R129SL Water Temperature - Is This Correct?

[CharlesdeGaulle]

I have a 91 500SL. The water temp gauge sits at 60 when the car is warm and up and running. Is that normal? I realise that the ambient temperature is low at the moment, but I wondered if that seems a little low? If it is, what should I be looking at?

Any thoughts? Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Stratman]

That's much too low.

New thermostat time.

 

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Thanks Stratman. Would there be any other symptoms arising from a faulty thermostat?

 

[Stratman]

The heater will be fairly anaemic and the fuel consumption will be higher than it should be.

 

[CharlesdeGaulle]

That very much sounds right. New thermostat it is! Many thanks.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup sounds like thermostat failed open. You can tell with the bonnet open ... the radiator top hose will start to get warm soon after starting the engine. It should stay cold till the engine is fully up to temperature.