Premature coolant flush?
01-03-2007, 11:30 AM
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Premature coolant flush?
Is anyone but me suspicious of the 15 year/150,000 interval for cooling system service? Has anyone had theirs flushed prematurely (like at 3 or 4 years)? This interval just seems crazy but, then again, I'm old fashioned. Would appreciate any input.
John
John
01-03-2007, 12:08 PM
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Maybe...
...but they recommended a more sensible interval (like 3 years or so) on my '96 E320, which I followed. I in fact had some coolant left from those changes and noticed that it is exactly the same part number they specify today. Maybe it was always that good and they prescribed overservicing the system? Don't know, but there's so much pressure to make cars nearly maintenance free these days, it makes me doubt their motives.
01-03-2007, 06:35 PM
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Change it every 3 years using a 50/50 mix of MB coolant and distilled water.
Nothing has changed from the past except that car manufacturers are trying to make you think your car is low maintenance when in fact it actually requires the same maintenance as in the past. Notice that Mercedes started out with 100K transmission service intervals and now they are back to about where they were on my 1991 300E.
The key to maintaining the cooling system is to NEVER permit tap water in it. If you go to a dealer, they will flush it with tap water. My 17 year old 190D had nothing but a 50/50 mix of MB coolant and distilled water in it and it was performing as well after 17 years as the day I bought it. I change the coolant in the 300E every year at a cost of about $10 and it's going on 16 years old with no problems at all.
I admit I've stretched the oil change interval on my E320 from my normal 6 months to a year but the mileage is relatively low, it has a long life filter and a lot of synthetic oil in the crankcase.
Nothing has changed from the past except that car manufacturers are trying to make you think your car is low maintenance when in fact it actually requires the same maintenance as in the past. Notice that Mercedes started out with 100K transmission service intervals and now they are back to about where they were on my 1991 300E.
The key to maintaining the cooling system is to NEVER permit tap water in it. If you go to a dealer, they will flush it with tap water. My 17 year old 190D had nothing but a 50/50 mix of MB coolant and distilled water in it and it was performing as well after 17 years as the day I bought it. I change the coolant in the 300E every year at a cost of about $10 and it's going on 16 years old with no problems at all.
I admit I've stretched the oil change interval on my E320 from my normal 6 months to a year but the mileage is relatively low, it has a long life filter and a lot of synthetic oil in the crankcase.
01-05-2007, 08:57 PM
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2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
The coolant in my fridge at the mountain house has been in there since 1981. It has not worn out, nor has the mechanical system that uses the fluid.
I can't see how the cooling system on my car differs in that respect. If the fluid is not worn out, or contaminated, and the mechanical parts are working, I see no advantage to changing it. I do see drawbacks. Seals and gaskets that are allowed to dry when fluid is removed often fail. Thermostats often fail if allowed to get dry. I had a German Ford, and every time I drained the radiator, the thremostat failed. It is hard to properly fill and burp cooling systems without special tools.
The materials and fluids of the 70's are thankfully in our rearview mirror, it is time to put folk wisdom there too.
I can't see how the cooling system on my car differs in that respect. If the fluid is not worn out, or contaminated, and the mechanical parts are working, I see no advantage to changing it. I do see drawbacks. Seals and gaskets that are allowed to dry when fluid is removed often fail. Thermostats often fail if allowed to get dry. I had a German Ford, and every time I drained the radiator, the thremostat failed. It is hard to properly fill and burp cooling systems without special tools.
The materials and fluids of the 70's are thankfully in our rearview mirror, it is time to put folk wisdom there too.
Last edited by Moviela; 01-05-2007 at 08:59 PM.
01-08-2007, 10:01 AM
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The coolant in my fridge at the mountain house has been in there since 1981. It has not worn out, nor has the mechanical system that uses the fluid.
I can't see how the cooling system on my car differs in that respect. If the fluid is not worn out, or contaminated, and the mechanical parts are working, I see no advantage to changing it. I do see drawbacks. Seals and gaskets that are allowed to dry when fluid is removed often fail. Thermostats often fail if allowed to get dry. I had a German Ford, and every time I drained the radiator, the thremostat failed. It is hard to properly fill and burp cooling systems without special tools.
The materials and fluids of the 70's are thankfully in our rearview mirror, it is time to put folk wisdom there too.
I can't see how the cooling system on my car differs in that respect. If the fluid is not worn out, or contaminated, and the mechanical parts are working, I see no advantage to changing it. I do see drawbacks. Seals and gaskets that are allowed to dry when fluid is removed often fail. Thermostats often fail if allowed to get dry. I had a German Ford, and every time I drained the radiator, the thremostat failed. It is hard to properly fill and burp cooling systems without special tools.
The materials and fluids of the 70's are thankfully in our rearview mirror, it is time to put folk wisdom there too.
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01-08-2007, 06:04 PM
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2015 ML 350
Coolant in a car is "Antifreeze", always a liquid... Whats in your refrigerator is "Refregerant". Sometimes a gas, sometimes a liquid. Your car has BOTH, Refrigerant gas for the A/C system AND Coolant, which among other reasons is used to cool the metal parts of the engine while its running. 2 completely different "circulatory systems".
