230TE Running Hot - Concerns about high running temp of 230T

[stu thornton]

I have recently purchased my first MB, a 1988 230TE in excellent (original) condition with full history.  The car is superb and the quality of engineering (as a Mechanical Engineer myself) is second to none.  However, I have some concerns regarding the running temp of the engine.  Under normal driving conditions the gauge sits just above the 80 deg C mark, but when in traffic it rises rapidly to just below the red before the fan engages.  There is a definite "click" when it does engage, having observed with the bonnet raised at standstill to ensure it was operating.  My questions are:-
1. What temp should the fan kick in?
2. What is the mechanism for engaging the fan, could there be a faulty switch?
3. Is it normal for the engine to run this hot so quickly in coolish ambient temps and conditions, could the thermostat be faulty?
4. There seems to be excessive pre-ignition (pinking) when the engine is hot.  Could the problem be connected with over advanced ignition timing?
I have lots of questions relating to the car, but I would really appreciate any assistance with the above.

 

[Matt Crooke]

230TE Running Hot

Hi Stu, congrats on the purchase of an MB...good choice if i may say so.

In answer to your questions....

1. Fan should kick in at 100c, expect everso slightly higher on a not so new fan switch

2. by the sounds of it, if there is a click, you have the electromagnetic fan...they work similar to a viscous style fan, only the clutch is operated electrically, rather than by the engine heat. On my 190, the switch for this is on the top front of the engine, just in front of the rocker cover...its gold and red and pretty easy to see. (as mine went a while back and i had to get a new one)

3. It does sound like you have a stuck thermostat on yours, it may only be partially open, hence the hot running. When it is hot, have you felt the rad...is it hot or luke warm. If its luke warm there may be a blockage, or the dodgy stat as mentioned.

4. Get the timing checked for the pinking. The car mau have been adjusted incorrectly to run on unleaded or something...so gat a strobe and have a go!

Any other questions, feel free to post...thats what we are hear for!

Regards

 

[Anonymous]

230TE Running Hot

HI Matt

How hot dose your 190 run on average , mine seems to sit ~80-85C is this too hot ??

 

[steveperry]

230TE Running Hot

White190,

My old 190E used to run between 80 and 90 degC which I was told is quite normal.

S.

 

[Matt Crooke]

230TE Running Hot

White

Mine sits at just above 80 while driving, it raises in traffic until it reached the 100 mark then the fan cuts in and brings it down again. While you are in traffic it will usually fluctuate between 90 and 100 as the fan cuts in and out, but will drop to 80 again when you get on the move.

So yours sounds fine to me.

One of the things that gets people, as in all the cars ive had, apart from this one, there has never been any actualy numbers on the temp gauge, only lines to mark 1/4 1/2 3/4 etc. When you do finally get a car with numbers, because they are all pretty near boiling point, it seems to worry people!!! It did me at first as well!!!

 

[stu thornton]

230TE Running Hot

Thanks for the tips and info everybody, much appreciated.

I`ve checked and there is a switch which matches your description Matt in the location you suggested.  I`ll probably replace the switch (and the thermostat) for what it`s worth.

On the point of temp gauge markings, where is the 100 mark?  I assume it is the one between the 80 and 120 but the distances between the markings are not equal!

Thanks

 

[Matt Crooke]

230TE Running Hot

Stu,

Glad to hear you found the switch,

and yeah, you are right about the temp marking, thats the 100.