how can i tell if my radiator bottle has anti-freeze?

[Sir Chumpalot]

hi all, cold nights are most defanantly setting in now, and wondered how do i check if my radiator bottle has anti freeze in or not? it is a clear solution, so could just be distilled water and nothing else....

many thanks

James

 

[Sp!ke]

Halfords | Halfords Antifreeze Tester

 

[Sir Chumpalot]

Halfords | Halfords Antifreeze Tester

thanks spike, and if it does need some anti freeze in, what is the easiest way to drain the coolant so i have room for the anti freeze please?

thankyou

 

[killwilly]

Save your cash, just syphon a drop out and bung it in the freezer.

 

[nickcc101]

Antifreeze also loses it's anticorrosive properties over time so should be changed every 3 or 4 years (my opinion). After a total drain (as much as possible) you should refill with a mix of 50% tap water and 50% neat antifreeze, distilled water is only used in batteries (or my Wifes steam iron)

 

[kwakdonut]

Tap water is fine if you live in a soft water area but definitely not if you live elsewhere!! I have always used distilled water for coolant top-ups/replacement with no problems. It is worth it to avoid adding another potential problem....

 

[Sp!ke]

I use Britta filtered water in my coffee machine, my kettle and my wifes iron and they do not suffer from lime scale at all.

So the car gets Britta filtered water too.

 

[Sir Chumpalot]

thanks guys, can anyone recommend a decent anti freeze please?

 

[Sorry Pete]

Hi, try this family of antifreezes from Comma:

Link

I've used the yellow, G05 stuff in my 300D and in the 300SL without trouble. The G05 is the same as Valvoline Zerex (if the peachparts US forums are to be believed) in the USA, which was what 1980's MB's were filled with from factory when they were exported there.

There are data sheets with the MB approval spec number. Ensure it matches or exceeds that which is specified for your car. You don't mention what model you drive, but afaik, the G48 (green) stuff is widely used by MB owners, contains silicates and is good for 3 years.

The red one is silicate free, and is the long-life variant - good for 5 years. I think members have used that or similar without trouble as well.

 

[Sorry Pete]

I also use distilled water you can get from Robert Dyas to fill irons and the like. It's not worth the hassle of a potential water gallery furring-up and for me, it's a £2.99 insurance ticket against bad things happening to the engine.

Oh, and the easiest way I heard of testing to see if there's coolant is the taste test - antifreeze has a bitter sweet saccharine additive / property. Obviously don't start guzzling from the expansion tank!

 

[SilverSaloon]

thumbs up for COMMA GREEN antifreeze from me. Meets MB Specs.

however, my brother has Adsa's own brand BLUE in his Corsa and hasnt had any problems.

 

[tagnut]

Oh, and the easiest way I heard of testing to see if there's coolant is the taste test - antifreeze has a bitter sweet saccharine additive / property. Obviously don't start guzzling from the expansion tank!

Please don't "test" your antifreeze like this. Despite the sweet taste it is highly toxic and can cause renal failure, cardiovascular failure, brain damage and death

 

[Scott_F]

Please don't "test" your antifreeze like this. Despite the sweet taste it is highly toxic and can cause renal failure, cardiovascular failure, brain damage and death

Apart from that is it safe though ??

 

[kwakdonut]

Apart from that is it safe though ??

Totally

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

Oh know one siad yeo covldnt drenk it, byt it taest so goud and neuer dune me ayn hram

 

[grober]

Why not use the pukka MB antifreeze? Its not that expensive.

 

[Sorry Pete]

Why not use the pukka MB antifreeze? Its not that expensive.

Pretty sure Dieselman thought Comma were OEM installed by MB, so the same stuff without the markup.

 

[grober]

I was under the impression that MB antifreeze was originally a BASF formulation G 05 a "HOAT" Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolant. Where G stands for Glysantin aka Ethylene Glycol and 05[ nitrite containing ] under MB spec 325.0 BASF This G05 formulation is probably made by several manufacturers under licence. Here's the list of approved antifreeze that meets 325.0 MB 325.0 - Anticorrosion/antifreeze agents (Specification 325.0) - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids

 

[ss201]

If you live in a hard water area and are concerned about the water you put in your rad or iron - use the water from a de-humidifier.

 

[Sir Chumpalot]

repl

Hi, try this family of antifreezes from Comma:

Link

I've used the yellow, G05 stuff in my 300D and in the 300SL without trouble. The G05 is the same as Valvoline Zerex (if the peachparts US forums are to be believed) in the USA, which was what 1980's MB's were filled with from factory when they were exported there.

There are data sheets with the MB approval spec number. Ensure it matches or exceeds that which is specified for your car. You don't mention what model you drive, but afaik, the G48 (green) stuff is widely used by MB owners, contains silicates and is good for 3 years.


The red one is silicate free, and is the long-life variant - good for 5 years. I think members have used that or similar without trouble as well.

I have a w203 kompressor mate, the radiator bottle is totally clear, so has no anti-freeze, when filling up with anti freeze, is there anything else i need to do to prevent air locks ? and where sorry can i find the data sheets with the MB approval spec number so to get the correct anti freeze?

many thanks

James