Antifreeze question

[grober]

Every Mercedes I have owned has had a slow leak from the top radiator hose. The hose doesnt leak from its seal with the thermostat housing or radiator but leaks thro the hose ends via the woven re-enforcing in the rubber.. While not serious its annoying and messy. does this mean the hose is in terminal decline and liable to fail?? I have never experienced this on any other make of car I have had. I am probably going to change it anyway as a precaution. Does anyone know the MB part number /spec for the right grade of antifreeze(pale yellow colour) for my car 1995 E220 COUPE. My local dealer seems to think the latest stuff would be OK, but I am a bit wary of this because its what they keep in stock for post 2000 models. ANY COMMENTS WELCOME

 

[andy_k]

Every Mercedes I have owned has had a slow leak from the top radiator hose. The hose doesnt leak from its seal with the thermostat housing or radiator but leaks thro the hose ends via the woven re-enforcing in the rubber.. While not serious its annoying and messy. does this mean the hose is in terminal decline and liable to fail?? QUOTE]

very likely that it's reached the end of it's useful life - cheap, easy and quick to replace. According to Mercedes it's a 2 year life before changes are recommended for all engine bay hoses !!!!

Does anyone know the MB part number /spec for the right grade of antifreeze(pale yellow colour) for my car 1995 E220 COUPE. My local dealer seems to think the latest stuff would be OK, but I am a bit wary of this because its what they keep in stock for post 2000 models. ANY COMMENTS WELCOME

the latest stuff should be OK, as should any zerex based coolant

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=10

perhaps Jimmy or somebody can get a good price on this stuff?

Andy

 

[grober]

Thanks Andy,
any suggestions as to who stocks ZEREX G-05

 

[grober]

ALAS Valvoline do not market Zerex g05 in europe according to a Valvoline UK email reply. Nice website in the states though named www.valvoline.com supprisingly enough.
G.

 

[Dieselman]

Firstly your top hose is definately on the way out, change it pronto.

Antifreeze: Use any antifreeze for mixed metal engines with a life of two years or better. These will satisfy BSxxxx.
Such antifreeze will be coloured blue or green.

 

[grober]

Thanks Dieselman top hose replaced. I am going with the latest MERC antifreeze part number 000-989-08-25 which is blue as I said, and nitrite free according to the label. I reckon this makes it very similar to BASF GLYSANTIN G48 also blue which is a HOAT, nitrite,amine and phosphate free with about 250ppm silicon. BASF GLYSTATIN G05 (valvoline zerex go5 ??) seems very similar but has a little more silicon, about 290 ppm plus some nitrite. I believe nitrite is added to prevent liner errosion on diesels?? You can find some details on www.basf.de/en/produkte/chemikalien/spezial/glysantin Anyway I am a bit sensitive about antifreeze properties since changing the antifreeze on a 190e at 100,000 miles a couple of years back seemed to precipitate a cylinder head gasket failure. Maybe just a co-incidence but ?????

 

[Dieselman]

The cylinderhead gasket was probably going due to not changing the antifreeze, then when changed the crud holding it together was flushed out and voilla, it blows.

I've seen this happen when flushing a cooling system. The gasket was very corroded.

Comma products contain Glystantin and are rated for two, three or five years.

I used the Extreme green with three year life and will change at 2+ years.

http://www.commaoil.com/

Tip: Use rainwater as the dilte as it contains no limescale and has good heat-soak properties so cools better.