Critical Cooling System Restoration on a 1976 to 1985 Mercedes Diesel OM616 OM617

Diesels will not "go forever" if you neglect maintenance. This is one of the most neglected areas and all this you can do yourself. Link to replacement parts: mercedessource...

[@marchindy]

Aviation permatex is awesome stuff, used to use it on cork gaskets for valve covers on general aviation piston engines.

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks again Kent

[@gordonknight2676]

Very important video, Kent. The best thing I did to my old W126 was to replace the leaking radiator when the water pump went out, Whew, that was a lot of work to get that pump out, but the car runs a lot better with the proper cooling system updated. Even just having the radiator boiled out to remove the scale and curst can help. Thank you.

[@hessamkashani7608]

You can tell Kent is an aircraft mechanic/enthusiast. We need more car mechanics like him around.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

[@SushilKPingua]

I am driving a brand new OM616 inline 4 turbo-diesel engine in India mounted on a 4X4 Jeep.
It is called GURKHA, manufactured by Force Motors under license from Merc.

[@theemekanix]

You are the best! I love all the videos

[@husseinlodhee2357]

Watching from France..You are a Genius Sir..Very clear explanation ...Merci Mr kent..Hat's off..

[@Mercedessource]

Thanks!

[@fornman]

Love the thorough video Kent. It makes a difference to me when I need parts and tech info! Thanks.

[@oNeGiAnTLiE]

Hell Yes! My car of choice all day everyday Thank you for the wonderful lesson!!

[@robertcasserly9967]

Great video absolutely find it very informative

[@mohammedabdurrouf8038]

I miss my machinecal job love your blog sir thanks

[@simonlimon3098]

some day ill get a 4 cyl. turbo diesel and buy your vegie kit!!!
Excellent work!!!

[@GregJorgo]

Thankyou! Very helpful Kent.

[@anthonysimmons1673]

Thanks Kent!!!

[@xenawolf]

Distilled water is a must to prevent mineral deposits.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

Great info, Kent.👍

[@jondawes7921]

Great stuff as usual! ❤

[@oldsoulgarage2982]

Is there any way to test the original radiator cap to make sure it holds pressure rather than just visually inspecting it for wear?

[@johnaclark1]

So many people, even many professionals, think coolant is coolant and will pour in whatever is available. It's not. The damage doesn't happen right away but over a period of time.

[@adventurousairman]

Love it 👍

[@kermitefrog64]

I also use distilled water in my radiator so that you don't get mineral deposits.

[@hankjones8814]

What’s the reasoning behind drilling a hole in the thermostat?

[@farerse]

so air bubbles can escape I think

[@krausrepair1171]

It can be really hard to bleed air out without taking a hose off sometimes. The lazy fix is a small hole in the t stat

[@adelkheir]

@@krausrepair1171 I know that in certain thermostats they already come pre drilled but also have a small ball to only allow the coolant and any air bubbles to go one way.

[@dextrogen11]

You use the wrong coolant. Blue-green G48 is the right one, if you read the MB sheet for coolant. Bad for everyone, who watches this clip, if you don't correct your wrong statements.
Nothing is more dangerous than superficial knowledge, an proverb says. 😄

[@Mercedessource]

Sorry you are not totally correct. Do some deep dive searching into the coolant originally used on these old Mercedes. There is nothing more dangerous that comments on RUclips..

[@daviegoodman]

Kent, this is great! Thank you very much! I am nearly done with the rebuild of the coolant system on my 1985 300 TD.
I'm stuck on finding a replacement hose. It's the same one you're showing in the video at 3:56 . It is part number: 1235013282 -- I can't find it anywhere! Will I have to build my own piecewise with elbows and stuff?