Coolant change C124

[Ade W124]

Following on from previous threads (and having done a quick search) I'm attempting my first bit of MB maintenance which is a simple job of changing the coolant.... er... except I seem to be falling at the first fence...

Armed with a Haynes manual, 5L of MB coolant, a reasonable array of sockets, spanners, screwdrivers etc. I got as far as marvelling at the MB upright bonnet bracket and then rapidly got stumped as to how to get to the engine drain - in fact I havn't actually found it yet... despite helpful haynes pictures. There seems to be a lot of 'stuff' in the way from the top.

It would seem that it should be relatively straightforward if I get under the car, and to do so I have to get the undertray off which would imply lifting the front of the car as there isn't much room between my crappy shingle driveway and the bottom of the car (which has the sports suspension..)

Having avoided a ramp/plastic front valance interface, I'm off to halfords to get some axle stands to lift the front and drop the undertray.

Am I missing something here?

Ade :-?

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Ade, I don't know your car but, assuming the engine is a straight six like my C280, I found my engine coolant drain plug up under the exhaust manifold on the r/h side of the engine slightly towards the rear of the block. The plug doesn't need to come right out as it has an integral nozzle which you can fit a rubber hose on to, just turn the plug anti-clockwise with a spanner and the coolant will come out through the hose. When I did mine I didn't make any mess at all, not even a drip, with the hose directed into a large bowl. I did need the car on ramps or axle stands to do the job. There is also a drain tap at the left hand side bottom of the radiator on my car.
I hope this helps you locate the plug on your car although I realise yours may well be different.
Good luck,
Ron

 

[Ade W124]

car is on axle stands with the undertray off - lots of oil down there...

car jack has never been used in 16 years! Found the drain points easily once underneath, scratching round shed for appropriate hose and waiting for car to cool..

ta for quick reply.

Ade

 

[c955]

I'd offer to help as I'd like to learn more about looking after my W124 coupe too, but all I'm capable of doing really, is making decent cups of tea

Good luck!

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Milk, no sugar please!

 

[Ade W124]

Well its done and back together .. and got washed to boot...

A section of garden hose seemed to fit over the drain points nicely and made draining the old fluid nice and simple..
flushed the rad - piece of cake - tried to remove thermostat cover to flush engine, two bolts spin off no problem, 3rd one sheared with very little provocation :evil: Quickly put that back together....

Only managed to get about 2 litres of water and 5 litres of coolant into the thing which suggests that it didn't drain completely with it jacked up at the front.

Car temp seems as before :roll: although I did confirm that the A/C fan kicks in with a gusto.

With hindsight could have got to the engine drain without removing the undertray. Rad drain is simple to get at but the engine drain required a bit of swearing to loosen

So now just need to get the sheared bolt removed and replaced... any suggestions in South London (MB specialist not required methinks)..

Ade