1. I changed a thermostat because no matter how I drive, the temp stays at 80, or slightly higer than 80. I thought the thermostat was stuck open so I changed it today.
I test drove the car, and the temp is the same. 80 or slightly higher than 80. Is this normal? I am new to MB so I am not so sure, but most of cars' temp needle stays at the middle of temp gauge.
I wonder mine is ok.

2. How the RPM needle goes up on e320?
I have never driven mine hard since I bought it(2 weeks ago) due to it was in very poor condition. I am in the process of fixing my baby.
Today, I tried to drive it hard, depressed the gas pedal hard, but the RPM needle seemed very slow.
This is my first automatic and heavy sedan car, so I really have no idea whether it's normal or not. I know it's hard to tell for you guys too. If anybody had a video that I can see...please post here.
Spark plugs and wires are new.
I serached on youtube to see how RPM goes up, I couldn't really find e320, but I found a few 300e and 300ce and their RPM seems go up pretty fast.

3. When my car is idling, the engine is shaking. I'ts not really bad, but I can feel little bit of vibration when I am sitting inside of the car.
Sometimes I can feel it more, sometimes I feel less. Time for engine mounts?
The belt is new, tensioning shock absorber is new, upper guide pulley is new.

4. When my car is idling in my garage, the exhaust smell is really strong. I can't stay near the exhaust more than 5min because my throat is getting hurt.
I don't think this is normal. What makes the exhaust smell that strong? I did smog test 5 days ago, and it passed. After staying near the exhasut 1min, my whole cloth smells like it. It never goes away unless I wash them. The smell is that much strong. I have owned a few cars, but I have never experienced this kind of smell. It smells very spicy too.
I have to change O2 sensor due to cel. Can bad o2 sensor cause the strong smell?
Any adivce on this?

Thank you.

 

Sounds like your mixture is way out of whack and you are running very rich.

Your lack of power is probably all connected. Probe the O2 sensor plug in the passenger footwell (should be the same on the E320 right?) and see what the O2 sensor is reading. It will scale from 0-.9v 0 being very lean, .9v being very rich. If it does not oscillate quickly, its probably time for a replacement.

 

Thank you for the reply.
I got CEL code2, which is bad O2 sensor. I will change it tomorrow and see whether it gets better. If the new o2 sensor doesn't fix my problem, what can it be?
Wiring harness? TB actuator?

 

Well if you have a CEL, fix that before anything else....The system is telling you something is wrong....
Don't throw around ideas until you have got the CEL cleared up and you are getting no more error codes.

 

Ok, Questions #2 and 4 is related so I will see tomorrow after the new o2 sensor.
How about the shaky engine and engine temp issue?

Thank you.

 

Shaky engine could be related to the O2 sensor. It could just be a small idle misfire due to the overly rich mixture...

Engine temp issue....Sounds normal. You probably have the 78F thermostat so it should sit around there. There are a couple different temperature models. Does it go any higher with A/C on idling?

How did you pass the smog with the CEL on? Got a friend?

 

Oh, I passed the emission side, but failed the smog due to no check engine light bulb. A PO took out the bulb and sold the car to me lol.
I installed the bulb, check light was on, pulled the code and I got bad O2 sensor.
I thought it's kind of weird that my car passed the test with the bad O2 sensor....I mean not only the sensor, it smells really strong.....weird.....

Ok, I'm glad that the temp issue is normal. I turned on AC but the temp was the same. I guess I have to drive it more after I change the O2 sensor. I only have driven my car about 10miles max since I purchase it.

 

Check for vacuum leaks. Get carb leaner and spray all around the engine even on the injectors. if the idle speeds up or wants to die you got a leak. Take off your fuel flap and check the rubber underneath it mine was cracked. I used like 3 bottles looking for a leak and the leak was hidden. That might cause shaking and fuel smell. Your vacuum hose that goes to the cab (left side by fuses) un plug that and plug it up and see if its and idle change.

ALSO change your injectors you could be dripping at idle therefore cause rich idle. Your fixing car up nice do it right change the injectors bro!!! It makes a world of a difference on any high milage car.

What spark plugs are you using? Non resistor ones I hope.
When the wires get changed?

First check all vacuum get that outa the way first!!

 

#2 stand in front of car look at filter housing then look at firewall. behind the filter and firewall these a plastic looking screw that connects to your throttle and the cable goes to ur tranny tighten it. The tighter you go the later your tranny shifts mine shift about 3000 make all the difference in the world on power. Sound like its shifting 2 earily. I had the same problem. Now if Im not careful my car will smoke the tires around a corner!!

 

Thank you so much for the replies.
What is the fuel flap?
I just checked vacuum hoses, but just visually. Is it easy to change injectors?
Can I just spray carb cleaner while idling???
The spark plugs are the recommended copper non resistor one. Both plugs and wires were changed 2 weeks ago. Not the ignition coils though.

For the tranny cable. Do you have a picture of it? How do you know whther I am adjusting the cable correctly? Do you tighten it and drive it, and do this over to get the right shifting?

Thank you for all the advice!!!!!

