GLK250Dude

Had the common coolant leak issue caused by a part that needed to be replaced with a revised part from Mercedes. Had a shop install the new part and it seems to have solved the leak. However the guy at the shop didn’t fill the coolant up very much, and it’s near the bottom of the tank and not anywhere close to the fill line.

Im unsure what coolant he used and what he put in. I called and he gave me a part number that I have no idea what it means and can’t find anywhere to purchase. It’s an orange colored coolant.

I need to top off the coolant in there, but I read online that your not supposed to mix coolant for whatever reason. Seeing as how there’s so little coolant in the tank I wonder if I can just throw in whatever is recommended and let it mix cause what’s in there isn’t very much right now. Anyone know what coolant to use and if this should be okay?

Van Ha Nguyen

Im not sure where you are located, but here several places I have been to in Ontario, Canada, the dealer fills it up free of charge. I just speak to the service advisor and they come out with the right fluid and fill it. Its been this way for many years. Perhaps its the same where you are? Beats paying for coolant.

formerjeepguy

I used Pentosin Pentofrost E in my 2015 GLK 350 as it meets the MB spec. Here is their doc: http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentofrost_E.pdf
When in doubt you can always get the MB coolant from the dealer.

John CC

What was the part number?

The only orange coolant I've seen is Dexcool (GM). There have been a number of complaints about it, especially when it is mixed with oil. I'd flush it out and use a coolant that meets the appropriate MB spec. (I don't know what that is, off the top of my head.) [Edit: MB 325.0?] For now, if you feel the need to raise the level, either get the guy who put it in there to add some, or just add a little distilled water.

Mmr1

Go to a parts store or MB and figure out what is recommended first. I don’t know if mb ever used ORANGE coolant. If not immediately flush it fully! But I’m no MB antifreeze pro, so call a dealer if your still unsure. What year mb? How old is coolant? For today, if it’s empty and low coolant light is on, I’d put in a few cups of distilled water if it’s not below freezing, it will mix in and dilute with antifreeze once you warm it up, just so your not low. If no light is on then wait, figuring out what you have now and need is a more important. Blue might be required as in my 13. If Orange is ok Then I would test the coolant for voltage to see if it’s ok or expired. At or Above 0.4v and you need to replace it. Or go by age and miles. I don’t know when mb stopped using Orange or if if they ever did use orange!, I don’t think they ever did! I would not mix coolant , or use generic, or something different . Using the wrong coolant will not protect against corrosion as well. The wrong coolant over time will possibly RUIN a motor , so it’s real serious to be correct. My 13 Glk is BLUE fluid, with 68000, it was 0.4v so I recently flushed it and used the Blue.

hceptj

Simplest thing is to top it off with distilled water as mentioned above. I also agree with you, don't mix it, just stop by the dealer or go online to a MB parts website (lots of dealers have parts online) & buy what you need. I'm sure you could get 2 gallons & have a local shop drain, flush with water, & refill it with what you buy.

Looking around it seems Mercedes-Benz used two different types of coolants in their vehicles. A blue or pink violet color coolant. Up to April 2014 most Mercedes-Benz engines used the blue MB 325.0 and MB 326.0 specification coolant. After April of 2014, Mercedes started using the pink violet MB 325.5 MB 325.6 coolant specification.

John CC

So, I did some research. MB 325.0 and 326.0 are used in cars built through April of 2014, and 325.6 and 326.6 in cars built starting in May of 2014. The 325 series is concentrate and 326 is pre-mixed coolant.

formerjeepguy

See here: https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-pick...t-for-your-car

The blue is G48 and the pink is G40. Newer cars use G40.

Orange is definitely wrong and should be flushed/replaced immediately.

GLK250Dude

Thanks for all the replies. It seems I have the wrong coolant in there based on all the replies. I did end up topping it off with generic coolant in the meantime since it was so low and I’m in freezing temps at the moment.

I’ll have that generic / orange coolant flushed out and replaced as soon as I can based on the suggestions in this thread. Wonder if it’s something I can do my self or should I pay a shop?

andreigbs

I'd probably take it back to the shop that replaced the failed part, and ask them to "goodwill" the flush since it's been low after they worked on it.

Worth a try, otherwise they shouldn't charge you too much for the flush.

