- Joined
- Nov 22, 2008
- Messages
- 2,727
- Location
- Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Car
- E280CDI SPORTS ESTATE and C200 KOMPRESSOR SE Coupe Auto (1.8 lit petrol)
Today's fine weather gave me a chance to do a much-needed job of the C200 Kompressor.
It's been running too cold ever since I got it.
The temperature gauge has not been getting above 40 degrees.
The heater has not been hot enough.
The engine has been running rich with a smell of unburnt petrol.
The old thermostat was MB Pt. No: A271 203 04 75.
It appears to have been replaced by MB Pt. No: A271 203 05 75 - available from MB Newcastle - But very expensive.
I ordered one from an ebay after-market supplier for £29.65 including delivery from Lithuania.
www.ebay.co.uk
I must admit I held my breath, but the item came quickly.
The thermostat was a Wahler 3457.90D ... exactly the same as originally fitted in the engine.
It came with the two 'O' rings for refitting - one round section and one square section.
No problems.
First thing I did was to check the anti-freeze strength in the coolant tank.
All you can say it that the coolant was blue.
It looks like someone has filled it with water and there was just a trace of anti-freeze.
The anti-freeze strength was pretty-much nil.
I siphoned the coolant tank.
If you push the end of the siphon tube past the end of the tank into the very bottom of the heater pipe underneath, you can drop the coolant level below the level of the thermostat housing.
To remove the thermostat housing, I had to remove the air intake pipe for access.
There are only two long screws to remove on the plastic housing.
The housing is very tight to remove, but comes out with a bit of gentle pursuasion - Being careful not to break the flange.
Once out, the problem was obvious.
The thermostat was stuck fully-open - and looked like it had been like this for some time.
The thermostat is easy to pop out and to replace - Not forgetting the two new seal washers.
The new stat is fitted in the same orientation as the old one and reassembly is just the reverse of the disassembly.
I filled it with a 50% solution of new anti-freeze.
I checked the level in the coolant tank.
The cooling system self-bleeds and it was necessary to top up the tank as the engine warmed up and the air was expelled.
Up went the temperature gauge to between 80 and 90 degrees.
The heater blows hot air.
Result !
I just hope that the higher temperature in the heater pipework and heat exchanger don't find any weak spots.
Fingers crossed.
It's been running too cold ever since I got it.
The temperature gauge has not been getting above 40 degrees.
The heater has not been hot enough.
The engine has been running rich with a smell of unburnt petrol.
The old thermostat was MB Pt. No: A271 203 04 75.
It appears to have been replaced by MB Pt. No: A271 203 05 75 - available from MB Newcastle - But very expensive.
I ordered one from an ebay after-market supplier for £29.65 including delivery from Lithuania.
Security measure
I must admit I held my breath, but the item came quickly.
The thermostat was a Wahler 3457.90D ... exactly the same as originally fitted in the engine.
It came with the two 'O' rings for refitting - one round section and one square section.
No problems.
First thing I did was to check the anti-freeze strength in the coolant tank.
All you can say it that the coolant was blue.
It looks like someone has filled it with water and there was just a trace of anti-freeze.
The anti-freeze strength was pretty-much nil.
I siphoned the coolant tank.
If you push the end of the siphon tube past the end of the tank into the very bottom of the heater pipe underneath, you can drop the coolant level below the level of the thermostat housing.
To remove the thermostat housing, I had to remove the air intake pipe for access.
There are only two long screws to remove on the plastic housing.
The housing is very tight to remove, but comes out with a bit of gentle pursuasion - Being careful not to break the flange.
Once out, the problem was obvious.
The thermostat was stuck fully-open - and looked like it had been like this for some time.
The thermostat is easy to pop out and to replace - Not forgetting the two new seal washers.
The new stat is fitted in the same orientation as the old one and reassembly is just the reverse of the disassembly.
I filled it with a 50% solution of new anti-freeze.
I checked the level in the coolant tank.
The cooling system self-bleeds and it was necessary to top up the tank as the engine warmed up and the air was expelled.
Up went the temperature gauge to between 80 and 90 degrees.
The heater blows hot air.
Result !
I just hope that the higher temperature in the heater pipework and heat exchanger don't find any weak spots.
Fingers crossed.
