Utahkompressor

Tools: 8mm socket, rachet, extension, big flat head screwdriver, big coolant bucket
Part: 1 Gallon of Antifreezer MBZ Approval 325.1(Part no.Q-1-03-0002)

Procedure:
-Wait for the engine to cool down before start!
-Use 8mm socket to remove 6 bolts that hold the front splash shield, then remove the shield.
-Put the bucket under the car, then loose the drain plug(if you're facing the car, it gonna be on the right side of the radiator)
-What I did is flush the old stuff out with tap water...just open the cap and put the garden hose in there and wait for a few minutes.
-Wait for the tap water to drain out, then tight the plug back on.
-Fill the reservoir with the antifreezer, then top off with tap water....1 gallon of antifreezer is concentrate enough for M271. If it's M112 or M272, you'll need more than 1 gallon of antifreezer.
-DO NOT put the cap on yet.
-Start the engine and wait until it reaches 80deg.C to bleed the air out of the system(some coolant will overflow out of the the reservior, don't worry about it)
-Put the cap back on and shut the engine off.
-Make sure the drain plug is tight and no leak.
-Put the sheild back on......and enjoy!

I also replaced tranny fluid, diff oil and fuel filter.....but we already have DIY for those so I'm not gonna waste my time writing another one.....If you have any question feel free to ask!

acr2001

Thanks for the write up!
Just wondering - why did you decide to flush the coolant? Starting with the 2005 model year the coolant system was changed. They added a special gel pack to the reservoir along with improved rubber materials. Because of this the factory fill of coolant is supposed to last for about 10 years or 125k miles (those numbers might be off by a small amount as I do not remember them exactly). If you search the forum there is documentation from MB that states this.

On a side note, I removed about 1/3 of a quart of coolant from my 2005 as the dealer overfilled it. After it sat for a while in a container I noticed that a very small amount of oil rose to the top of the coolant. The oil was clear - the same color as fresh mobil 1 out of the bottle. I wonder if the dealer used a funnel that had some oil remaining in it when they filled my coolant? I can't imagine that such clean oil could have gotten into my coolant through a bad engine seal.

pawe

Arent you supposed to have a coolant flush when you bring in your car for service B?

acr2001

No, not if you have a 2005 or newer. I'm not sure about the older model years, but I know they required a coolant flush every few years.

Utahkompressor

Technically, it's not a flush....it's just wash out the radiator with tap water.
Good info! I haven't heard anything about the gel.....but according to alldatadiy, 2005 M271 still need coolant drain/fill every 2 years or 50k miles....your 4matic might be different because it's designed to operate in a very cold climate.

C230 Sport Coup

MB came up with an additive for later years, allowing the coolant to be used for 150K miles!
A very good way to reduce waste. You have to buy the special coolant then an additive from MB.
The rest of us, it's every 2 years or 50K miles.

acr2001

If you have a 2005 or later this coolant and additive (gel pack which is inside the reservoir) come stock.
Also, 4matic option has nothing to do with it - they all come with it after 05.
Alldata is wrong if it says every 2 years. Check your manual.

C230 Sport Coup

Can I add the gel pack and stop doing it every 2 years?
Or are the radiators different?

acr2001

I guess you could try something like that, but I don't think it would work as well because they redesigned the entire cooling system.
I found the article I had mentioned - https://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/Sta...iFreeDec04.pdf it explains more than you could ever want to know. This is especially important reading for the dumbasses (sorry) who have used non MB coolant in their cars (Zerex G05 is also an approved coolant because it is the same coolant MB repackages).

nlpamg

nice! thanks for the DIY.

my car is at 70k miles and I'm tempted to do a coolant flush.

I'll be adding this to the DIY sticky.

Mtu

This is a bit confusing, as i've read in here that the 15 yr or 150k miles flush is only applicable from 2005 models, but the link above states it's from 2004. My car is an 04 c230 ss 6spd manual, how can check if it has this gel pak "thingy" in the reservoir? I'm at 51k miles and would like to know if a flush is required or not. Thanks.

acr2001

I originally thought it was only 05 up also, so I'm not sure about 04. Take a look in your maintenance booklet (comes w/ owners manual). It will be in there.

Utahkompressor

^^^Good to know! Thanks for the info!

wvadam

Is there also a drain on the engine block that we need to worry about? does running the hose through the expansion tank also clear the coolant out of the heater core? anyone?

Utahkompressor

I couldn't find the drain on the engine block.
Running the hose will not clear the heater core.

kOMPRESSEDc230

So....with my '05, I don't need to change out the coolant until 150k miles?

ATL_MB

I don't care what anyone says -- I would never leave ANY fluid in a vehicle for 15 years. 5 years, 50,000 miles is the max I would go with coolant. And I would use distilled water, not tap water to refill the engine. Tap water has chlorine, flouride and who knows what kind of minerals in it - that stuff may not hurt your engine, but it sure as hell won't help.

A little coolant and some distilled water is very cheap protection.

Utahkompressor

I totally forgot about distilled water! I'll use it next time.

IMO, many MB(USA) recommendations are bull-crap(eg. lifetime ATF, 13k engine oil etc.)
All they want is to make it through the lease-period.....after that they don't care!
Thus, doing those things eariler would not hurt, especially if you going to keep the car for a long time.

viku_st

here is some information. it comes from MB manual or from maintenace instruction(original).
The M271 coolant system is 7.5 Litre(quart),
The M111 is 8.5 Litre
The 112 is 10.5 litre
the recomanded proportion is 40%antif 60% water for -25C, 50/50 to resist -37 degree C or 55% antifreeze 45 water for -45.
It dosen't say about distilled water or not.
But it says that collan should be changed at 150K miles or 15 years, and my M111 is 2002.
May be you have other info?
And, it says that liquid can be drain from cylinder block, trough a pipe on the right side, you need to plug a house and to loose the "allen"-bolt- bud I did not check on engine, may be wrong?

acr2001

I'm confused about an 02 model year having the 15 year/ 150k coolant life. Doesn't make any sense to me. Did you purchase your car pre-owned? Is it possible the dealer included a booklet from a newer model year?

viku_st

I just check the MBUSA website there is a info for every year and thenical data that we a talking about. OK. For 2002 it says once in 3 years, didn't specify the miles.
for 2003 already, it says 150Kmiles or 15 years, at the same time I ave a E500 2004 it it says 150Kmile or 15 years?
I just caled 1800 FOR MERC, they doesn't know, they told me tot talk to the service department of any mercedes dealer, they shoud know.
You can check their website, will find a lot of helpfull info.
good luck

viku_st

and btw, about water quality it says it can be usual plain water.

acr2001

Well, as others said previously, I would use distilled water and NOT tap water.

skittles

Q! dont you have to remove the thermostat from the housing then put back the housing without the thermostat then run water through the upper radiator hose to do a complete clean flush? then just re-install thermostat after.

Glyn M Ruck

For information - the so called gel pack is nothing fancy. It is simply silica gel in a mesh bag that is placed in the coolant reservoir to release silicates into the system.

Benz then initial fill with a more advanced form of the longlife coolant which should be blue or blue/green in colour.