GLK_BLK_CAD

interesting. I just got a call from my dealership I’m in ON Canada - asked for coolant service (online listed $134.95) and now quoted $480 because of a TSB that requires specific process on diesel… therefore the $135 service cannot be performed.
called another dealership, no problem to schedule in the $135 service. Not sure who’s in the wrong

sneaks32

Any Benz from 2014 and up uses the purple ish stuff magenta color to be exact I use zorex brand it even says r40 on it which is the one for Benz, BMW uses the H12 now these are the newer euro car coolant I also like the concetrated stuff to mix a 60/40 blend with distilled water. I notice a few degrees cooler

Mmr1

Zerex G48 is what my 13 has used, I think the change was in this time area but maybe where vehicle was made could change what was used.

calder-cay

Interesting, so Zorex, a pill manufacturer, now makes coolant products ... and Xerox, a digital printing technologies company makes coolant ... talk about two companies with diversified products!! Sorry, couldn't resist it 😀

Anyway, it's important to read your Owner's Manual!! It will state which coolant to use for your YEAR, MODEL and ENGINE. Some models (even in the same year) may require MB 325.X or MB 326.X (or another spec).

And it's important to understand the difference between these two specs (and others). MB has the MB Specifications for Service Products as a guide:
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com

This link:
https://operatingfluids.mercedes-ben...sheet/310.1/en

... for example, describes the coolant categories: 325.X is a concentrate, 326.X is a pre-mix. It even shows the different colors as, Blue-green, Pink, and 'Yellow, blue', depending on the 32x.X sub-value.

Why is that important?? Because some models require the 325.X to be mixed as 50 /50 or 40 /60.

That's why you can't just go out and buy anything that's a close match. Just because the bottle has "MB" on the front, doesn't mean it's correct four YOUR model. Maybe G48 or G40, or something else.

John CC

That conflicts at least in part with the information I have in Coolant Spec 310-1. That document states:
325.0 or 326.0 (Blue) - For M1xx/2xx, OM6xx - For all vehicles with a manufacture date up to and including April 2014.

It also states that 325.6/326.6 is "usable for all vehicles". I understand, though, that to use it in vehicles 2014 or earlier requires a complete flush to switch.

Also, G05 (yellow) can be used to top up systems containing 325.0 or 326.0 (Blue). When you mix yellow and blue, you get ... green...

John CC

Zerex G40 says it meets both specs (325.6 and 326.0) which makes no sense since one is concentrate and the other is pre-mix, but it does suggest that you could mix it with any of the other approved formulations.

Silver Shadow

It's all perfectly clear as mud now.

John CC

Yeah, I agree...

My take is this:

• Up through April, 2014, cars were produced with blue (G48), MB 325.0 or 326.0
• Beginning in May, 2014, cars were produced with purple (G40) coolant, MB 325.6 or 326.6
• Cars with 32x.0 can be topped up with G05 (yellow) if necessary.
• Cars with 32x.0 can be converted to 32x.6 if you flush the system.
• If you car has green coolant, it may be G48 with G05 added, or who knows?
• If there is a question as to what is in there, best thing to do is flush and fill with MB 32x.6 (purple, G40)

TMSAISTI!

Odd Piggy

Short answer is: G40 can be used in cars that originally had G48 (2008-2013 W/X204) and Mercedes says that residual coolant from draining and not flushing is okay. G48 cannot be used in cars from (May?) 2014 forward.

BTW - My G40 concentrate is clearly pink, not purple.

Mmr1

Ok Mr piggy, I think I understand now. Next question , is g40 superior in protection? Should I flush out old g48 and replace it with g40?
my 13 with 80000m water pump gasket failed so now I wonder if g40 would have prevented this .I have the new water pump so this would be the time if I change, ive put in new coolant but never flushed or used a cleaner, maybe I should ??

calder-cay

I should go out and check the color of our 2014 GLK gas model.

But, hey ... let's beat this into the ground

Bill F

I vote for the salmon , being from the wet coast

But I would just top up with water.

Odd Piggy

No and no and no. I haven’t done any actual testing. I’m just going by experience. G40 just meets some newer environmental regulation, I think. What I do know is that chemical flushes and cleaners are really dangerous to use in aluminum radiators.

John CC

Where did you see that? I think it was the WSR that said flushing was required.
I had that conversation with my two daughters once or twice. "It's mine, not hers, because it is pink (purple)!"

Odd Piggy

Mercedes Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids (BEVO) Sheet 310.10 Section 4. 325.6 & 326.6 fluids are backward compatible with 325.0 & 326.0 fluids. So they can be mixed in a 325.0/326.0 vehicle and flushing is not required. There is a statement that actually mixing is not recommended because mixing will make ID by color difficult. So drain, but flushing not required.

[I never, ever flush an aluminum engine/head/radiator with anything but pure water].