C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Is my thermostat broken?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 6, 2013 | 11:51 PM
  #1  
funnyent's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
c230k
Is my thermostat broken?

Hey All - I have a CEL and after about 10 minutes of driving, the temp on the car is still below 80 degrees C.

You think this is the common thermostat failure? I haven't had a chance to get the code pulled yet, been busy with work. Just hoping it's something cheap


Thanks,
Tim
Attached Thumbnails Is my thermostat broken?-photo.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2013 | 01:34 AM
  #2  
Moviela's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Code P2181? Thermostat would be my first choice. Next would be the temp sensor.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2013 | 08:04 AM
  #3  
cvx's Avatar
cvx
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 139
Likes: 4
From: Finland, Europe
W203 C200CDI
The problem could be partially jammed thermostat. Usually the temp. wont be anywhere near +80c with a completely broken thermostat. You can get the OEM 92c thermostat for about $70 / 50eur even from the dealer.

I had similar issue before and it took me over 1h of driving to go above +80. I replaced the main thermostat and the little thermostat (CDI engine has 2). I did not have any warnings/error on my onboard computer though.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2013 | 08:27 AM
  #4  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
If you can't read Benz codes the thermostat code would be a P0128

Thermostat starts opening at 87 deg C & should be fully open at 90 deg C. If thermostat is not operating correctly the car will run colder than this.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2013 | 12:07 PM
  #5  
funnyent's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
c230k
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
If you can't read Benz codes the thermostat code would be a P0128

Thermostat starts opening at 87 deg C & should be fully open at 90 deg C. If thermostat is not operating correctly the car will run colder than this.
Just had the code read, and that's the one! I found a DIY on here and it looks easy to replace thankfully.

I'm a college student and will have to drive home Monday, which is about a 3 hour drive before I can fix this. Will that damage the car or is it ok as long as I don't rev it too much?

Thanks for your help,
Tim
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2013 | 04:15 PM
  #6  
funnyent's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
c230k
So I got my replacement part today, quick question:

How much antifreeze am I going to lose if I don't drain it before I replace the thermostat? I had the antifreeze replaced when I bought the car only 2 years ago and don't want to have to drain it all out.

Tim
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2013 | 05:12 PM
  #7  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Strage, my post disappeared that said you could drive the car. One or two litres should be OK for top up.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:03 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE