Clk 320 convertible

[Hillman]

Hi. My 2004 320 clk is amazing but quick bursts of "enthusiastic" acceleration produce a hot smell from the engine.

In the old days I would replace the thermostat would this still be the case today?

 

[Blobcat]

What’s the temp gauge show?

 

[Jim2]

Anything to do with it's age, low mileage and the fact that the previous Lady owner might have had a more sedate driving style? Could still be at the " Running In " stage ? ( I know, I know, running in is a thing of the past, but you get my point) When it does this, have you had a look under the bonnet while the engine is running, and maybe spot the culprit?
Hope that it's nothing serious anyway.

 

[00slk]

My 55 does a similar thing, but with odours

 

[Hillman]

Hi all. Jim2 good point I only have minimal info. Ok the car has 86k mikes on it, temp gauge shows just over 80 and doesn't raise in traffic or when driving. The engine performs beautifully and is very smooth.

The smell comes when you accelerating hard but this is for a really short time. As an example 0-60 say 9 seconds whilst engine is up to temp and the hot smell is there yet drive for 20 miles under normal conditions and nothing.

Been under the bonnet and all looks fine. I can't see any leaks (apart from an old rocker cover oil leak which doesn't show any fresh oil). Car was serviced 2k miles ago in Dec last year and the dash says Oil level is correct. Radiator feels cool to touch when I reach down at the front yet the top "cross member if that the correct name" is hot to touch. This is the panel the bonnet latches into. Plus the top hose on the radiator feels hotter than the bottom hose.

Gearbox shifts really well. I think that's all I have for now. Sorry for the lack of info in my first post.

 

[grahamcol]

You're probably worrying needlessly then. Thinking back, my "old" C200 used to smell quite a lot. It had well over 100k on the clock but it never overheated or broke down. I'm jealous as I'd really love to get hold of a nice CLK320 coupe.

 

[Hillman]

You're probably worrying needlessly then. Thinking back, my "old" C200 used to smell quite a lot. It had well over 100k on the clock but it never overheated or broke down. I'm jealous as I'd really love to get hold of a nice CLK320 coupe.

I have to say I love this car. It's just stunning to look at and drive and what an engine I'll see if anything develops. Here's a photo of her

 

[Jim2]

Hi all. Jim2 good point I only have minimal info. Ok the car has 86k mikes on it, temp gauge shows just over 80 and doesn't raise in traffic or when driving. The engine performs beautifully and is very smooth.

The smell comes when you accelerating hard but this is for a really short time. As an example 0-60 say 9 seconds whilst engine is up to temp and the hot smell is there yet drive for 20 miles under normal conditions and nothing.

Been under the bonnet and all looks fine. I can't see any leaks (apart from an old rocker cover oil leak which doesn't show any fresh oil). Car was serviced 2k miles ago in Dec last year and the dash says Oil level is correct. Radiator feels cool to touch when I reach down at the front yet the top "cross member if that the correct name" is hot to touch. This is the panel the bonnet latches into. Plus the top hose on the radiator feels hotter than the bottom hose.

Gearbox shifts really well. I think that's all I have for now. Sorry for the lack of info in my first post.

The cross-member you mention, is called the "Top Locking Panel", and as it's also near the radiator, it can get a bit warmer than the surrounding panels. Ditto the to water hose, that's the one that carry's hot water from the cylinder head to the radiator to be cooled, the bottom hose is carrying the cooled water back to the engine to keep it at the correct temperature.So that's why the different temp, but it's completely normal. Might the hot smell be coming from the interior, under the dash, from the heater / aircon matrix? Can you get it from the dash vent's? They are strange symptom's all right.. but do they occur every time you accelerate? or only occasionally? Temporary " Gliche's" like this are always difficult to pin down, but I'm sure that if some one here on the Forum has experienced the same thing, they will gladly share the info with you. Alternatively, if you want peace of mind,get it scanned with iCarsoft or STAR.
Good Luck,

 

[Hillman]

That makes a lot of sense and funny you should mention icarsoft as I am looking at buying one this week. Are they as good as they look?

 

[Jim2]

That makes a lot of sense and funny you should mention icarsoft as I am looking at buying one this week. Are they as good as they look?

Yes, INMO, Get the MB iCarsoft V2 ( not the MB iCarsoft 11, which is the earlier model, and the one I have. The newer model was introduced 1 week after I had bought mine... ) You can order it from uk direct, who are official suppliers, and they will supply updates as they become available ( something which is not guaranteed with all supplier's ). Just follow the instructions that come with it, registration etc, download the data onto the supplied micro card, insert it into the scanner, and off you go. They are simple to use, plug it into the socket under the dash ( near the bonnet release) turn on the ignition, identify the model MB you have and select "automatic" or "manual" scan mode. Press "OK" and it will scan. After it has finished, you can go through each section to check for stored fault's and either delete them, or investigate further. It allow's you access to data stream's in each section too, but you cannot go too deep that you can do more harm than good.( At least I have not been able to go that deep) which is a good thing...it's a very usefull tool, but like all tool's, you need to know how to use them.
Good Luck with it, and keep the update's coming.