Coolant Change
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood North
CLK 55 ///AMG Cabrio, ML63 ///AMG
I've done this many times in GM cars, but is there a special procedure for the MBs?
Also, anyone change their thermostat while changing the coolant?
My car seems to rum as hot as 229o F in extreme traffic. I wouldn't minde seeing if I can get a cooler thermostat for it. Anyone know if that exists?
Also, anyone change their thermostat while changing the coolant?
My car seems to rum as hot as 229o F in extreme traffic. I wouldn't minde seeing if I can get a cooler thermostat for it. Anyone know if that exists?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
The coolant change is easy. Drop the lower cover and open the radiator drain. The radiator drain is on the driver's side. Ignore the block plug. The block plug is hard to find and if opened, nothing will come out if the radiator is drained.
The thermostat is simple and doing it with a coolant change makes sense. Two bolts and a big circular seal is all that's to it.
The thermostat is simple and doing it with a coolant change makes sense. Two bolts and a big circular seal is all that's to it.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood North
CLK 55 ///AMG Cabrio, ML63 ///AMG
Thanks Marcus. Any idea on the "burping" procedure - i.e. getting air out of the system.
Is it something like this:
- Drain coolant from system
- Fill at radiator until coolant reaches top of radiator neck
- leave radiator cap off and start car
- watch as coolant level drops and add coolant as it drops
- allow car to reach operating temp and continue to fill as required
- when car reaches operating temp, close rad cap
Is that basically how it's done properly?
Is it something like this:
- Drain coolant from system
- Fill at radiator until coolant reaches top of radiator neck
- leave radiator cap off and start car
- watch as coolant level drops and add coolant as it drops
- allow car to reach operating temp and continue to fill as required
- when car reaches operating temp, close rad cap
Is that basically how it's done properly?
The coolant change is easy. Drop the lower cover and open the radiator drain. The radiator drain is on the driver's side. Ignore the block plug. The block plug is hard to find and if opened, nothing will come out if the radiator is drained.
The thermostat is simple and doing it with a coolant change makes sense. Two bolts and a big circular seal is all that's to it.
The thermostat is simple and doing it with a coolant change makes sense. Two bolts and a big circular seal is all that's to it.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
The radiator doesn't have a cap or a neck, but there's a coolant reservoir on the passenger side of the engine. You’ll have to remove that cap when you drain the radiator. That’s also where you’ll refill the system. The rest was correct; after refilling leave the cap off, restart the car, turn the AC on max to speed the warm up process, and add more coolant as it drops. I typically take my car for a short drive to ensure it’s good and hot. When I pull back into the garage, I turn the heater on max heat and then check the coolant level while it’s running. Turning the heater on will open the duovalve, which may drop the level a little bit more. After that, you’re done. You may want to check it again in a few days to see if the level has dropped.
I’ve never had to burp my CLK. The reservoir is the highest spot in the cooling system so the air bubbles end up there.
I’ve never had to burp my CLK. The reservoir is the highest spot in the cooling system so the air bubbles end up there.
Thanks Marcus. Any idea on the "burping" procedure - i.e. getting air out of the system.
Is it something like this:
- Drain coolant from system
- Fill at radiator until coolant reaches top of radiator neck
- leave radiator cap off and start car
- watch as coolant level drops and add coolant as it drops
- allow car to reach operating temp and continue to fill as required
- when car reaches operating temp, close rad cap
Is that basically how it's done properly?
Is it something like this:
- Drain coolant from system
- Fill at radiator until coolant reaches top of radiator neck
- leave radiator cap off and start car
- watch as coolant level drops and add coolant as it drops
- allow car to reach operating temp and continue to fill as required
- when car reaches operating temp, close rad cap
Is that basically how it's done properly?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 212
From: Boston North Shore
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
T[COLOR=black]You’ll have to remove that cap when you drain the radiator. That’s also where you’ll refill the system. The rest was correct; after refilling leave the cap off, restart the car, turn the AC on max to speed the warm up process, and add more coolant as it drops. I typically take my car for a short drive to ensure it’s good and hot. When I pull back into the garage, I turn the heater on max heat and then check the coolant level while it’s running. Turning the heater on will open the duovalve, which may drop the level a little bit more. After that, you’re done. You may want to check it again in a few days to see if the level has dropped.
Before draining, warm up the system with the heater at maximun (opens duo valve and therostat). This gets out more of the old collant.
