What type of “water” to dilute MB Coolant/Antifreeze? Distilled? Deionised? Pure Water?

[Submariner1]

Hi
I have green/blue 325.0 Coolant in mine.
Needs to be diluted 50/50.
Some say Distilled water, others say Deionised (which is cheaper and more available).
Can I use Deionised any negatives?

I ask as my Dealer said they use tap water, but know this area has hideous hard water. Maybe they have a water softener?

If I get the Dealer to change the coolant should they drain down the the 2 cylinder banks of the V8? Or just the main radiator?

The main reason for changing the coolant is I noticed mine looked a lighter colour than my 50/50 mix for a top up.
Is one better spending the money on changing the coolant than having it tested to check its mixture strength.
I think it would cost about £33 to have it tested.

 

[EmilysDad]

what ever the engine V8 or not, I'd drain & flush until the water runs clear, drain as much as you can then add half the capacity with neat anti-freeze then top up to the max on the header tank. I suppose that I have the bonus of living in a very soft water area. If you're worried about how hard your area's water is I suppose you could use bottled water - though the 20 litre water bottles at work do produce a hard scale in the kettle.
Don't over think it

 

[LostKiwi]

Deionised water is more corrosive than distilled.

I would avoid deionised water like the plague.

If you have a condensing tumble drier or dehumidifier use the water from them.

 

[mioba]

Distilled is best.
The change interval is 15 years.
Have you tested the mix in the car at the moment.
The colour alone wont tell the condition unless its rusty

 

[Blobcat]

Distilled is best.
The change interval is 15 years.
Have you tested the mix in the car at the moment.
The colour alone wont tell the condition unless its rusty

Not according to the below…

Why You Should Never Use Distilled Water in Your Cooling System | Rislone

Many people have "heard" that distilled water is the best water to use in a cooling system. This is wrong! Let us tell you why.

www.hyperlube.com

 

[mioba]

Funny that. I would have thought distilled would be more pure as it would remove every bit of leftoverfs during distillation.

Would be interesting whats in WIS if anyone has it handy.

 

[Submariner1]

Not according to the below…

Why You Should Never Use Distilled Water in Your Cooling System | Rislone

Many people have "heard" that distilled water is the best water to use in a cooling system. This is wrong! Let us tell you why.

www.hyperlube.com

I felt embarrassed posing the question.
But you can see why I am unsure.
and Halfords sells water for Coolant and its Deionised.

 

[Blobcat]

I felt embarrassed posing the question.
But you can see why I am unsure.
and Halfords sells water for Coolant and its Deionised.

No such thing as a stupid question, just my answers…

 

[Jim2]

No such thing as a stupid question, just my answers…

You are being a bit hard on your self and there Blobcat........without justification !!!, I'm planning to change the antifreeze in mine ( on the list of things to do ) and I have 10 Ltrs of G48 ready. Its made up of 5 Ltrs concentrate plus 5 Ltrs distilled water, same set up I used in the last E class I had. Now to get motivated to actually start the job.....

 

[Submariner1]

Distilled is best.
The change interval is 15 years.
Have you tested the mix in the car at the moment.
The colour alone wont tell the condition unless its rusty

No not yet, because I wondered if it was worth spending the cash on a change rather than testing.
I think it should be changed every 15 years, so its 12 plus years already.

 

[EmilysDad]

..... Now to get motivated to actually start the job.....

Never rush into things ....

 

[Blobcat]

Never rush into things ....

Don’t do today, what you can put off until tomorrow

Also, if a man says he’s going to do something, there’s no need to remind him every 6 months…

 

[LostKiwi]

Don’t do today, what you can put off until tomorrow

Also, if a man says he’s going to do something, there’s no need to remind him every 6 months…

I must show that to MrsLK!

 

[Benz Carl]

And what kind of coolant you put in a Merc ? W213 oem654 ? And I insist. Do i have to change the gearbox oil ?

Thanks

 

[Jim2]

Google (

And what kind of coolant you put in a Merc ? W213 oem654 ? And I insist. Do i have to change the gearbox oil ?

Thanks

Google (Where would we be without it?) MB bevo list, and select your car, and it will tell you every liquid that's approved by M B for your particular car . Is the transmission manual or automatic?

 

[mioba]

No not yet, because I wondered if it was worth spending the cash on a change rather than testing.
I think it should be changed every 15 years, so its 12 plus years already.

If it aint broke dont fix it. Give it another 2 years and change the stat at the same time.

 

[Jim2]

If it aint broke dont fix it. Give it another 2 years and change the stat at the same time.

My Eclass is 6 years old, and a few mths ago, the fuel filter housing had to be replaced, so the anti freeze had to be topped up. The garage said that they changed it, but I'm a bit skeptical..so I'll change it anyway, then I'll be happier knowing that it's the correct fluid ( G48) and not a mixture of God only knows what.

 

[Benz Carl]

Google (

Google (Where would we be without it?) MB bevo list, and select your car, and it will tell you every liquid that's approved by M B for your particular car . Is the transmission manual or automatic?

But I do google a lot before I come and ask here cuz I’m ashamed of my silly questions and maybe you senior guys don’t want to hear noobies around here.
Got one thing from comments G48.

 

[00slk]

No such thing as a stupid question, just my answers…

Blobcat you are so coy.............

 

[NJS5]

I know that it's not a Mercedes but I have topped up & refilled the cooling system on my MGB GT V8 since it was 1 year old with antifreeze and tap water.

I have had no problems with the cooling system, still on the original radiator, and have only replaced the water pump once. That replacement was due to a major engine rebuild & upgrade, rather than strictly necessary.

NJSS