water temp sensitivity
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati, ohio
1997 c280 sport
water temp sensitivity
I am not sure if anyone has this issue, or if it even an issue at all, but I have a 1997 C280 that when it is idling at traffic lights or in lines, the water temp creeps up over 80, which is the normal temp it runs at. It creeps up to 85 or 90 if you set very long. Is this a problem, common issue, or a non-issue? I am new to the MB world, so I am just noticing these things. Thank you for your time and assistance with all of this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 3
From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
this is completely normal. When idling, there's no air getting sucked into the engine like when your driving to cool it down. When the temp reaches a certain point, the fans will kick in and force air into the engine to cool it.
Don't worry, when it's hot outside and it climbs to 90 - 100, it's nothing to worry about. It's when it keep climbing to 120 and it doesn't go back down is when worrying should kick in
Don't worry, when it's hot outside and it climbs to 90 - 100, it's nothing to worry about. It's when it keep climbing to 120 and it doesn't go back down is when worrying should kick in
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
If you're coming from Japanese cars, they have non-linear reading coolant temp gauges. That is why they don't have a set of values on the face. They don't want you to know that the coolant temp constantly goes up and down depending on conditions. It's seen as "imperfect."
MB is different. You can see what's happening. Sonce your car has a thermostat setting of about 87C, you won't see the coolant sitting much below that level in stop and go in warm weather. Everything is stepped (thermostat opening, fans running, etc..) to provide overheating protection, but allow the engine to run hot enough that the emissions controls are operating properly and it's getting the right temp for proper combustion.
Normal freeway or highway driving should see coolant temps of around 83C, which is at the 80 mark on the gauge. Then, idling in warm wether with the AC requirments higher, you'll often see temps at 95-97C. In 30-35C heat with the AC blasting, I see a "normal" temp on my C230 at 101-103C.
At 106C, the electric fan goes on high speed and the car works very hard to keep the temp in line.
(You can get prcise readings through the ACC panel)
MB is different. You can see what's happening. Sonce your car has a thermostat setting of about 87C, you won't see the coolant sitting much below that level in stop and go in warm weather. Everything is stepped (thermostat opening, fans running, etc..) to provide overheating protection, but allow the engine to run hot enough that the emissions controls are operating properly and it's getting the right temp for proper combustion.
Normal freeway or highway driving should see coolant temps of around 83C, which is at the 80 mark on the gauge. Then, idling in warm wether with the AC requirments higher, you'll often see temps at 95-97C. In 30-35C heat with the AC blasting, I see a "normal" temp on my C230 at 101-103C.
At 106C, the electric fan goes on high speed and the car works very hard to keep the temp in line.
(You can get prcise readings through the ACC panel)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 3
From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
as well as the fans on the w202 are VERY loud when they kick on...sounds like something is wrong with the car. I don't know about you guys, but when I'm idling at in a parking lot or something and the fans go on, people stare at the car like it's going to blow up or something :p
