C350 CDI om642 correct engine temperature?

[OneForTheRoad]

As stated, I tried 3. All said 65 deg fine

Sound like back heelers to me.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Must be something seriously wrong with mine then! They are talking nonsense.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Must be something seriously wrong with mine then! They are talking nonsense.
View attachment 165496

They are indeed buddy. But I do wonder why they'd spout such shyte. ?

 

[Smiley]

Do yourself a huge favour and get the job done properly at PCS in Horndean.
Halfords may well be capable of changing the thermostat but you will be guaranteed to get the job done properly and first time at PCS.

 

[Smiley]

Diagnostics back from Merc dealer technician regarding my thermostat:

"There are no errors and the sensors and wiring are fine."

And what about the fact it runs cool on the motorway? I left a picture from the data logged in the code reader showing the water and oil at 60 deg or so.

"I can't go off that as it's not our readings. I drove around town and it was up to temp"

FFS

"And our health check says you need all new tyres and brakes"

Get away!?

At end of tether now. Is this proof we're living in a simulation matrix and this is the rather obscure glitch?

Wow.
Your diagnostics were better than the main dealer.
Old school common sense mechanic diagnosis is clearly now completely dead and buried and 100% replaced with computer says........

 

[Richteo]

Tbf I didn't think it was too bad (noting that they said the same as every other mb specialist and considering I got a courtesy car and could drop off early and collect late, so convenient for work), it was about 200 for diagnostics (also asked them to check something else in addition) and 370 for a full gearbox service (decided to get that done for piece of mind at same time).

They quoted 1250 to do the thermostat but with no guarantee it would have the desired effect on engine temp (don't ask me).

So late yesterday I phoned a Halfords Auto Centre which seems to have good Google feedback and, instead of my usual non-patronising way of explaining the symptoms and hoping the chap would say you need a thermostat instead of 'that sounds fine mate', i said "my thermostat needs replacing how much is that?" He quoted 480. So it's booked for 28th. Only now am slightly concerned about a non-specialist chain garage working on it. Is it straight forward compared to other makes?

Thanks for all the replies, very much appreciated as I was beginning to doubt my own judgement .

I hope the mpg improves afterwards otherwise my '4 cylinders or less belongs in a motorbike ' opinion will be forced to change

£1250 is comedy pricing. It is a PITA job and I'd insist all the turbo ducting seals are replaced at the same time. The worst bit for me (on the drive with the car on ramps) was the resonator bolts on the front of the engine. I removed the lower one from the bottom. For the CLS WIS does say take out the fan (I didn't).

As I've previously posted you want to be doing fuel filter while you are in there. £480 still feels very, very punchy.

Personally I'd be complaining about the misdiagnosis too. All that money to be told something that is clearly incorrect....

 

[W1ghty]

F

For every person who says 1 hour there'll be another who took 3 weekends due to a snapped bolt/other calamity

Maybe ? But your car is newer than mine so the bolts will be even easier to come out ?
So MB have quoted £1100 in Labour charges for the thermostat ? Vs my 1 hour DIY .

 

[Richteo]

From memory all the bolts are M6 into aluminium. None of them will snap, more chance of threads coming out.

 

[Richteo]

Maybe ? But your car is newer than mine so the bolts will be even easier to come out ?
So MB have quoted £1100 in Labour charges for the thermostat ? Vs my 1 hour DIY .

good point and well worth lifting the engine cover to see what style of turbo ducting you have. If you have the earlier version the job is very simple.

 

[MrGreedy]

On my 2011 car, I was a bit nervous when the long buried bolt for the thermostat seemed like it wouldn't come out, discussed here

I completed the job okay, but I can understand the OP's reluctance to tackle this.
I also didn't remove the resonator bolts - you can get a small ratchet in the space, and just loosen the bolts a few turns so the resonator box and silver air charge piping can be wiggled.
I'd second replacing all the seals, and making sure they are lubed up with silicone grease before reassembly, otherwise nipping and tearing a seal is common, which then leads to boost issues.
PCS will be all familiar with this.
I know they were one of the specialists that advised 65°C is normal (which it isn't), but maybe that tech was having a bad day. I'm sure if you booked it in there for a replacement, they would do a good job. I think they are now closed until New Year unfortunately.

In terms of pricing, a couple of three years ago when I last went, PCS were doing ATF service for forum members for something starting with a £2xx.
They have always seemed competitive.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Picture of my broken thermostat sitting at 90.

 

[philnewmerc]

MB wis says 4 hours apparently.
Tbh anyone who can do it in 1 should open a garage and makes ££££.
I can imagine doing it and it going well. I can also imagine getting stuck due to a rounded bolt head or something simple but annoying. If it takes an experienced mechanic 4h it will take me at least 8. Eff that right off, as the kids say. I'd rather pay 1200 nicker lol. But tbf the actual gearbox service was 370 which seemed reasonable to me as I've paid ~250-300 from v good independents before now. But the other prices are i agree, astronomical. They're basically we don't want to do it prices, i suspect.

 

[philnewmerc]

Having said that, i am nervous letting Halfords do it. But on the other hand if they feck it up they will pay to fix it as they're a big brand so that's reassuring in a way. Plus they're round the corner, will do it on a Saturday, and didn't say it's normal, so fair play to them... So far*

*Yes i know my posts in a week or 2 might be along the lines of how do i sue Halfords for ruining my engine

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Having said that, i am nervous letting Halfords do it. But on the other hand if they feck it up they will pay to fix it as they're a big brand so that's reassuring in a way. Plus they're round the corner, will do it on a Saturday, and didn't say it's normal, so fair play to them... So far*

*Yes i know my posts in a week or 2 might be along the lines of how do i sue Halfords for ruining my engine

What could go wrong eh ??