Billy's W124 Coupe Project

[RBYCC]

Ah, no leccy fans up front, they are for AC/electronic climate control aren't they? my car has no AC.

In the midst of all things retrofitting even i thought this was a step too far. I did contemplate shifting the A/C out of the donor though, but too much of a job involved.

Billy

You might want to consider installing the dual electric fans in front of the radiator that most M103 and M104 have.
They do tie into the A/C, but main control is from a temp switch that turns the fans on at 105C.
You can modify the circuit with a resistor to turn on at a lower temp.
My fans are modded to turn on at 92C.
I know the UK doesn't always have hot temps but the fans serve a purpose.
Cooler you keep the engine bay, the longer things last !!!

Ed A.

 

[BillyW124]

Billy

You might want to consider installing the dual electric fans in front of the radiator that most M103 and M104 have.
They do tie into the A/C, but main control is from a temp switch that turns the fans on at 105C.
You can modify the circuit with a resistor to turn on at a lower temp.
My fans are modded to turn on at 92C.
I know the UK doesn't always have hot temps but the fans serve a purpose.
Cooler you keep the engine bay, the longer things last !!!

Ed A.

Ok i'm sold....

I've noticed the M104's run very hot indeed, even a good 10-20 min run with my one and its roasting in there. Engine temp guage never goes above the 80 mark and stays bang on. It also gets up to temp in good time so suggests all is working well.

Hot weather doesn't really seem to bother it either. But i'll keep close tabs on it next time i drive in hot weather. This little mod does sound a handy one. I thought these fans were AC/ climate control specific only.

What other bits will i need to get apart from the fans themselves. i.e. brackets, mountings etc. I think the Steering box cooling pipe will need to be changed to the square looking as opposed to the one we retro fitted when the engine swap took place. you can see it in the pics on the previous pages.

 

[LowMilerAMG]

I have only ever heard my twin fans cut in once in the last three years of ownership! Prior to that I like Billy thought they were only for the A/C! Mind you, I don't drive it everyday and we don't usually get a good summer!!!

 

[kth286]

it's an additional layer of complexity you do not need in UK.

* more complexity

* additional weight

* more load on alternator

* thus less mpg

It's all incremental but adds up, and every little bit counts.

 

[BillyW124]

it's an additional layer of complexity you do not need in UK.

* more complexity

* additional weight

* more load on alternator

* thus less mpg

It's all incremental but adds up, and every little bit counts.

Thanks David, I also hear your points for a generic UK view on this mod:

For me personally here's what i think:

* more complexity - In the grand scheme of things with jobs to do and already done this shouldn't be too much effort, besides the most complex bit in this project will be fitting the IR locking! I've already done the heated washer bottle mod and we hardly experience temps that freeze our windscreens! In weather like that, i'd be surprised if i could even get the car off the drive to test!

* additional weight - How much are we really talking, can't be too much i shouldn't imagine.

* more load on alternator - Are there any benefits of upgrading this to a higher capacity one - for overall better performance electrical wise for the vehicle rather than choosing to upgrade it soley for the fan purpose?

* thus less mpg - I should have considered doing 1.2 engine swap! :bannana:

 

[RBYCC]

Billy

Only takes one round of "spirited" driving that can overheat the engine.
Additional auxiliary cooling is minimal cost and an inexpensive bit of insurance.
Really effective getting rid of the heat soak when you turn the engine off.

Not complex, you have the temp sensor in the block, add a relay and a single or dual fan. A few pounds added weight and no effect on mileage or straining even the stock alternator.

I still run my stock 70A alternator on a USA delivery car with A/C and all power along with the aux electric fans....

Never an electrical capacity problem in the 25 years I've owned the car

Ed A.

 

[kth286]

The E320 already has an electric motor in the cooling circuit which comes on (if required) after the engine has been switched off, to combat any hot spots within the engine.

 

[BillyW124]

The E320 already has an electric motor in the cooling circuit which comes on (if required) after the engine has been switched off, to combat any hot spots within the engine.

Are you refering to the normal engine fan i.e. the one in the shroud?

 

[Niks]

The E320 already has an electric motor in the cooling circuit which comes on (if required) after the engine has been switched off, to combat any hot spots within the engine.

Really? I didnt know this. I presume it runs the aux fans?

 

[WDB124066]

It's up by the heater isn't it...??

 

[kth286]

Are you refering to the normal engine fan i.e. the one in the shroud?

On my late 1995 E320 coupe it is next to the duo valves.

After engine switch off the coolant temp is monitored, and if it increases, the electric pump will start and run for up to 10 minutes moving the coolant around the circuit to ensure no local hot spots occur.

 

[BillyW124]

On my late 1995 E320 coupe it is next to the duo valves.

After engine switch off the coolant temp is monitored, and if it increases, the electric pump will start and run for up to 10 minutes moving the coolant around the circuit to ensure no local hot spots occur.

hummm interesting, are you able to get a pic of some sort of this pump next to the duo?

 

[coupe deville]

My 124 has the auxiliary pump alongside the duo valve, similar to this, 00 06 Mercedes Benz A 2208300084 Heater DUO Valve W215 W220 S500 S430 S600 S55 | eBay

 

[BillyW124]

You can just make out my duo valves in this pic, It has the long looking thing on it, is this what we are refering to?

 

[WDB124066]

Billy, have you got Sportline strut mounts in there, doesn't look like it...??

 

[kth286]

You can just make out my duo valves in this pic, It has the long looking thing on it, is this what we are refering to?

Yes Billy, that is the electric circulation pump.

 

[BillyW124]

Billy, have you got Sportline strut mounts in there, doesn't look like it...??

No they are standard at the moment, used the ones off the 320 donor as I believe they were in better condition than my original ones. Will be upgrading them though. Possibly using 129 mounts instead..

 

[WDB124066]

Why...?

 

[babyblueCE]

quality, the best 124 in London and probably the UK also!

 

[kth286]

Billy, have you got Sportline strut mounts in there, doesn't look like it...??

There is no difference.

Perhaps you are referring to your cab model which has the lead vibration damper on top of the strut mount.