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Re: MB WIS info - R129/M119 cooling system flushing
- Thread starter chicky
- Start date
There is no formal process that I'm aware of, for a "complete" flush including heater core. Here's the FSM doc which isn't very helpful (and, has wrong capacity for the W124/M119):
What I do is drain the radiator and open both block drains, then disconnect a heater core inlet hose and gently blow compressed air through the heater core. This doesn't remove all the coolant but it pushes some out. Normally you do not need to "flush" the heater core, or any of the cooling system, but if that is desired you refill with plain water, run to operating temp with heater on max, allow to cool, drain, repeat as needed until you are happy. Then refill with the desired percentage antifreeze pre-mixed.
The standard dealer procedure is, AFAIK, to simply drain and refill - they do not normally perform any "flush". However, I don't know if there are fancy machines now which might be used to flush the systems? If so, I also don't know how effective they are. @jhodg5ck ? @Klink ?
What I do is drain the radiator and open both block drains, then disconnect a heater core inlet hose and gently blow compressed air through the heater core. This doesn't remove all the coolant but it pushes some out. Normally you do not need to "flush" the heater core, or any of the cooling system, but if that is desired you refill with plain water, run to operating temp with heater on max, allow to cool, drain, repeat as needed until you are happy. Then refill with the desired percentage antifreeze pre-mixed.
The standard dealer procedure is, AFAIK, to simply drain and refill - they do not normally perform any "flush". However, I don't know if there are fancy machines now which might be used to flush the systems? If so, I also don't know how effective they are. @jhodg5ck ? @Klink ?
Hello Dave 
Thank you again for the advice and link
I was actually searching the "How to" articles here at the forum, copying and pasting valuable information in to a word document including pictures to serve as a guide for my flushing the cooling system.
After I do this, may I share to you this "How to" word document ... as you might correct/suggest inputs so that I can do a proper job of flushing my system?
Best regards
Thank you again for the advice and link
I was actually searching the "How to" articles here at the forum, copying and pasting valuable information in to a word document including pictures to serve as a guide for my flushing the cooling system.
After I do this, may I share to you this "How to" word document ... as you might correct/suggest inputs so that I can do a proper job of flushing my system?
Best regards
we do it the old school way, per dave..open everything, a bit of compressed air and you'll have the VAST majority of the coolant out.There is no formal process that I'm aware of, for a "complete" flush including heater core. Here's the FSM doc which isn't very helpful (and, has wrong capacity for the W124/M119):
What I do is drain the radiator and open both block drains, then disconnect a heater core inlet hose and gently blow compressed air through the heater core. This doesn't remove all the coolant but it pushes some out. Normally you do not need to "flush" the heater core, or any of the cooling system, but if that is desired you refill with plain water, run to operating temp with heater on max, allow to cool, drain, repeat as needed until you are happy. Then refill with the desired percentage antifreeze pre-mixed.
The standard dealer procedure is, AFAIK, to simply drain and refill - they do not normally perform any "flush". However, I don't know if there are fancy machines now which might be used to flush the systems? If so, I also don't know how effective they are. @jhodg5ck ? @Klink ?
Hello Dave
A big THANK YOU for the picture you shared
... funny that yesterday, I wrote on my thread at BW.org the following:
CONTINUATION:
Note: copied from sparking1 post (permission pending
), with inputs from me
1. Drain the radiator and expansion tank via the radiator drain
1a. Open block drains (left and right) also
1b. verify location of heater core drain (information pending verification
... better yet: ask gsxr)
2. Refill with distilled water ... (NOTE: Chicky use up your stored SHTF stock of distilled water, shame on you for
delayed maintenance ... go to the supermarket and replenish your stock and close your eyes + open wallet
)
3. Run up to temp with heater on high
4. Shut off and let engine cool
5 Repeat 1-4 at least twice.
6. Change radiator (and all hoses) ... if necessary
7. Refill with G-05 (50/50) via expansion tank ... use of MB OE coolant, G-05 not available in Manila
8. Run to temp and check for leaks
TO BE CONTINUED (with humor)
Best regards
A big THANK YOU for the picture you shared
... funny that yesterday, I wrote on my thread at BW.org the following:
CONTINUATION:
Note: copied from sparking1 post (permission pending
), with inputs from me 1. Drain the radiator and expansion tank via the radiator drain
1a. Open block drains (left and right) also
1b. verify location of heater core drain (information pending verification
... better yet: ask gsxr)2. Refill with distilled water ... (NOTE: Chicky use up your stored SHTF stock of distilled water, shame on you for
delayed maintenance ... go to the supermarket and replenish your stock and close your eyes + open wallet
)3. Run up to temp with heater on high
4. Shut off and let engine cool
5 Repeat 1-4 at least twice.
6. Change radiator (and all hoses) ... if necessary
7. Refill with G-05 (50/50) via expansion tank ... use of MB OE coolant, G-05 not available in Manila
8. Run to temp and check for leaks
TO BE CONTINUED (with humor)
Best regards
There is no heater core drain. Doesn't exist. This is why you have to run the engine up to temp with heater on high, to force water through the heater core.
Don't flush with distilled water, this can react with metals in the cooling system. Flush with clean tap water. Only use distilled water when mixed with antifreeze (G-05 / G-48).
Don't flush with distilled water, this can react with metals in the cooling system. Flush with clean tap water. Only use distilled water when mixed with antifreeze (G-05 / G-48).
Hi Dave
Thank you for the information regarding the "heater core drain" and that of the use of tap water to flush (only)
Best regards
