Missing Coolant

[davidjpowell]

Hi

I have a C320 CDi on a 55 plate, which I bought from a main dealer nealry 3 weeks ago.

I have now started to get a warning message - Coolant - Visit Workshop. My local dealer says that it just needs topping up, and if I call in that is what they are do.

I'm not keen to top it up becasue of diluting the anti freeze and a rather painful (and expensive) memory of adding water to power steering fluid in a Peugeot several years ago.

It seems strange to have happened so shortly after picking it up - is there a known problem or just a poor PDI?

Thanks in advance.

David

 

[television]

Hi Dave for now all you can do is to fill it up and keeps your eyes on the situation, and see what happens

 

[recycled]

you can buy an already diluted one, or just got to any garage and ask them to show you where to top it up.
are you saying you do not want to do it because you do not know where to put it, or what to put in it?
on a 55plate you are still under wararnty for any engine related faults anyway.

 

[BlackC55]

Look in the manual it tells you everything you need to know about filling with coolant and the correct level.

 

[davidjpowell]

Can do it - just very slowly after looking in the manual. On the Peogeot the Power Steering was exactly where the coolant is on the merc. The coolant was in a narrow black cylinder the width and full height of the radiator - never even saw it. Bl**dy French.

I was more concerned that there mught be a weakness in the car. If it's a fault it will no doubt show over time. Although another French car I had took 18 dealer trips to resolve a leaky power steering system (something about me and Power steering!)

Thanks for the replies.

David

 

[television]

Can do it - just very slowly after looking in the manual. On the Peogeot the Power Steering was exactly where the coolant is on the merc. The coolant was in a narrow black cylinder the width and full height of the radiator - never even saw it. Bl**dy French.

I was more concerned that there mught be a weakness in the car. If it's a fault it will no doubt show over time. Although another French car I had took 18 dealer trips to resolve a leaky power steering system (something about me and Power steering!)

Thanks for the replies.

David

You cant tell Dave until its been driven a bit, do not over fill it as it will just blow the excess out. We have used all of our power to steer you in the right direction

 

[portzy]

Just beware/carefull though. I had the same message appear on my SLK a couple of weeks after delivery. The coolant level was well within limits but when they connected up the diagnostics it turned out that there was a problem with the main cooling fan/sensors/fan wiring harness. I forget exactly what was replaced, the harness and sensors I seem to remember but it did cure the problem and, touch wood, it has not since come back.

Portzy.

 

[recycled]

i believe a faulty coolant level sensor can give that message as well

 

[grober]

Get this checked out ASAP since I believe MB have a 30 day /1,000 mile exchange vehicle policy on their approved used cars. Probably just a minor fault which should have been pcked up on the PDI but a slight chance it might be something worse.

Should you not be satisfied with your car for any reason, you are entitled to exchange it at any time within the first 30 days or 1,000 miles of ownership (whichever comes sooner).
* Terms and Conditions Apply

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...ts/used_cars/approved_used/exchange_plan.html

 

[davidjpowell]

I was passing Harrogate today so called in as agreed with the guy who sold me the car. After a run in with the service department who were too busy to help someone who they had agreed to spend time calling in and had just given them over £20k they pronounced the water level fine so must be a sensor etc.

As they wanted to get me to book the car in I will have MB Doncaster look at it.

Incidently MB Doncaster seem good, I called in when I discovered that the 12v socket had something stuch in it which had blown the fuse. Had got that out to discover (eventualy - 3 fuse boxes?!) that MB had bolted that box down. MB Doncaster cured it there and then, and would recomend.

David

 

[television]

Is this one of the cars where the windscreen washer is linked

 

[davidjpowell]

Do you mean the resevoirs? - I don't think so - although that needs water too funnily enough. I've out a few miles on the car since i've had it with round trips to London, Glasgow and Bristol. I just love it!!!!

 

[lexuscol]

Harrogate,York, Scarborough recently changed hands all the same ownership. unfortunately they didn't change the staff, Tupe an all that.
Very poor all round IMO, Bought my first Merc from Doncaster and they are about as bad as the others I mentioned. Scarborough offered me a free service to get me back I didnt take it though.

 

[television]

Do you mean the resevoirs? - I don't think so - although that needs water too funnily enough. I've out a few miles on the car since i've had it with round trips to London, Glasgow and Bristol. I just love it!!!!

On some cars the sensors work together

 

[davidjpowell]

OK - I will top it up first thing. Don't think it is that though as the low was warning only came on today - just after a major attack by a passing bird.

 

[davidjpowell]

Just back from the dealer. The fault is apparantly the suction fan. Car is in Thursday for surgery. Can't decide if i'm impressed by the service I have recieved, or horrified that it needs work so soon!

 

[Benzowner]

There are many reasons why the car may have failed so soon after purchase, one of them is that if the dealer knows it is faulty, and carries out the repair, it is at their cost, if you take the vehicle and find a fault, the repair is at MB warranties expence. I hope I am wrong, but my own experiences suggests I am not, and that MB are not alone in adopting this system.

 

[davidjpowell]

Saga goes on. Had to drive through Sheffield this morning in rush hour. Happened to glance at the temp gaauge to see it shooting towards Red. I rang my local dealer who changed their minds on whether the car is drivable. Result - one car carried away and now have a temporary CLK.

Far prefer the C320 CDi though.

David

 

[television]

These things can happen,thats why you have the guarantee, chin up

 

[davidjpowell]

It oculd be worse. The family car is a newish Espace. When that broke down it was a real hassle (the loan car offered was a Corsa!) MB have been superb to deal with no hassle to date.