Almost all Mercedes models from 1980 to 1995 have a plastic drain plug at the bottom of the radiator. On some it is very well hidden. If you are new to Benz you may not even know it exists. Any time you are replacing radiator hoses, coolant hoses, water pump or you need to remove the top radiator hose to gain access, you should drain the radiator first. The plug is generally found under the car on the drivers side. The plastic head is colored and has a big X slot in it. Use a large wide flat blade screw driver to remove. I recommend a large drip pan as the coolant will not come out in a steady stream. When reinstalling the plug, be VERY CAREFUL not to over tighten it - it is very easy to break the head off. An o-ring provides the seal, so it is not necessary the plug be extremely tight.
Problem & Solution
Common among these chassis:
On the 201 chassis 190E 2.6 the drain is behind the tow hook grill on the front bumper. You will need a short piece of hose to attach to the nipple. Just loosen the plug screw in this case (do not remove) and the coolant will flow through the hose into your container.
