W203 - (271) - Where is the coolant drain plug on the crankcase?

Hustler

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Hi guys,

I'm in the middle of flushing out and replacing the coolant. W203 M271 engine. The workshop manual states to drain the coolant from the crankcase, but I'm having trouble finding it (amateur).

Is it located on the underside of the car, or to the side of the engine block near the thermostat?

Here's the pic in the manual:

Screen Shot 2018-06-02 at 13.11.10.png

Would appreciate any help if anyone can guide me where it is in relation to the rest of the car.

Thanks!
 

LostKiwi

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From that picture under exhaust manifold towards the bell housing right side of engine (looking from driver's seat).
 
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Hustler

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From that picture under exhaust manifold towards the bell housing right side of engine (looking from driver's seat).
Thanks LostKiwi. Think I've found it. Man was that hard to find it and access it!

IMG_2635.jpg IMG_2638.jpg

Would draining at the radiator plug and engine block be sufficient for a near complete drainage, or is it worth going through the extra fuss of doing a full flush by filling up with tap water, running the engine and heater, multiple times?
 

Wighty

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Thanks LostKiwi. Think I've found it. Man was that hard to find it and access it!

View attachment 43520 View attachment 43521

Would draining at the radiator plug and engine block be sufficient for a near complete drainage, or is it worth going through the extra fuss of doing a full flush by filling up with tap water, running the engine and heater, multiple times?
Unless it all comes out really dirty , I wouldn't bother with any extra flushing
 
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Hustler

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Full flush
Unless it all comes out really dirty , I wouldn't bother with any extra flushing

Thanks guys. Might go with Wighty's advice as It's looks very clean even when considering it's never been changed in 15 yrs. Only reason I'm draining the coolant is because the expansion tank had a leak - plastic overflow line on the tank had a small crack causing the coolant to leak everywhere (common problem I believe), so thought I may as well drain the entire coolant while replacing with a new tank.
 

LostKiwi

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Coolant has a lifespan. If it's 15 years old its way past the lifespan which is is around 5 years. After this point the coolant anti corrosion and anti freeze properties degrade. Flush it all out.
 

daibevan

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Haynes etc say 15 years for the merc coolant. Mine is coming up to 12.5. Should I change it do it before winter?
 
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Hustler

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Coolant has a lifespan. If it's 15 years old its way past the lifespan which is is around 5 years. After this point the coolant anti corrosion and anti freeze properties degrade. Flush it all out.
I checked the coolant change intervals when I bought the car 5 years ago and it said that the change interval is 15 years or 250,000 km (155,342 miles), whichever is earliest. You can check here: http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/d/d/en/Spec_310_1.pdf (Coolant spec/sheet no: 325.0). I also regularly check the effectiveness of the coolant/anti-freeze protection levels with a testing device and it's always been as good as new.

Anyways, I've done the flushing and replaced the expansion tank which was leaking with a brand new one as the plastic nipple on the tank was brittle.

Just as I was tidying up, I hit another problem at the other end of the expansion tank line - the plastic connection on the other end has come off after lightly wiping it with a damp cloth. Again, the same problem as before - brittle plastic that just came off from a delicate wipe with a damp cloth.

Do I need to replace Part #1 or Part #2 and if so what it's called?

IMG_2670.jpg
IMG_2665.jpg
IMG_2662.jpg

Would appreciate if anyone could advise.

Thanks :)
 
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Westheath

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I checked the coolant change intervals when I bought the car 5 years ago and it said that the change interval is 15 years or 250,000 km (155,342 miles), whichever is earliest. You can check here: http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/d/d/en/Spec_310_1.pdf (Coolant spec/sheet no: 325.0). I also regularly check the effectiveness of the coolant/anti-freeze protection levels with a testing device and it's always been as good as new.

Anyways, I've done the flushing and replaced the expansion tank which was leaking with a brand new one as the plastic nipple on the tank was brittle.

