Author Topic: antifreeze advice  (Read 2509 times)

Ferrolanoman

  • Full Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • USA, CO, Longmont
  • Posts: 100
antifreeze advice
« on: January 27, 2018, 18:10:06 »
I really need to drain, flush and refill the cooling system in my 1970 280 SL. What do you all recommend as the best long term protection, not against freezing/boiling over primarily (we're talking garage queen here) but more importantly against internal corrosion of the aluminum head passages and mating surfaces with the iron block. I drive my car less than 500 miles per year and thus tend to do little regular maintenance. Does M-B sell a product formulated specifically for our vintage cars? Is the Prestone orange ("long term protection") also a good choice and, if so, do I need to get the last drop of the common green version currently in my car completely out lest a jelly like residue forms? I plan to use distilled water as a mixer of course.
Thank you in advance for all the responses.

Iconic

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, IL, Highland Park
  • Posts: 1203
  • ex-Membership Administrator
Re: antifreeze advice
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2018, 18:31:59 »
I recommend the MB BQ 103 0004 coolant. I just bought it for my car.
I also bought the MB Citric Acid flush (000 989 10 25 11). I read that you need 3 of the 0.5 kg containers to flush the Pagoda system. I will verify that before I do the flush.
This might not be needed for your car depending on the condition.
I will also be doing a detergent flush before the Citric Acid flush. If I had a clean system with the green stuff in it, I would flush with detergent and then put in the new coolant.
Also, I will be doing 2 or more water flushes in between each of the other steps.
There is a lot written about this on the forum.
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

jameshoward

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United States, New Jersey (formerly of London)
  • Posts: 1570
Re: antifreeze advice
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2018, 13:24:35 »
The best way to preserve is to use the MB genuine coolant purchased from the stealer and change every two years. As noted above, a flush may be worth doing. There's a lot of good advice on the forum about changing coolant, etc. Key things to pay attention to: not draining from the drain valve on the radiator, as it can strip out the copper threads. Just leave the drain plug along. Safest way is to drain using the large hose at the bottom of the rad (though a bit messy). Ensure you fill correctly; it's not hard to get an air lock. You should remove the top hose until coolant starts to flow out, run the car and fill the remaining to capacity with the car on an incline, nose up. Note that you'd want to ensure you have the flow to the radiator core open when draining and refilling as it holds a surprising amount of the stuff.
James Howard
1966 LHD 230SL

UJJ

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, CA, Grass Valley
  • Posts: 327
Re: antifreeze advice
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2018, 17:06:55 »
"STEALER"
Love it  ;D
Urban Janssen
Grass Valley, CA
1968 280 SL - 4speed manual
173 anthracite grey

Ferrolanoman

  • Full Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • USA, CO, Longmont
  • Posts: 100
Re: antifreeze advice
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2018, 18:19:16 »
thank you for the responses and advice. Sounds like the M-B product is the one to buy. Since I'm guessing that the price per gallon is high (will 2 gals suffice?), I wonder if club members get a discount--LOL.

Iconic

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, IL, Highland Park
  • Posts: 1203
  • ex-Membership Administrator
Re: antifreeze advice
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2018, 20:15:17 »
If you are an MBCA member, you do get a discount.
Also, the capacities of the 230, 250, and 280 SLs are different, but in each case 2 gallons is more than needed for a 50/50 mixture.
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold