m a x i m u s

Hey guys. Some people on the forum have reported limp mode at 260f oil temp while others say 280f. Can anyone confirm the actual limp mode temp? I'm going to the track next month (finally) and want to monitor my oil temps and do a cool down lap before limp mode happens. I've also read that limp mode is most likely due to overheating the tranny versus the engine oil. Any thoughts on that one? Cheers.

BHimself

I can't 100% confirm, but I believe it's closer to 280F.
I've not searched the forum (gasp, ) but I've personally seen 264F and it's never triggered limp mode on my 2014 sedan.

Edit2: these 3 indicate near-as-makes-no-difference 280F.

I've also seen this:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...limp-mode.html
and this:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...-included.html
and this:

EDIT1: the vid description on youtube itself says 287F (in case you don't know how I can divine what it's saying)




Again, haven't scoured the forum for the thread, but living through it (circa 2012) & feeling smug about buying a 2011 first, from what I remember about "the limp mode scandal" when the FL's came out, originally it was around 260 and people were tripping that waaay too easily. So MB came out with a software update that effectively just raised the warning temp.

Like I said, I've seen 260+F when I've never tracked my car, and only done the spirited/aggressive rush hour stuff.

I firmly believe these higher temps problems are compounded by low gears/not-enough-airflow. BLKROKT has a thread about a year ago after installing a radiator blockoff plate, I think this was pretty darn helpful IIRC. Our cars do seem to suck in a bit of its own hot air when there's no fast moving air to get into the intakes first. Whether its tranny to blame for that fully or not, I'll leave for someone more knowledgeable than me to respond.

Happy hunting & take videos so we all can live vicariously through you without forcing even faster tire wear.

Cheers,

m a x i m u s

Thanks a lot for the response. I have a PFL, so maybe it is 260. I didn't realize there was a difference between PFL and FL. I'll see what happens, but I'm thinking it's 260 for mine.

chrisridebike8

I have a pre-FL and have seen 263 on the track with no limp mode. If you have the most up to date software, it should be 280ish. the pre-FL trans has less issue with overheating as well.

BLKROKT

The radiator blockoff plate is really only effective up to about 80deg ambient temps. Anything after that, and you're going to get limp mode unless you install the 44O kit which is the only permanent solution.

Power starts getting cut around 274, and then limp mode hits right after that. I've seen as high as 286. You don't want that.

m a x i m u s

Pretty sure I have the original software. I guess the only way to find out when my car will go limp is to track it. I'm going to keep an eye out for when it hits 260, then 270 and see. I'm assuming that 280 is the max for any software version.

m a x i m u s

@chris, are you back in socal? If so, you should come out to Auto Club Speedway, I signed up for Sunday June 11.

chrisridebike8

I am currently in Da Ocean. I will be back in socal soon (not soon enough), but in June I am booked for the whole month. We will be in Fallon, NV for workups that entire month. I am doing a track day July 8 at Buttonwillow though. SpeedSF is the one running it. It's on motorsportsreg if you want to sign up.

m a x i m u s

Cool. I'm gonna see how my old car fares at Auto Club and then see if I'll be doing more events. If everything shakes out, I'll try to make it to Buttonwillow as well. Stay safe.

BLKROKT

Jealous. Buttonwillow looks like fun. Fast with lots of runoff.

Here's MBW member freefall last year running a 1:50. Thought I'd give you fellas something to shoot for.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ap-battle.html



Have fun out there

Jasonoff

http://globaltimeattack.com/2016-gta...10-11-results/

Car #63 lol

Check out the 1&2 FWD guys. Will and James are locals.

zcct04

The magic number on the FLcars is 278F. This post is from a couple years ago, on FL car:

Got my blocking plate installed this week, just in time for an afternoon at the track today. The plate helped a lot, but it isn't enough for a Texas summer. Observations:
1. Air temp was a bit over a hundred and humidity was in the 50% range for a "feels like" of about 110F. That's a tough environment for trying to cool anything.
2. On the highway in open traffic at 70-80 mph, water stayed in the 197-199 range and oil was in the 218-225 range. That's pretty typical of the numbers from before the change.
3. On the track with the trans set in C, I ran pretty hard all afternoon. Oil temps were mostly in the mid-260's to low-270's and there was only one time when the oil temp get hot enough (278F) to cause the nanny to cut timing and pull power. I've never tried to run on a day this hot before but I do not believe I could have done this without the plate installed. From this perspective, the plate was a win.
4. In the middle of the last session, I tried unsuccessfully to run with the trans set to S. RPMs were allowed to run a little higher, shifting was much more aggressive and the car was more fun to drive. However, within less than a lap the oil hit 278 and I had to back off, reset the trans to C, and wait for the oil temp to drop.
Conclusion - looks like I need to invest in the cooling package or wait till fall to go back to the track.
Sigh . . .

Case1906

My "magic" number is 270 for my PFL, but believe it may be slightly different for different cars. I pay attention at 260. You can drive around it with some track experience. Suggestions: run a higher gear than you naturally would on straights; avoid heavy engine braking (even though it sounds good); and run in clean air-step out of line-don't draft and get air running through your coolers.

SaphGreyC63

I hit 264 last weekend and didnt go into limp mode but knew I was getting close so I backed off a bit on it.

Is anyone still making the radiator block off plates?

Clark Kent

Straight up 278 for me. Been there, done that.

zcct04

So - at least for Texans, exactly same number for FL and PFL cars!