Just as I was tidying up, I hit another problem at the other end of the expansion tank line - the plastic connection on the other end has come off after lightly wiping it with a damp cloth. Again, the same problem as before - brittle plastic that just came off from a delicate wipe with a damp cloth.

Do I need to replace Part #1 or Part #2 and if so what it's called?

View attachment 43526
View attachment 43527
View attachment 43528

Would appreciate if anyone could advise.

Thanks :)

Part number A0039970689

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coolant-...103255&hash=item48a4a370a1:g:Fy4AAOSwIgNXrzbc
 
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Jim2

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From a previous post on here ( Lost Kiwi, I think ) where he warns of the danger of mixing two different types of coolant as they are not compatible with each other, so it would seem that a complete drain and flush is the best option, and refill 100% with one type only recommended fluid.
 
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Hustler

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Thanks Westheath for the part number :) Glad I don't need to replace the entire pipe!

I did some Googling and found a few threads on this common issue. Seems like all my problems lately have been with the plastic parts failing and becoming brittle after some time. Even my engine cover cracked a few months back (as can be seen in the pics). I even avoided removing the thermostat for the coolant flush because I read that it's common for the thermostat housing to easily break off due to being brittle.
 

Westheath

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Thanks Westheath for the part number :) Glad I don't need to replace the entire pipe!
I even avoided removing the thermostat for the coolant flush because I read that it's common for the thermostat housing to easily break off due to being brittle.

Its best you break it and replace it now rather than it go at night in the pouring rain etc etc.....
 

Jim2

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On the subject of the coolant, what's the best procedure for draining the entire system completely on the Merc w212 ? On other cars that I have worked on, it was relatively simple....open off the lower water jacket, the radiator cap ( expansion tank ) and let nature take it's course. When the last drop had dripped....tighten up the water jacket, refill the system. Run the engine until the thermostat opened and the water circulated, top up as needed. What's the difference in draining the Mercedes? Or even is it different?
Regards,
Jim2
 

LostKiwi

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Or even is it different?
Nope pretty much the same.
I normally flush the system through with plain water as an intermediate step between draining and filling.
 

Jim2

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Nope pretty much the same.
I normally flush the system through with plain water as an intermediate step between draining and filling.
Yes LostKiwi, that would make sense to flush out the remainder of whatever was in the system to avoid even small amounts of any liquid which would react badly with the new Anti-Freeze.
 

TazCBR1100XX

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This is EXTREMELY frustrating :confused:

I'm unfortunate enough to have had a small plastic part break - the same one which Hustler broke, which resulted in significant coolant loss as I was driving at the time, and I had to abandon the car. Eventually I got a new part, topped up the coolant bottle with water as I had no coolant and no idea what it already had in it, and now I'm trying to get all the fluids out of the engine block before refilling with a known quantity.

I've been searching for two days to find out where the ****** coolant drain plug is, and can I buggery find it. Even more frustrating is that Hustler found it, and posted a pic, which is of absolutely no use to me whatsoever as there is no indication of where this is. Which way is the front of the engine? Which actual part of the car holds this secret location?

Being laid on my back under a car is way down my list of things I like to do - it might even be just above eating Brussels sprouts (and they will never cross my lips again). Actually, I hate sprouts, and I also hate working on cars, but on a Sunday afternoon with a trip to Birmingham on the horizon tomorrow I have no choice but to do it.

So, does anyone have some very precise instructions on how to locate this elusive coolant drain plug please? If I don't get it out by the time it starts getting low light, it will get a 50/50 mix of the new stuff, and I don't care what happens after that. The thing wants scrapping anyway.

Oh I do hate cars!
 

EmilysDad

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Sorry. Can t help with the drain plug by if you drain what you can via a bottom hose, top up with water ...... and repeat until it's just water in the system. Drain again, add enough neat antifreeze to give 50/50 and then tip up with water.
 

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