Cleaning, flushing cooling and heating system - ra20006010015x(0015)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 42 other vehicles, including the 1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 1999 Mercedes-Benz S500, 1999 Mercedes-Benz S420, 1999 Mercedes-Benz S320, and 1999 Mercedes-Benz CL600. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Engines 601, 602 (except 602.98), 603

Preceding work:

Engine compartment cladding bottom removed (01-006).

Coolant drained (Draining, pouring in coolant - anti-freeze protection table ).

Operation no. of operation texts and operation values or standard texts and flat rates; 20-1030

Fig 1: Flushing Cooling And Heating System

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Coolant thermostat	remove and install forcibly-opened thermostat part no. 000 589 74 63 00 (step 1).
Flushing connection pipe (01)	install and connect tap water hose (03) (steps 2 and 3).
Cooling system	flush (step 4 - 20, 22).
Cooling system expansion tank	remove and install, flush out (step 21).
Cooling system	check for leaks (Testing cooling system for leaks ).

SERVICE PRODUCTS

Anticorrosion/antifreeze agent	000 989 08 25
Citric acid powder (0.5 kg)	000 989 10 25

COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE TOOLS AND TESTERS

Designation	e. g. make,	order no.
Hexagon bit for wrench on flexible shaft with worm drive	Hazet	Ø 6 mm 426-6
	42853 Remscheid	Ø7 mm 426-7

Special tools

Fig 2: Identifying (117 589 00 90 00 20)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 3: Identifying (000 589 74 63 00 20)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 4: Identifying (124 589 15 21 00)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

NOTE: High coolant temperatures and low heating capacity may also be caused by deposits of corrosion products in the radiator and in the heat exchanger.

The deposits are recognizable as a jelly-like mass or, when the radiator is empty and dry, from a grey layer on the cooler connection pipes.

In this case, the cooling and heating system can be cleaned with a 10 % citric acid solution.

Radiators which have cooling pipes which are fully or partially clogged, must be renewed.

Procedure for flushing operation

Remove coolant thermostat and install forcibly-opened thermostat 000 589 74 63 00 with sealing ring.

Fig 5: Identifying Coolant Thermostat
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Remove the locating lug (arrow) on a cap of the coolant thermostat.
Replace radiator (20-420).

Fig 6: Locating Lug
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.
Connect flushing connection pipe part no. 117 589 00 90 00 with connection hose between radiator and coolant hose.
Connect a tap water hose to the flushing connection pipe.
Open cap of expansion tank.
Set heater to "warm".

Fig 7: Connecting Tap Water Hose To Flushing Connection Pipe
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Models with auxiliary heater
If automatic heating control is fitted, set the temperature selectors to "Max" or, if automatic climate control is fitted, press the "Defrost" button so that the circulation pump is switched on when the engine is running.
Open bleeder valve of the auxiliary heater.
Flush cooling and heating system with flowing water for approx. 5 minutes with the engine running (approx. 2500 rpm) so that the remaining coolant is flushed out.
During the flushing operation, the cooling system must always be completely filled. Adjust feed quantity accordingly. All drain plugs open.
Allow flushing water in the radiator and crankcase to drain out fully. Screw in drain plugs at radiator and crankcase.
Dissolve 1 kg citric acid powder (0.5 kg, part no. 000 989 16 25) in 5 liters of water in a suitable vessel.
Pour cleaning solution into the coolant expansion tank and top up with water as far as the marking on the expansion tank and top up with water.
Close bleeder screw of auxiliary heater.
Close cap of expansion tank.
Run engine for 15 minutes at approx. 2500 rpm and blip throttle. The solution must flow through the heat exchanger (step 6).
Following this, drain cleaning solution.
Empty the cleaning solution (citric acid mixture) into a standard workshop oil and water separator.
Open the bleeder screw of the auxiliary heater.
Flush cooling and heating system for approx. 5 minutes with flowing water with engine running (2500 rpm). The water must flow through the heat exchanger (see steps 6 and 9).
Remove flushing connection pipe and connect coolant hose to the radiator.
Install normal coolant thermostat with new seal.
Screw coolant drain plugs into radiator and crankcase.

Remove coolant expansion tank, flush out once again separately, and install.

Install modified coolant expansion tank with silica element.

COOLANT EXPANSION TANK (WITH SILICA ELEMENT)

Engine	Model	Part no.
602.91 49	124	124 500 17
602.96 (Turbo) 49		124 500 18
603.91 49		124 500 17
603.96 49		(Turbo) 124 500 18

If car fitted with auxiliary heater, connect plastic hose to bleeder valve and open valve.
Pour in fresh anticorrosion/antifreeze agent (Draining, pouring in coolant - anti-freeze protection table ).
Check cooling system for leaks (Testing cooling system for leaks ).

Fig 8: Checking Cooling System For Leaks
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.