prestone is a totally different formula and is likely to cause problems in the long run being mixed with Zerex.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
C-300, XC70, Wrangler
Driving in Victoria BC this weekend, my C gave me the Coolant message. It was warm (70 F or so) so the message was "real." This morning I stopped into the MB dealer there and had the car checked. All they did was add water. Tap water. The SA said that was the best thing to add because adding some other anti-freeze formula would be "mixing chemicals" and bad for the car.
I put over 200 miles on it today after that without problems. But, I will have to have the coolant checked before winter to ensure I can drive it in 0F weather.
I put over 200 miles on it today after that without problems. But, I will have to have the coolant checked before winter to ensure I can drive it in 0F weather.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Driving in Victoria BC this weekend, my C gave me the Coolant message. It was warm (70 F or so) so the message was "real." This morning I stopped into the MB dealer there and had the car checked. All they did was add water. Tap water. The SA said that was the best thing to add because adding some other anti-freeze formula would be "mixing chemicals" and bad for the car.
I put over 200 miles on it today after that without problems. But, I will have to have the coolant checked before winter to ensure I can drive it in 0F weather.
I put over 200 miles on it today after that without problems. But, I will have to have the coolant checked before winter to ensure I can drive it in 0F weather.
The good thing is that it was probably only a few fluid oz.& should not have any detrimental effects.
As this model seems to be sensitive about the coolant level I would recommend a small keeping a small container of ready to add MB coolant in the boot or check your level before leaving town.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
I strongly recommend buying your coolant from the MB dealer. You will use so little so the cost is not a factor & you will be sure that it is not adding any chemicals that are not compatable. Make sure that you dilute it, if required ,to the correct consistency with demineralised water.
Having the incorrect Ph & corrosion inhibitors in your coolant water can cause expensive problems with your radiator , head & block.
My 220 CDI does not require a coolant change for 15 years or 250,000 km so the correct top up is most important.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
2009 Mercedes Benz C350 CDi
Hi Guys,
I had the same message appear on my C350CDi this week. My car is only a month old. Dropped into the dealer and my coolant wasn't down. They said keep an eye on it as it could be a faulty sensor. Has only happened once and not in the last few days!..
I had the same message appear on my C350CDi this week. My car is only a month old. Dropped into the dealer and my coolant wasn't down. They said keep an eye on it as it could be a faulty sensor. Has only happened once and not in the last few days!..
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Under the Eternal Sun
M37S
You added WHAT?2005+ c classes (w203/204) have a very special coolant system with a 15 year life. This is achieved with a special gel pack inside the coolant reservoir that adds chemicals to the coolant over time.
You can only use MB coolant (or Zerex G-05 which is the same thing, just not MB branded.) Prestone is a totally different formula and is likely to cause problems in the long run being mixed with Zerex.
http://www.valvoline.com/products/co.../antifreeze/42
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 4
From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
where do you buy it? Im assuming this is the stuff right here gold bottle...
http://www.valvoline.com/products/co.../antifreeze/42
http://www.valvoline.com/products/co.../antifreeze/42
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Under the Eternal Sun
M37S
