Engine temp!

[luders79]

Hello all,

Just got a quick question for the guys on here ive currently got a '96' 210 E320 (104 eng) in the work shop what would you expect it to read on the temp gauge? I thought it would have been about 90 i.e inbetween the 80 -100 marks. but the one i have sits just on or above the 100 mark which im sure isn't right! but couldn't say for definate. It has had a new viscous coupling (fan drive), but the probelm i seem to have is that the drive doesn't seem to cut in fully as the additional a/c fans are running which seems to be blowing enough cool air though for it not to cut in! if i unplug them to stop them running the fan cuts in but still in sits at the same point! the heater in hot as are the hoses and the rad seems fairly hot too! I was doing it late in the day so didn't get much more time to look at much more as i was on here i thought i would just post and see what people thought! I havn't had chance to look yet but am i right in thinking the additional fans cut when engine temp rises to certain point to assit with cooling engine ecu sends a/c panel data to run fans!and all runs off the coolant temp sensor in top of water pump think its a 4 pin black connector.

note the fans run with and without a/c panel on !

 

[MercStraight6]

Not right at all; I have a W124 E280 with a very similar 104 engine and it stays in the middle of the gauge, just above 80.

 

[television]

100c is perfect, just what you need.

The visco cuts into full power at around 95c,this is because the thermostat opens at 87c, the electric fans cut in at about 100c.

Very hard working it out as the electric mainly work when the air con is on.

You can test the visco at 100c with a carrot, where it should chop it up,,if it stops the visco clutch has gone.

 

[luders79]

it's odd because the viscous doesn't cut in/roar as they do whilst i keep the a/c fans plugged in ! but if i unplug the a/c fans the coupling will cut in a roar away when it's rev'ed i'm just abit myth'ed as to why the a/c fans seem to run as soon as car get up to temp.

 

[television]

it's odd because the viscous doesn't cut in/roar as they do whilst i keep the a/c fans plugged in ! but if i unplug the a/c fans the coupling will cut in a roar away when it's rev'ed i'm just abit myth'ed as to why the a/c fans seem to run as soon as car get up to temp.

Turn the air con off and try it

 

[luders79]

done that the fans still run with the haeter panel off completely and with ec but pressed!

 

[television]

Then the sensor for the electric fans could be faulty there are man variations on these cars. the early ones had 1 fan, then 2 coupled by a belt, the 3rd version has 2 stage electric fans that come on at different times

 

[MercStraight6]

100c is perfect, just what you need.

The visco cuts into full power at around 95c,this is because the thermostat opens at 87c, the electric fans cut in at about 100c.

Very hard working it out as the electric mainly work when the air con is on.

You can test the visco at 100c with a carrot, where it should chop it up,,if it stops the visco clutch has gone.

I don't agree. I have never seen a W124 that runs at 100c, every one I've seen runs at no more than about 90c when up to temperature. Mine does, and I've just fitted a new thermostat.

Running at 100c is bad and will increase engine wear. I would recommend that you check your thermostat and replace the coolant with the correct 50/50 mixture.

 

[luders79]

yeah this is the 2 belt driven ones is the sensor fo the fans the the receiver dryer tank for the a/c? or could it be a probelm with the engine coolant temp sensor?
Thanks for your input so far.

 

[television]

I don't agree. I have never seen a W124 that runs at 100c, every one I've seen runs at no more than about 90c when up to temperature. Mine does, and I've just fitted a new thermostat.

Running at 100c is bad and will increase engine wear. I would recommend that you check your thermostat and replace the coolant with the correct 50/50 mixture.

Running at 100 or 105 is the optimum temp for any petrol engine, there is no electric fan made by MB that cuts in under 100c and the stage 2 versions come in around 105c

 

[television]

yeah this is the 2 belt driven ones is the sensor fo the fans the the receiver dryer tank for the a/c? or could it be a probelm with the engine coolant temp sensor?
Thanks for your input so far.

Now I know the version I can look up the sheets, but I have turned off tonight the other computer.

I will check in the morning, but my early comments were near enough right.

I will try and find a timing chart for the sequence

 

[kth286]

I don't agree. I have never seen a W124 that runs at 100c, every one I've seen runs at no more than about 90c when up to temperature. Mine does, and I've just fitted a new thermostat.

