Radiator drain will not drain coolant?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Radiator drain will not drain coolant?
Hello,
Trying to install serpentine I removed the upper hoes that goes to the radiator and dropped some coolant saw it was super dirty so decided to flush it ...
I turned the valve under the radiator counter clockwise and nothing came out? My cap is off at the top? Does that mean there is no water in it??
Thanks I'm advance for the help. Though this was weird..
Trying to install serpentine I removed the upper hoes that goes to the radiator and dropped some coolant saw it was super dirty so decided to flush it ...
I turned the valve under the radiator counter clockwise and nothing came out? My cap is off at the top? Does that mean there is no water in it??
Thanks I'm advance for the help. Though this was weird..
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Michael Hamze (12-25-2017)
#2
Newbie
I had the same issue with my 2012.
The drain valve is 2-stage, and quite hard to turn the second stage. It was so tight I thought it was going to break. You can be a little brutal.
The drain valve is 2-stage, and quite hard to turn the second stage. It was so tight I thought it was going to break. You can be a little brutal.
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Michael Hamze (12-25-2017)
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by INOV8N
I had the same issue with my 2012.
The drain valve is 2-stage, and quite hard to turn the second stage. It was so tight I thought it was going to break. You can be a little brutal.
The drain valve is 2-stage, and quite hard to turn the second stage. It was so tight I thought it was going to break. You can be a little brutal.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Is there more to this story?
Because I remember your first post being about an empty coolant tank reservoir. Just curious as to why there is so much interest between you, and coolant, and the fact you have an 09...
Because I remember your first post being about an empty coolant tank reservoir. Just curious as to why there is so much interest between you, and coolant, and the fact you have an 09...
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by PurpleHeartAMG
Is there more to this story?
Because I remember your first post being about an empty coolant tank reservoir. Just curious as to why there is so much interest between you, and coolant, and the fact you have an 09...
Because I remember your first post being about an empty coolant tank reservoir. Just curious as to why there is so much interest between you, and coolant, and the fact you have an 09...
I don't get it.. and I though it was the power steer fluid reservoir?
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
My bad, you're right. For some reason I was thinking we went on about the coolant reservoir (got lost in, well, everything else that went on in that thread)
And 09 would be relevant with coolant because it's a pre facelift and subject to bad headbolts which would lead to coolant issues.
And 09 would be relevant with coolant because it's a pre facelift and subject to bad headbolts which would lead to coolant issues.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by PurpleHeartAMG
My bad, you're right. For some reason I was thinking we went on about the coolant reservoir (got lost in, well, everything else that went on in that thread)
And 09 would be relevant with coolant because it's a pre facelift and subject to bad headbolts which would lead to coolant issues.
And 09 would be relevant with coolant because it's a pre facelift and subject to bad headbolts which would lead to coolant issues.
And your right I had my bolts done when I just got the car, cost me like 3 grand and covered some other little issues but they said it should be solid now, let's hope that's true..
I couldn't open the valve and still can't I need to find a way to get some small pliers in there..
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#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
If you had your bolts done, didn't they replace the coolant then?
The drain does feel like you're going to break it. Channel lock pliers give you good leverage.
The drain does feel like you're going to break it. Channel lock pliers give you good leverage.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
If you had your bolts done, didn't they replace the coolant then?
The drain does feel like you're going to break it. Channel lock pliers give you good leverage.
The drain does feel like you're going to break it. Channel lock pliers give you good leverage.
Yup it's almost impossible with the fingers I just tried it again and you can't get a good grip on it and I can even brake a finger just putting so much pressure and it won't even budge . I have some small slim channel locks at work so waiting till Monday now.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
Yes, they had to drain it. Why don't you find out if they used new coolant so you don't waste time and money changing it again?
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
I know the thing is that I dropped a lot you know, that's the only reason why I am even messing with it .. or else I wouldn't even of touched it with .. but when I saw the coolant it was like more water than yellow.. and it had like a lot a lot of dust so I decided to just do the flush but wasn't successful because of that 2-stage valve..plus the new coolant I got is blue now?? Why was the one in there yellow right? I mean they probably just put any random fluid in there..
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
I'm not entirely sure what you just wrote but sounds like they used an after market coolant. It could be fine but a flush with OEM isn't a big deal.
The only reason I'm even messing with the coolant is In the first post I submitted.
Last edited by amgone63; 03-26-2017 at 09:31 PM.
#14
I too thought my Coolant Drain wasn't working as I was preparing to take out my Heads to get rebuilt. I used a 5/8 size clear hose (Home Depot) and stay tied it to the drain hole which protrudes from the bottom driver side front radiator. The tab that you turn counter-clockwise to open the valve seems to stop at a quarter turn. And yes it's very difficult to get a finger grip on it so I used needle hose vice grips and a shop towel to protect the tab and while rotating back and forth to that quarter turn stop I found that if you pull out on the tab while turning counter clockwise it opens that valve, just be ready with the drain hose in a bucket to collect the coolant and open up the reservoir. There are two recessed Allen bolts on each side of the engine you can unscrew to release coolant from the cylinder block. Passenger on is in clear view but the driver side one is a head scratcher???
#16
Super Member
Having bad experiences with the drains on other cars (never did a MB that I can recall) I either siphon the water out, or just pull the lower hose. Often the petcock has crud and won't drain, and sometimes it doesn't want to close up and leaks. I assume crud blocking it? Then there's some that break, or I twist the T handle off the valve, so I just don't bother trying to use those things anymore.
As for the yellow and blue coolant, there are some threads here about that, and what coolant you can and cannot mix. It can get confusing but apparently the wrong combo can cause the coolant to gel? Which is obviously a bad thing. Here's some links that may be of some help on the subject:
https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-pick...t-for-your-car
https://valvolineglobal.com/en-eur/a...about-coolants
Plus this chart I got from somewhere:
As for the yellow and blue coolant, there are some threads here about that, and what coolant you can and cannot mix. It can get confusing but apparently the wrong combo can cause the coolant to gel? Which is obviously a bad thing. Here's some links that may be of some help on the subject:
https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-pick...t-for-your-car
https://valvolineglobal.com/en-eur/a...about-coolants
Plus this chart I got from somewhere:
#17
Please explain the second stage
nothing comes out.
does it turn further?
#19
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dattorob (05-20-2024)
#21