Engine Temp?

[Niks]

I would like to ask your opinion on what the average engine temperature is mean't to be during normal urban driving with moderate traffic for a W124 E280?

During traffic times, the temp gauge climbs close to 100 and just sits there.. is this normal for a six cylinder or is the fan supposed to kick in and keep it at 80?

When I drive on motorways or go above 45mph, it drops close to 80.

This is the first time ive owned a six cylinder so im not too familiar with it just yet in terms of its temp behaviour. Is it a sign for future problems or is it completely normal?

Cheers

 

[w124nut]

Both my E220 and E320 W124s ran at just above 80 whether on a motorway or in town.

 

[stevesey]

I'd check the viscous coupling is working (test fan with a carrot, not your fingers, after temp starts increasing). After umpteen FWD cars with electric fans where the temp always rises in traffic (until the fan cuts in) my merc just sits there at 82ish degrees.

 

[Niks]

Ok im glad I asked, I think it has to be the viscous coupling as I had this same problem with my E220. The temp just kept rising until one day it overheated above 100 and eventually warped the headgasket.

I'll stop driving the car until I get it changed to prevent any further possible damage.

 

[Dieselman]

100c isn't overheating, the gauge red line starts at 120c.

 

[kth286]

100c isn't overheating, the gauge red line starts at 120c.

Agreed.

The engine coolant thermostat starts opening at around 85 to 89 C and is fully open at around 102 C.

The viscous fan cut in temperature, whilst operated by air temperature, Mercedes deem the coolant temperature at that point to be around 96 to 104 C .

Mercedes test for checking cut in temperature of viscous fan is to run engine at fast revs, and once coolant temperature has reached approx 95 C the speed of the viscous fan must increase and this can clearly be heard by a loud whoosh.

 

[Ade B]

Mine has run hot since I've had it. Sits at 85-90 normally and climbs to 110 in heavy traffic on a hot day. Mine has aftermarket AC which has only 1 auxilliary fan and no vents in the front valance which I suspect doesn't help cooling.

Having gone through extensive diagnostics with various techs on rad, thermostat, viscous coupling, cylinder head etc.., I've come to the conclusion that nothing is actually wrong with it. (except for recent thermostat cover explosion...)

I'd say that your car is running within spec for its age.

Ade

 

[Adam230K]

Your car is running as it should. mine sits just above 80, and rises to 90 in heavy traffic.

 

[lynall]

Bought mine last summer ran at 80 ish on the motorway rising to 100 in traffic, stuck new viscous on and now always between 80 and 90c.

Was same on wifes old 1996 320 w210 new viscous sorted it.

New viscous a lot lot cheaper than any engine work.



Lynall

 

[abs]

i have a 1997 c36 amg and when im driving on the motorway it sit at 80 and in the traffic sits just below 100. could someone please tell me what a viscous is and how much they are?

thanks

 

[lynall]

See here item 11 Êàòàëîã

From the russian site very usefule keep as favourite loads of info.

Hub for mine was £75, think cheaper for 320 and smaller engines.



Lynall

 

[Smiley]

A radiator that is partially restricted will also cause these symptoms - my 124 e300d was running hotter (not overheating) going up long hills and in traffic - but never got above 100 - changed the rad and now it never goes above 90 and it takes much longer in traffic to move from about 82 to 90 - before it moved to 90 and then 100 quite quickly.
I was told that the water ways are quite narrow in these rads and if tap water has been used in a hard water area then this can cause a slight build up in the rad and reduce the performance - dont know how true this is but it certainly fixed my car.
I now use distilled water with the MB coolant as the distillled water is very cheap compared with a new rad!

 

[SilverSaloon]

Your car is running as it should. mine sits just above 80, and rises to 90 in heavy traffic.

same for me in my E300D 124

 

[jrggino]

Temp 300td 1999

Hi All, I was also worried about the gauge rising. Mine can reach just over the 100 and I used to worry. My car is in italy and its hot I have everything on and in trafic or cliaming a mounting it does go hi, and the fan's cut in, when out of traffic of off a heavy load the temp quickly comes down.
Is There no way of Locking the viscus fan if you have problems with it !!! Ie glue of metal set it ! I know you would have to concider balance if you did this! has anyone managed to lock it up when in trouble!!!

Gino

 

[grober]

Hi All, I was also worried about the gauge rising. Mine can reach just over the 100 and I used to worry. My car is in italy and its hot I have everything on and in trafic or cliaming a mounting it does go hi, and the fan's cut in, when out of traffic of off a heavy load the temp quickly comes down.
Is There no way of Locking the viscus fan if you have problems with it !!! Ie glue of metal set it ! I know you would have to concider balance if you did this! has anyone managed to lock it up when in trouble!!!

Gino

This guy did a modification different VC unit but principle is the same.
K6JRF Auto Page

 

[RBYCC]

This guy did a modification different VC unit but principle is the same.
K6JRF Auto Page

You may also want to consider the "cool harness" on the same website.
I installed the 92C unit on my M103-12V Turbotechnics twin turbo.
The resistance modification turns the aux electric fans on about 10C sooner then the stock setting.

No overheating in 35C + ambient temps !

K6JRF Auto Page

 

[m1bnk]

My E36 ran same as yours, and the viscous coupling was ok. On hot days in traffic it touched 100, mostly it sat at 80.

In an emergency I have modified viscous fan units simply by torquing up the centre bolt until it is to tight it locks the coupling on all the time. Not tried it on a Merc so dunno if it'll work, but it's a quick and easy emergency fix if parts are not available. In fact, there's umpteen ways to lock the coupling with drill and bolts if you are definitely going to replace it and a spare is not available immediately. If it's broke it's broke, more broke doesn't matter.

 

[renault12ts]

My car sat at or below 60c. I changed the thermostat and now it sits at 90c ( digital readout on ACC ).

 

[bouncer]

Take a look at this. My temp was always steady at 80 on motorway or when moving, but went up to 90 when standing.

www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/68227-boom.html#post759853

sTeVe