Mine is always about 75 unless I push it hard and then get stuck in traffic. The sudden stop and slow running make it up to 80.
Will a new thermostat get the temperature highter? Or can we tweak the actual thermostat to get highter temperatures?
Oh, where is the thermostat located?
Thanks.
Olivier
Your car seems to be a '97 E 300 TD. I had a job finding the thermostat too! It is on the right as you face the front, at the bottom of the engine, just in front of the turbo.
The original ones fitted have been replaced with a new model, which requires a new housing: total cost was about £35.
They are a bit of a pain to get at, compared with conventional locations, and a little awkward to get back in. You need a TORX socket (sorry can't remember the size, and am a few thousand miles from home). The socket was easily available from Halfords, and was round about £2/3.
It easiest with a pit to get at from below. You have to get the undertrays off (so THAT was where the persistent rumble came from!), a little messy I expect, as mine were.
It is easiest to take the turbo trunking off, or move it aside, taking care with the cleanliness side of things.
I drained off what coolant I could, and saved it, as it was immaculate. Use a cloth or whatever filter to put it back in. I used kitchen paper in a funnel. I did not drain the block, as I could not find the block drain plug, and I read in another post in another forum that that would suffice. The radiator drain plug is on the nearside of the radiator. I drained it by taking off the end of the bottom hose away from the radiator due to difficulty in removing the clamp on the radiator end: it was easier to save the fluid that way.
Fairly straight forward really.
The operating temp went back to normal, i.e. the gauge needle was horizontal.
Enjoy!!