MB changed all coolant to RED type

[IFFY100]

First and foremost, is it the case that MB have discontinued the blue type coolant? This being the case I will need to flush the system om642 engine. I have truied to locate the block drain plug but could not find it on the engine - some direction please. And please advise what is the best way to attack this task? Thank you.

 

[MSG2004]

I've got red, well more like pink in my car
My car is a gle, we bought it brand new in 2016 and the coolant has never been changed and the car has 8 MB service stamps

 

[markjay]

The blue-green coolant is MB 325.0, I don't know if MB stopped making it, but it's certainly still widely available from many sources including on eBay.

 

[IFFY100]

I'd keep an eye on this thread and change that coolant buddy.

 

[markjay]

Also, if your car is 2010, it won't be due a coolant change until next year (unless it covered 150,000 miles by now)

 

[IFFY100]

The blue-green coolant is MB 325.0, I don't know if MB stopped making it, but it's certainly still widely available from many sources including on eBay.

I think in that case I will try and get a hold of the blue stuff and stick to that for as long as poss. Where you getting your coolant from?

 

[IFFY100]

Also, if your car is 2010, it won't be due a coolant change until next year (unless it covered 150,000 miles by now)

I change every 2 years regardless

 

[MSG2004]

I change every 2 years regardless

Do you check the effectiveness of the coolant before changing?
In my view, MB work-shops would want to change everyone's coolant at 2 years
as it makes them loads of money but they don't and there must be a good reason behind that.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I change every 2 years regardless

Wow, your cars must be incredibly well maintained. I’ve known people do all sorts of service work before it’s due but never really coolant, and never so frequently.

A main dealer told me that they almost never perform coolant changes as part of a service, on the rare occasion that they do it’s part of a repair to the cooling system.

 

[IFFY100]

It's well maintained for sure. I have a Ramp and a garage full of tools so it costs nothing and takes very little time.

 

[johnsco]

I have only ever changed the coolant on any of my MBs as part of a maintenance operation.
A couple of years ago, I did a partial change when I needed to fix a weeping pipe joint.
I've never had any problems.
I've only ever used blue anti-freeze - Always diluted to 50% strength.
Occasionally I check the specific gravity to check that it's around the correct SG.

 

[markjay]

The recommended engine coolant change interval for MB cars is 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

(There's a school-of-thought that says that you should not change the engine coolant too frequently, BTW, the argument being that excessive coolant changes cause the accumulation of sediment and corrosion - I have no opinion of my own, I just get the coolant changed on all my cars according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule)

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The recommended engine coolant change interval for MB cars is 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

(There's a school-of-thought that says that you should not change the engine coolant too frequently, BTW, the argument being that excessive coolant changes cause the accumulation of sediment and corrosion - I have no opinion of my own, I just get the coolant changed on all my cars according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule)

Strangely the interval for last ICE Smart is 6 years, presumably because it’s built by Renault. I had it replaced last week in ours by the main dealer.