Car overheating, need help!
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Joined: May 2005
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Car overheating, need help!
OK so I was replacing the plug wires on my 89' 190E 2.6 and after pulling out the old ones and getting the new ones in I went to start the car. However In my haste to fire the engine up I forgot to tuck the plug wires away from the engine fan and one of them snagged it and stoped it from moving. As soom as i saw what happened i shut the engine off.
So I too a quick look at the wire and their was no damage, and when i restarted the car with the wires out of the way the fan spins normally. However since this occured the car has been running abnormally hot. I mean It has always put out a lot of heat but now it is at the extream point. I tested it letting it run in my garage for about 20 minutes and the temp gage climbed up to about 110 C
.
OK so here is the thing, I really have no knowledge of MB products so i have no idea what I might have screwd up or what is broken. Dows anyone have any suggestions or ideas on where to start looking? The coolant hoses get hot to the point where if you touch them you could get burnt instantly, so maybe the coolant is not flowing? Or if the water pump was broke would I be able to tell?
So I too a quick look at the wire and their was no damage, and when i restarted the car with the wires out of the way the fan spins normally. However since this occured the car has been running abnormally hot. I mean It has always put out a lot of heat but now it is at the extream point. I tested it letting it run in my garage for about 20 minutes and the temp gage climbed up to about 110 C
. OK so here is the thing, I really have no knowledge of MB products so i have no idea what I might have screwd up or what is broken. Dows anyone have any suggestions or ideas on where to start looking? The coolant hoses get hot to the point where if you touch them you could get burnt instantly, so maybe the coolant is not flowing? Or if the water pump was broke would I be able to tell?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 462
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From: By the City by the Bay, CA
2001 E320 (210.065), Brilliant Silver; 2002 Ducati ST-2, Arrest-me Red
Couple of things to look at
Hi, did you only run it in your garage?
If so, let it cool down all the way, then start it up and drive it at moderate speeds (not in stop and go traffic) so that air is moving through the radiator. If the temp stays normal then you may have damaged the fan (if the fan is not electric, then you may have damaged the fan clutch). It's also possible the snag tore loose a wire from a temp sensor so it's keeping the fan from coming on (again, if it's electric).
The fan really only is necessary at lower speeds to ensure air movement through the radiator, so if it stays normal when you're driving, you know it's nothing like the water pump or thermostat.
However, if driving at moderate speeds also leads to overheating, then it's probably unrelated to what you did. If that's the case, I'd suggest taking it to a good mechanic since you'll spend lots of money and time chasing the problem.
Good luck and enjoy the ride,
Greg
If so, let it cool down all the way, then start it up and drive it at moderate speeds (not in stop and go traffic) so that air is moving through the radiator. If the temp stays normal then you may have damaged the fan (if the fan is not electric, then you may have damaged the fan clutch). It's also possible the snag tore loose a wire from a temp sensor so it's keeping the fan from coming on (again, if it's electric).
The fan really only is necessary at lower speeds to ensure air movement through the radiator, so if it stays normal when you're driving, you know it's nothing like the water pump or thermostat.
However, if driving at moderate speeds also leads to overheating, then it's probably unrelated to what you did. If that's the case, I'd suggest taking it to a good mechanic since you'll spend lots of money and time chasing the problem.
Good luck and enjoy the ride,
Greg
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Joined: May 2005
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Thanks Greg
Yes when it was at 110 C it was running in my garage (with ventilation), however when I drive it normally the temp will stay around 90 C is that normal? It just seems weird to see the temp gage up so near the red zone when ever it idles.
Is their any diagnoseive steps I do to see if the radiator / water pump is cycling coolant?
Yes when it was at 110 C it was running in my garage (with ventilation), however when I drive it normally the temp will stay around 90 C is that normal? It just seems weird to see the temp gage up so near the red zone when ever it idles.
Is their any diagnoseive steps I do to see if the radiator / water pump is cycling coolant?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
The coolant temp sensor triggers the main fan clutch at 100C. The electric fans engage at 110C. If you go into the red your engine will most likely be toast. Yes these are designed to go up to about 120C but that is not good. The Aux fans engage when the AC is on max or the engine temp goes to 110C. The clutch as I said is at 100C. Your electric fans should have engaged when you hit 110 so it sounds like your temp sensor is either toast or unplugged!
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
84 190E
accept in his case, the 2.6 has a viscous type fan
since your car does cool down the water pump is still working
you could have damaged the viscous fan (designed to be on at start up or lower rpms), does it free wheel when the engine is off?
since your car does cool down the water pump is still working
you could have damaged the viscous fan (designed to be on at start up or lower rpms), does it free wheel when the engine is off?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1
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From: El Dorado Hills, CA
1992 190E
Greg210 or anyone else,
What is the normal temperature reading during freeway drive and idle?
I have a 1993 190E and it runs in the low 80c during freeway and idle it goes up to 100c.
Appreciate anyones knowledge.
Respectfully,
David <(((><
What is the normal temperature reading during freeway drive and idle?
I have a 1993 190E and it runs in the low 80c during freeway and idle it goes up to 100c.
Appreciate anyones knowledge.
Respectfully,
David <(((><
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
85-105 is the normal operating range for 190E's no matter what engine. 100 is perfectly fine in traffic.
