zheka

I'm reaching close to 160K miles, and coolant hasn't been replaced since I bought (at 100K miles), and now once in awhile, I get check coolant notification on the dashboard. I did fill up my washer fluid just in case(cause I read somewhere they use the same sensor or something).

Reading around, I found out Zerex G-05 is the MB approed coolant.

My question is: Should I get the Full Strength coolant, or the other one which is 50/50?

Here are both links to PepBoys
http://www.pepboys.com/product/detai...98/?quantity=1
http://www.pepboys.com/product/detai...98/?quantity=1

Tacjam

50/50 make sure you use distilled water if mixing yourself, you should probably flush and refill...Anti freeze should be changed every two years, what I do each May is drain what's in the reservoir and radiator (which is about 2 gallons, 1 gallon of distilled water and 1 gallon Zerex -05) After 60k with no maintenance, I would flush the entire system. If you're just topping off...the 50/50 mixed is easier than mixing it yourself, at the end of the day, both bottles in the links you provided should end up the same mixture.

Plutoe

You must have had a bad dream, the washer fluid level sensor HAS nothing to do with engine coolant temp sensor.

Additionally make sure the coolant meets MB specs, if the stuff is red blue or green forget it, it does not meet specs!! You will quickly find out why!!

zheka

Possibly lol

How do I know the color required for my Benz? And how do I know the color of this coolant? Doing research on it, I didn't see anybody mention about different color, but all say safe to use Zerex G-05

Here is a bigger picture of the coolant bottle

http://www.outdoorpros.com/images/pr...2419-96012.jpg

Plutoe

The only important issue is ---------does the coolant meet MB spec!!

FYI: Typically the correct fluid is almost clear with a yellow tint----read the label

Figuero

Zerex G05 meets the specs. As far as the 50/50 stuff it all depends on how much you are willing to pay for distilled water. Adding your own water is almost always the most cost effective. You just have to make sure of your mixture. 50:50 is minimum and just fine for Florida. Very important - If you are using 50:50 you have to make sure you get all of the water out after you flush the system. Otherwise you dilute the 50:50. Which is another reason to use the full strength and mix your own.

If you were in the great north, I'd go closer to 60:40. In which case you have to mix your own.

In any event, don't put a lot of faith in those cheap testers unless you calibrate it with a known mixure of true 50:50.

zheka

Looks like I will need about 5 liters of coolant, and 5 liters of water. (According to manual, I need 10 liters of coolant or 10.6 quarts). What order do I fill, to mix? Do I fill 1 jug of coolant, then jug of water? Or fill at the same time?

Tacjam

I get 1 gallon jug of water and 1 gallon jug of coolant, poor both into a clean bucket, poor into reservoir ...I think you should go to a local shop to get it done, it just sounds like you really don't have any idea how to properly flush the system? Remove thermostat, engine block plug ect..after that you can just do the yearly reservoir radiator drain which is really easy.

zheka

Can I just drain from the radiator? And then fill it up?

Tacjam

You'd only get 2 gallons out that way, you'd also not clean the engine block cooling passages doing it like that, once you get it flushed, you can do it like that yearly and that will keep the system clean. I recommend a flush, then a good maintenance schedule. The proper way to do it, pull the thermostat out, find the engine block plug, remove it, open up radiator at the drain plug, flush with fresh water at the thermostat until clean water water comes out of the block...install block plug, new thermostat, fill from reservoir, turn engine on, turn heat on high then keep filling up system until its full, remember the car must be full with the engine running at normal operating temp with heater on. <---best way, optional way, drain radiator (make sure to take reservoir cap off) fill with distilled water (about two gallons) run engine with heater turned on high until engine gets to normal temp (heater blowing hot air) shut it down, drain from bottom of radiator (repeat 4 times or until nothing but clean water drains) now, I'm not sure how much water remains in the E320 engine block, but a 65/35 ratio should put you in the ball park on final refill with Zerex Anti-freeze.

mumian

I have a 2004 E320 Base model. Where is the location of the engine block plug? What does it look like? A photo will be nice. Is engine block plug same as freeze plug?


You said "flush with fresh water at the thermostat". Do you mean pouring water at the connection where the thermostat is removed?


Thanks,

zheka

As far as I know, the drain plug is not in the engine, (I think it's on the radiator)

Is this what you're looking for?
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-exchange.html

mumian

This thread doesn't apply to me. I want to flush the cooling system.

Richard / E320

How often should the coolant be replaced? My '01 has never had the coolant replaced, and now has approximately 9,500 miles on it. Does coolant go 'bad' based on time, or just mileage?

mumian

see reply #2 from Tacjam on this thread.

Richard / E320

Thanks, I had already read that post, but it doesn't actually answer my question as to if coolant goes bad based on time or mileage. For example, when I look at the device intervals for coolant replacement on my Suburban, it states nothing about the 'time' intervals, but rather by mileage.

Plutoe

I think that you have created a why is the sky blue question---think about what you are asking and remember that most cars have an odometer and not a datometer.

Then ask yourself and possibly a thousand other drivers-------- what month they last changed their oil vs at what mileage did they change their oil-----I think that the most reliable answers will be surrounded by mileage-----My point is that mileage is a friendly measurement for most owners!!

ECSTuning

Forum members,

If anyone is looking for the correct coolant, we have both the genuine Mercedes-Benz coolant, as well as the Zerex G-05.

To provide some extra information, both the genuine Mercedes coolant as well as the Zerex are both un-dilluted, full strength coolant that will require you to dilute it to the required strength with distilled water.

To give some information about the color of the coolant, the original Mercedes-Benz formula was a clear/yellow color, the same as the Zerex. The newest Mercedes coolant (Specification Sheet 325.0) is now blue in color. Per Mercedes-Benz, this coolant can be mixed with the old coolant, but a proper cooling system flush is still the preferred method.

The Zerex G-05 coolant retains its clear/yellow color.

No matter which coolant you choose, the most important thing is that the coolant meets MB specifications, and is mixed with distilled water. Only genuine Mercedes-Benz coolant or Zerex G-05 should be used in your Mercedes-Benz engine, which is why those are the only two coolants we sell for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

If you are interested in either of these coolants, they can be found on our website HERE, or by clicking on the photo of the Mercedes-Benz or Zerex coolant bottles below.





If anyone has any questions regarding these two engine coolants, please don't hesitate to post or send a PM!

Hallyeze

Hello All,

Please I will appreciate some guidance on if I can use the Valvoline Maxlife coolant on my w164 instead of the approved Zerex G05 coolant.

Valvoline claims this coolant can be used on any car!

Does anyone have an useful experience to share.

Many thanks.

port haus

Wow.,,.,that the total mileage on the car?
Dont let my woman see this she will want me to buy it!


Ok on coolant why cant you use Prestone or something similar?

Whats so sensitive about the MB that it will create problems.
Valid reason or just MB secret sauce stuff?