SL/R231 Boy, did I do something stupid.

Oct 23, 2016 | 09:56 PM

mbates50

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 31

Likes: 4

From: Carlsbad, CA.

2013 SL550 / 2006 XK8 / 2015 Triumph Bonneville/ 2019 C300 Cabroliet

Boy, did I do something stupid.

Checked the coolant level in the reservoir, BUT forgot to put cap back on.
Needless to say, after returning from dinner, the "check coolant" message illuminated.

I knew what it was and watched the temp rise to beginning of the red line in the temp gauge, appx 120 degrees. Stopped the car. Started again and limped to a gas station. Temp reading never went into the red, just right at it.

Put some 50/50 Peak coolant in and made it home, temp. normal

Two questions:

1. Did it get hot enough to do any damage? Car ran fine after putting in coolant. No head gasket smoke, etc.
2. Should I get radiator drained and refilled with Benz approved coolant? Far as I can tell this Peak stuff ain't the best. Car only has 23K miles

Thanks

Oct 23, 2016 | 11:41 PM

nycphotography

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Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,185

Likes: 42

'15 T&C & '14 SL63

Absolutely drain and flush the peak stuff. MB coolant is lifetime rated and pretty specific.

As for damage, if it didn't blow a head gasket / warp a head you're probably ok. probably.

Oct 24, 2016 | 11:47 AM

tandan

Senior Member

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 397

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From: san diego

2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycphotography

Absolutely drain and flush the peak stuff. MB coolant is lifetime rated and pretty specific.

As for damage, if it didn't blow a head gasket / warp a head you're probably ok. probably.

Ditto. You did something stupid, I was more stupid. Thoughtlessly added some old coolant in my garage when I became low in my 2005 SL600. Result-- replace radiator.

Oct 24, 2016 | 02:08 PM

mbates50

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 31

Likes: 4

From: Carlsbad, CA.

2013 SL550 / 2006 XK8 / 2015 Triumph Bonneville/ 2019 C300 Cabroliet

Quote:

Originally Posted by tandan

Ditto. You did something stupid, I was more stupid. Thoughtlessly added some old coolant in my garage when I became low in my 2005 SL600. Result-- replace radiator.

Well, look on the bright side.
At least it wasn't your engine oil you did that with

Oct 25, 2016 | 09:04 AM

tandan

Senior Member

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 397

Likes: 11

From: san diego

2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbates50

Well, look on the bright side.
At least it wasn't your engine oil you did that with

You have no idea.

Oct 25, 2016 | 09:40 AM

Utopia Texas

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Joined: Jan 2016

Posts: 2,336

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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas

2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV

There is not one of us on this forum that has not done something stupid in the past!
Here on the farm I have 35-40 pieces of machinery from weed eaters to huge diesel tractors some using diesel fuel, some gasoline and some the gas/oil mixtures. I am constantly catching myself getting ready to pour the wrong fuel into a particular engine.

Last edited by Utopia Texas; Oct 25, 2016 at 11:53 AM.

Oct 25, 2016 | 11:04 AM

nycphotography

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Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,185

Likes: 42

'15 T&C & '14 SL63

For future reference, in an emergency, fill with distilled water only.

Then replace with appropriate coolant at the first opportunity.

Prevents the need for a full system flush.