W124 running temperature

[grenachenoir]

My 300CE seems to operate "warmed up" at around 50 degrees and hardly ever gets up to 80. Is this normal? It seems a bit cold to me. Any advice on what I should be looking at? Could the thermostat be stuck and if so would this be making my cold starts difficult?

Adam

 

[fredfloggle]

50C isn't warm enough - though the stat wouldn't make a difference to cold starts , apart from engine wear following start up and fuel efficiency .

 

[grenachenoir]

Thanks fredfloggle - any idewhy it might be running so cool?

 

[grenachenoir]

sorry that should say "idea" - poor keyboard or too much wine, I guess i'll never be sure...

 

[fredfloggle]

as you say , stat missing or failed , are you sure that the displayed temperature is accurate ?

 

[television]

How many fans do you have, the engine Visco reaches full power at 80c any electric should not start below 100c

 

[Howard]

Mine sits at 80 , when sitting in traffic , it can rise to 100+ before the fan comes on .....

Had a new stat in it a while back , so i know its ok ...

Mines a 230CE , only one fan on mine , no air con either .....

 

[Dieselman]

Mine sits at 80 , when sitting in traffic , it can rise to 100+ before the fan comes on .....

Had a new stat in it a while back , so i know its ok ...

Mines a 230CE , only one fan on mine , no air con either .....

That sounds dead right anyway.

 

[grenachenoir]

Thanks for all the comments. Mine has aircon and I think 2 fans but I'll need to check. Off on hols today so will probably have to wait until I get back.

Good point fredfloggle about whether the gauge is accurate - I have no idea! I suppose letting it idle until the viscous fan cuts in and then checking if the gauge reads 80 would be a quick check.

 

[Howard]

That sounds dead right anyway.

I wasn't suggesting that something was wrong with it , just that that's what they're supposed to do ...

If you are sitting stationary , the fan will start up ( and make it sound like a muscle car ) at 100+ , not 80 ....

 

[grenachenoir]

Silly supplementary question - can I change the stat without draining the coolant?

 

[grober]

You can partly drain the system via the radiator drain plug which will allow you to change the thermostat. Keep the coolant for refilling the system which should be a 50/50 water antifreeze mix