My 1988 300TE - update

[David McConnell]

Gentlemen,

Just before Christmas a number of forum members - too many to mention - were kind enough to offer me helpful suggestions for my severe overheating problem on a 156,000 mile, 1988 300TE auto purchased last summer. Heavy fuel consumption compounded my biggest fear that the head gasket was on its way.

I thought you might like to know that I think the problem has been fixed - and its not (touch wood) the head gasket, thankfully. My trusted garage flushed the cooling system, cleaned off some rust, fitted a new thermostat and sealing ring and added 4 litres of anti-freeze. It cost me 180 pounds. I've been driving it for a few weeks since, including some heavy London traffic when I'm pleased to say the gauge moved up to around the 90 mark but not much further (previously it would rise up to 120) and then upon moving off soon resumed its normal position (I used to have to switch off the engine and leave it for an hour or so).

I don't think the fuel economy has improved. I guess I have to accept the model is infamously thirsty, especially if driven the way I do - frequent short, stop/start journeys. I have resisted measuring exact consumption as frankly, I'd rather not know how bad it is.

On the down side, the wife has bought a boxer dog which has now vomited twice, once down the side of front passenger seat and door and the other on the seat and centre console (and no, I don't have leather interior). And there was me thinking the car possessed a wafty smooth ride! Dog obviously disagrees...

The car may now be a tad smelly and the exhaust needs replacing, as do the brake pads, but with everything else working including all the electrics I'm once again a happy and relieved MB owner. The car cost just 900 pounds last July (with lots of service history) so every month that goes by it becomes a better and better bargain.

Thanks again to forum members.

DMcC

 

[paulcallender]

I thankfully don't have a dog, but the previous owner did. While it was never sick in the car (W124 230TE), to my knowledge, it was quite a hairy dog and it took me AGES to try and clean all the hairs off the carpeted areas in the boot. Its much cleaner now, but I guess I will never completely remove the evidence of dog.

 

[turnipsock]

I'm just about to have another go at sorting out my cooling system on my 320CE.

I was at the dealers today and ordered the correct bits of cowling for the sides of the radiator, still only about £4!

I have some stuff to flush the radiator and will probably try and do a reverse flush.

I've also ordered a new radiator cap as I was getting that boiling smell sometimes, the old one looks a bit worn.

I'll fill the radiator with anti freeze and water wetter to increase the cooling capacicty.

I have noticed that since the weather warmed up that my gauge goes up and down a bit.

If all this doesn't work, I suppose I could get some dry ice and throw it into the radiator every time I'm stationary.