Where is Coolant Drain Hole on Engine?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Reading, PA
'98 E320 Wagon
Where is Coolant Drain Hole on Engine?
Hi, this is my first post. A few weeks ago I bought my first MB, a '98 E320 Wagon, and I love it! It's been neglected in terms of scheduled maintenance, but I'm trying to remedy that situation. :-)
I got under the car last weekend with the intent of flushing the coolant, but I couldn't find the coolant drain hole on the engine block. I spent 10 minutes under there with a flashlight, but just didn't see it. Does anyone have any pictures, or a good description of it's location? I'm sure it's right in front of my nose! I want to get that green stuff outta there ASAP!
(Since I couldn't get to the coolant, I flushed the brakes instead...so it wasn't a total loss to get her into the air.)
TIA,
Steve
'98 E320 Wagon
I got under the car last weekend with the intent of flushing the coolant, but I couldn't find the coolant drain hole on the engine block. I spent 10 minutes under there with a flashlight, but just didn't see it. Does anyone have any pictures, or a good description of it's location? I'm sure it's right in front of my nose! I want to get that green stuff outta there ASAP!
(Since I couldn't get to the coolant, I flushed the brakes instead...so it wasn't a total loss to get her into the air.)
TIA,
Steve
'98 E320 Wagon
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 789
Likes: 55
From: Henrico, Virginia
2014 ML350 4Matic
On my E430 V-8 the drain for the engine block is on the right side of the engine (pass side), above the motor mount, under the exhaust manifold. It looks like a hose barb. It has an internal hex. To use a hose I needed to poke a hole through the hose to access the internal hex. However, when I did open the drain there was only a few drops left in the block. I had first drained the radiator through the red drain valve on the lower left corner of the radiator. Apparently that drains the entire system including the block, the only exception being the heater core.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 432
Likes: 7
From: Albuquerque, NM
09' E350, 01' Maxima SE, 93 Nissan Maxima SE, 1987 Nissan Maxima SE
I thought I need to do a coolant flush on my car myself, however, I have one interesting thought since this is my first german car, that how do you fill the coolant level, since traditionally the radiator fill where you open the cap directly off the radiator but since our cars don't have that, it's on the reservior tank. So do I just fill it there?, it's a little diffcult to tell if the radiator is filled.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Reading, PA
'98 E320 Wagon
Yes, you just fill it via the cooling tank. I agree, it seems a little strange, but my Volvo wagon is the same way. I plan on tackling the coolant flush this weekend, so I'll report back if I run into any problems.
Regards,
Steve
Regards,
Steve
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Reading, PA
'98 E320 Wagon
Well, I never found the engine drain hole...but I didn't look too hard either. Instead I flushed the system with distilled water about three times (drain -> fill -> run engine until hot -> let it cool -> repeat process), and that seemed to work fine. I feel better now that I got that 6-year old coolant replaced!
Next tasks: replace spark plugs...anyone have any pointers? Hey, will you look at that...I must have the V12 option! (12 spark plugs...oh boy!
)
Regards,
Steve
Next tasks: replace spark plugs...anyone have any pointers? Hey, will you look at that...I must have the V12 option! (12 spark plugs...oh boy!
)Regards,
Steve
