97,e420,overheating

[ROMERC]

Have just acquired an E420 estate, LHD and German origin so 4.2 v8 engine. I have just driven it from Uk to Romania and an absolute delight to speed past the odd big Audi! However, it did start to overheat in traffic jams and I had to turn heating full on to avoid stalling, not pleasant when 90F outside. It uses no water and has just been serviced. Do I just have to live with this?

 

[Smiley]

is the fan kicking in when stationary? Another possibility is slightly furred up radiator core slowing the flow rate. Does the temp gauge rise when you are climbing long hills as well?

 

[ROMERC]

E420 overheating

Thanks for the reply - both fans at the front are working, and yes it does heat up on hills. The temp guage gets up to 100C then slowly comes down when cruising - the previous owner says he had no problem like this. Could the fuel octane have anything to do with this? I am using premium 98 or 99. I also think the catalytic converter may be broken as one of them seems to be ratling about.

 

[lynall]

Im assuming its got a viscous fan if so i would suspect this or thermostst not opening fully or the rad or a combination of the three.



Lynall

 

[Smiley]

My bet is it is the rad that is slightly furred up - has it been kept in an area with hard limescale water?

try getting the engine hot and then running your hand over the radiator and see if you can find hot and cool patches; if yes then it is new radiator time. Fill it up with MB coolant and distilled water NOT tap water.

Or you could just try flushing it and filling with distilled water see if it improves it.