Hi,

What anti freeze is used on an '89 240 B230E? I have tried looking on here and in the Autodata manual but doesn't tell you type.

I'm in the UK, any UK makes of anti freeze would be very helpful

Many Thanks,
Dan

 

I use the Volvo coolant. So what ever that is, I don't remember.

Others might know. As for uk... Should have similar coolant.

 

From what I understand, Volvo antifreeze is pretty much the same stuff as the cheap stuff in the auto parts stores. A lot of other companies have changed their formulation over the years and all it comes down to is the type of anti corrosion and rubber stabilizer stuff that they add. They just don't play nice when mixed (they end up neutralizing or cause aluminum to break down, look at your thermostat housing). So just about any antifreeze will work in any system, just as long as you flush it. Volvo just never changed their additive from the old stuff, which is what generic auto parts places produce. This is at least what I have heard.

 

American generic green a/f is plain ethylene glycol. The Volvo stuff, while green, is a hybrid organic formula. Hybrid organics keep their anticorrosive properties longer than straight glycol

The best equivalent is Zerex G05, widely available. G05 is gold rather than green. This is also the preferred aftermarket A/F for older Mercedes. (Mercedes brand AF is blue, go figure).

 

Oh ok thanks. I've know some engines require certain types, I'll just make sure I flush it well before stick the new stuff in.

Would 5L @ 50/50 mix be enough?

Many Thanks
Dan

 

I mix gallons of it 50-50, using deionized (demineralized) or distilled water (our tap water is rather high mineral and hard). I have a couple empty gallon zerex jugs I've labeled "50-50", I half fill one from the new jug, then top off with water. then I'll top the new jug up with water too and label IT 50-50, thats 2 gallons of antifreeze, which is plenty enough to fill it and have more for topping off after leakage or whatever (our 94 mercedes is leaking a bit now, so needs frequent topping off... a few months ago it was my 740 that needed heater hoses and was dripping coolant)

 

I always used deionized water in the past as I read it stops it 'furring' up over time. I used to work at a car main dealer, spoke with one of the long serving techs and he said they always use tap water as the anti freeze stops the 'furring' up

I'm not sure which is right now... I just know what happens to an iron using tap water...

Dan

 

yeah, mechanics don't really care as much as you the owner should.

it really depends on how "hard" your tap water is.

 

Doesn't matter.

I've used water supplies from my house, to numerous different shops, to shops that made us distill the 50/50 water before mixing.

Never had problems.