Running at 100c is bad and will increase engine wear. I would recommend that you check your thermostat and replace the coolant with the correct 50/50 mixture.

Engine coolant thermostat start of opening approx 85 - 89 degrees

Max opening at 102 degrees.

Viscous fan clutch cut-in temp is 96 - 104 degrees

Pressure cap opens at 1.2 -1.5 bars at coolant temp of 130 degrees.

(from 124 manual)

variations due to different engines ie. 103 and 104 engines.

 

[dbmoylan]

My 104 engine (1993 Benz 300SE / W140) runs just a tad under 100C (about 95C or so) on hot days and when engine working hard (afternoon) - outside temp. about 90F. I recommend you make sure your radiator cap is working properly (cheap item) & your reservoir is full of fluid. It makes a difference - I just went through this routine recently, and noticed a little drop in fluid level made a difference in keeping engine temp. at about 95C vs. about 100C. Was focusing on other parts when in fact filling the reservoir to the high mark brought the engine temp. down.

That being said, I understand our Benz's & the engineers liked that the engines run close to 100C for the M104 (rather hot in my personal opinion). I also understand that the front cooling fans have 3 stages/speeds - controlled by both the A/C and engine temperature.

I'd also check your thermostat & replace w/ a new one to see if it makes a difference. Not that expensive. I was able to bring down temp. out of 100C range when I replaced my thermostat in the past.

Just my 2 cents worth . . .

 

[luders79]

Thank you all that replied, went in this morning a back to the basic's replaced stat as no history on it ever being done !!! bob's your uncle engine temp sit's at just over 90!!!

Thanks again to peoples input

 

[White230CE]

Engine coolant thermostat start of opening approx 85 - 89 degrees

Max opening at 102 degrees.

Viscous fan clutch cut-in temp is 96 - 104 degrees

Pressure cap opens at 1.2 -1.5 bars at coolant temp of 130 degrees.

(from 124 manual)

variations due to different engines ie. 103 and 104 engines.

Hi David,

Wonder if I could pick your (and others') brains please.

Just had to replace the thermostat cover on my W124 230CE. GSF only supplies a whole unit, ie metal casting, plastic cover, seal and thermostat, and after doing my sums and with a discount, that's what I got.

However, the packaging states that the thermostat is rated at 78 degrees, whereas the individual thermostat sold by GSF is rated at 87 degrees. When I queried this, I was told the numbers were just averages.

With the old thermostat, my car ran midway between 80 and 90, ie 87, I guess. With the new, it runs at or slightly below 80, ie 78, I guess.

Which is correct please, and does it make a difference that my car is an aircon model?

Thanks

 

[television]

Hi David,

Wonder if I could pick your (and others') brains please.

Just had to replace the thermostat cover on my W124 230CE. GSF only supplies a whole unit, ie metal casting, plastic cover, seal and thermostat, and after doing my sums and with a discount, that's what I got.

However, the packaging states that the thermostat is rated at 78 degrees, whereas the individual thermostat sold by GSF is rated at 87 degrees. When I queried this, I was told the numbers were just averages.

With the old thermostat, my car ran midway between 80 and 90, ie 87, I guess. With the new, it runs at or slightly below 80, ie 78, I guess.

Which is correct please, and does it make a difference that my car is an aircon model?

Thanks

The range of the thermostat is used for different countries.

We use around 87c to 90c here in the uk, it would appear that the kits that GSF sell come a country that uses a lower setting. The water only starts to circulate as the stat opens. It does seem a little on the cool side to have a 78c stat as near enough 100c is the optimum temp to have the engine at,,, you will be OK though with global warming.

 

[kth286]

the thinking has always been the hotter the engine without boiling is the best for efficiency as the fuel gets atomised and combusted properly.

 

[White230CE]

Thanks chaps. I think I will try to exchange it for an 87, or fork out the £6 for it. As for curries, so for engines: I like them on the hot side!

 

[television]

Thanks chaps. I think I will try to exchange it for an 87, or fork out the £6 for it. As for curries, so for engines: I like them on the hot side!

It will be more economical,,and the heater warmer in the Winter

 

[Alex Crow]

one more point to add, occasionaly viscous fans have problems with cold spots in rads. i have seen them not cut in due to partially blocked rads with cool/cold central cores adjacent to the viscous fan hub.