Coolant top-off question - Benzworld.org

ajent420 · 08-05-2008, 08:58 AM

Good morning Benzworld...

So, I think I may need to top off the coolant in the radiator (for now, I know I should be flushing it in the future.)

1. The resivor - how can you tell how far to top it off? the top half of the container is black and I don't see any markings anywhere indicating full/low levels for the coolant

2. Is it OK to just use the Zerex G-05 to top off with what's in there? Read some posts that say it's not a good idea to mix coolant brands...others say don't worry about it.

Thanks in advance!

Kajtek1 · 08-05-2008, 10:39 AM

Use distillate water. In Seattle you don't have to worry about extreme freezing protection and if you do, change all fluid now.
MB have the reservoirs design with the filling neck below the top, what makes is foolproof (!) in case somebody would like to overfill it. Meaning with warm engine *not hot to the degree there is pressure in the system) just fill it up to the neck, or slightly below it.

ohlord · 08-05-2008, 12:47 PM

is mb spec....you be fine

cerritos · 08-05-2008, 10:23 PM

Is it true that one can never overfill the coolant? The sytem will self adjust the level by overflow the extra out? Just fill it up and let the system do the adjustment.

ajent420 · 08-06-2008, 01:08 PM

the way I read that too is to just completely top off the reserve resevoir on the passenger side and then you're good to go? (with a warm, not extra hot engine)

**Musikmann** · 08-06-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cerritos

Is it true that one can never overfill the coolant? The sytem will self adjust the level by overflow the extra out? Just fill it up and let the system do the adjustment.

I don't think that's true. Plus only add the coolant to the overflow, not to the radiator itself. If you try, I think you'll notice that the radiator cap is very hard to remove, probably by design.

**Matt L** · 08-06-2008, 06:28 PM

I don't even have a radiator cap.

**Musikmann** · 08-06-2008, 06:39 PM

Interesting Matt, I do but I guess it's pretty useless unless we need one for a flush.

peter_02AMG · 08-06-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musikmann

Interesting Matt, I do but I guess it's pretty useless unless we need one for a flush.

it actually call a pressure cap by MBZ which located on the coolant reservoir. Late model MBZ don't really have a "radiator cap" like the W210. Matt just being sarcastic

cap.jpg

**Matt L** · 08-06-2008, 07:43 PM

No, I wasn't being sarcastic. I haven't seen all of the radiators used in the W210 line, so for all I know some might have a cap.