anti freeze coolant

[stevegbr]

which brand would you recommend for a w204 c280, 2007. they do a premix on euro car parts and a brand i dont know. https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/triple-qx-blue-antifreeze-coolant-1ltr-523770472, it seems it the right one 50-50 mix and protection at -37c, but i have read you are supposed to use distilled water and not tap. could someone point me in the right direction. thanks.

 

[EmilysDad]

The colour of the antifreeze can't be depended on entirely for the type of antifreeze already in the system and apparently OAT & ethylene glycol can congeal if mixed. If unsure as to what is already in the system it's a good idea to drain & flush until there is just plain water in there. Whether you can use tap water depends really on how hard your tap water is. It's really soft around here & I'd even use it to top up a battery.

This aimed at classic cars, but still applies. Click here

 

[Jim2]

Check the MB BeVo list for all fluids for your car. Don't mix unless you're absolutely 1000% that they are mixable. Otherwise you could be heading for a world of grief. As Emilys Dad says, drain and flush and then refill with the correct antifreeze.

 

[mioba]

MB coolant is 15 year change. Whats the issue OP. The coulur is a dye of the type and some are not mixable.
If you are changing. A hose in the system and good flush including rad. When its crystal clear and you know the vol add the correct amount of neat coolant ie half the vol and top off.

Ideal time to change stat too. MB stats are not the best.

ps if the one is already pre mixed i dont know why the qu on water is relevant.

 

[stevegbr]

why cant things be straight forward with these cars, usually you get the one recommended and everthing is ok, this car you cant even do that, as you say it cant be relied upon, its doing my head in, thanks for your responses.

 

[stevegbr]

MB coolant is 15 year change. Whats the issue OP. The coulur is a dye of the type and some are not mixable.
If you are changing. A hose in the system and good flush including rad. When its crystal clear and you know the vol add the correct amount of neat coolant ie half the vol and top off.

Ideal time to change stat too. MB stats are not the best.

ps if the one is already pre mixed i dont know why the qu on water is relevant.

just wanted to get prepared in case it needed to be topped up.

 

[mioba]

If the car is loosing cooling then be prepared, otherwise leave it alone. If it aint broke etc etc.

As mentioned MB coolant is 15 years.

 

[Jim2]

why cant things be straight forward with these cars, usually you get the one recommended and everthing is ok, this car you cant even do that, as you say it cant be relied upon, its doing my head in, thanks for your responses.

The problem is that over the years, after much R & D, in the engine department, they have changed the composition of the metals used, gaskets etc. And of course, the chemical composition of the antifreeze has had to change too. And some of these chemicals not only react badly with the metal, they react badly too if they are mixed with other antifreeze. They can form a thick gel which can block the heater matrix, and gum up other parts as well. And it's quite an expensive fix.