antifreeze flush
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Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 114
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From: Washington, the State
1993 300CE Sportline
antifreeze flush
Got the genuine MB antifreeze. Any special tricks or considerations to draining and refill?
Over the yrs I've done a couple of different things, no idea if one is better than the other. I've opened drain spout and when it is finished dripping added straight water and filled/drained/filled and then drove around a few days. Then drained, figuring that is a VERY simple approach to flushing the old fluid out. Then filled with the 50/50 mixture. Or: drained and then added 50/50 mix: doesn't seem to get all the old out. Any other thoughts or processes ot there?
Thanks!
Kurt
1993 300CE Sportline
ps: I'm new to this forum and enjoying the thoughtful and polite feedback
Over the yrs I've done a couple of different things, no idea if one is better than the other. I've opened drain spout and when it is finished dripping added straight water and filled/drained/filled and then drove around a few days. Then drained, figuring that is a VERY simple approach to flushing the old fluid out. Then filled with the 50/50 mixture. Or: drained and then added 50/50 mix: doesn't seem to get all the old out. Any other thoughts or processes ot there?
Thanks!
Kurt
1993 300CE Sportline
ps: I'm new to this forum and enjoying the thoughtful and polite feedback
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
There are a number of methods. I just wanted to point out a few things.
One is that your engine block has drain plugs. Draining from there and the radiator will get a lot of fluid out.
The other is to keep the amount of tap water in the cooling system down to a minimum. Instead, use distilled, deionized, or demineralized water for the makeup water. I flush with tap water, but then I drain and displace as much of the tap water as possible, using deionized water (which I get free on tap at work).
Once everything is flushed out, I refill with the proper amount of antifreeze - calculated from the published cooling capacity of my car - then top off with DI water.
Don't forget to drain the overflow tank. I use a length of hose to siphon it out.
One is that your engine block has drain plugs. Draining from there and the radiator will get a lot of fluid out.
The other is to keep the amount of tap water in the cooling system down to a minimum. Instead, use distilled, deionized, or demineralized water for the makeup water. I flush with tap water, but then I drain and displace as much of the tap water as possible, using deionized water (which I get free on tap at work).
Once everything is flushed out, I refill with the proper amount of antifreeze - calculated from the published cooling capacity of my car - then top off with DI water.
Don't forget to drain the overflow tank. I use a length of hose to siphon it out.
Last edited by Kestas; Mar 24, 2006 at 04:42 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 800
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From: Northern Cali
W124
It's also good practice to use distilled water when making your solution since its only a buck something at the supermarket. After I've drained everything I take my (cleaned out) shop vac or a compressor and push out any excess water in the radiator out by making a seal over the filler neck on the reservoir w/ my hands. I let the air push out any excess water, coolant or radiator flush that may remain.