 

I will take pics for you

 

Ok, I changed the O2 sensor, took my car to a smog station, and passed with flying color. I can finally register it under my name.
Now, I don't know maybe it's just in my head, but the new O2 sensor seems make the exhaust smell better. It's not great, but I think it's much better than before.
I still want to do the tranny cable adjustment so I am waiting for epowers777

Only one problem left. Mysterious coolant problem.
I fill the coolant level to the max, drive the car for about 5~6min and the coolant level is almost at the bottom. If I drive it more, I get the low coolant warning.
I turn off the engine, and let it cool down for 10~20min and open the coolant cap, I hear this water flushing sound and the coolant comes back to the top level....what is wrong with it?????
I did the same thing in the morning, when the engine is completely cold, the same thing happened. No matter how much wate and coolant add, if I drove the car, it's almost bottomed out, but when I open the cap, it right backs up to the level.
A new coolant cap and thermostat....
I really need to fix this problem, then I think I fixed all the problems that my car has.
I hope this is not water pump issue...ogh...

 

Well is it leaking or getting burned? I hope the former!! Your spark plug color should be very obvious if you are losing THAT much in a trip and its seeping past the head gasket.

With the new O2 sensor, you will want to set the mixture correctly as the system is probably out of whack. Just make sure its at 50% and leave it alone from here on out.

 

So I have to check out the spak plugs..., thanks for the tip.
I don't know whther it's leaking or burned. Like I said, if I opend the cap, coolant right backs up....

Mixture means air/fuel mixture?
Where is the air/fuel mixture thing? I've heard of it, but I don't know where it is. Do you have any instruction how to mix it 50%?

Thank you.

 

Well run the engine at idle and see if it is leaking all over the ground. If there is nothing on the ground...I believe you unfortunately have a big head gasket leak.

Yours is not K-Jet, so somebody else will have to pipe in for that one.

 

No leak while engine is running......
I am tired of looking for the coolant problem. I am going to take my baby to a shop and let a specialist check it for me.
I hope it's just cracked expension tank or something. The coolant only disappears when car is in motion.
If it's blown HG....ouch......

 

At the very least check the spark plugs first before spending money...Look for a spark plug that shows heavy whitish to brown deposits.

 

I will check the spark plugs tomorrow.
I just went to check my car 2min ago, and I saw puddle of water under my car, right below where water pump is. I used a flash light but I couldn't really see whether it's from the water pump or not, then I touched the upper radiator hose, and I there was water.
I think I found my coolant leak here.
It didn't happen until I change the thermostat and radiator cap. I assume that new thermostat and the cap pressurelized the cooling system and the bad hoses have leakage? What do you guys think?
I touched the hose and it's expended, not soft. This is normal, correct?

The leaky coolant hose

 

Im such a dork Im sorry I didn't realize we had different engines da!! Just find your throttle body and follow ur cables if theres one that had a screw looking device on it going to your tranny adjust that. (hope you have one) What you think psycho you seen one of these at the junk yard? I would still change your injectors.

Your in California the seller MUST smog your car I just sold my 300e today get your receipts together and call dmv or a lawyer to get some money back. (ask them questions tell them about the light your fail is in the dmv computer to prove it)

As your coolent assuming you flushed your system fill up your tank idle your car till hot with the heater on blast mode!! run for few minutes make sure theres no bubbles in there (refil level if needed) then remove your bottom engine bay sheild and put some paper towels under your engine. (assuming everything dry ) and let sit over night look in the morning and view your paper towels dont move them!! look straight up to find your leaks . if there are non sorry buddy your head gasket smoked!!

Spark plug lin here!!

Next time I wont be so

 

Thanks epowers.

Actually, I have a leak. It's right below the water pump area. I can see water spot on the belt too. I am going to change 3 hoses today, and do what you suggested.
Just one more question.
In the cold morning, the coolant is pressurized, is this normal?

The seller is gone. No return phone calls, just disappeared.

 

OK.....hum....I just changed the hoses, and some coolant was drained.
I checked the drained coolant, and I could see slight oil there. Thin coat of oil, but it's barely noticiable.....head gasket time?
After I changed hoses, add some water, I opened and closed the radiator cap, started the engine, let it idle for 15~20sec and turned off the engine. I opened the cap again, it had slight pressure...does this mean HG problem?

I also noticed that my car has no heater. I tried to use heater full blow, only cold air was coming out....another problem......damn.....

I just warmed up the engine, and I put a paper board under the car to see wheter I still have the leak or not. While I am waiting for that, I am writing this.
Any advice?

 

Guys,
Yes my car has head gasket leaking. I checked all 6 spark plugs(2weeks old and fired less than 10 times) and all of them look normal except #1 and 6. Both of their head are shiny, looks brand new compare to others......
Yep, yep, during 2 weeks I have been hoping that it's not the gasket problem, and finally I found out that it is.
I haven't decided what to do, but I think I will sell her. Sad sad....

 

The car seems far too neglected to put head gasket money into...

I'd definitely call the DMV and chase this guy down. Of course he's not gonna answer his phone to you....

Yes to the leak after the new thermostat. I had the same thing happen to me. I was losing a little coolant, then suddenly after I replaced my thermostat I was losing a significant amount (had to top up every week as opposed to 3 months).

 

The questions is, how much can I sell this car? damn....I can repair the gasket since I got a tax return, but it still mighy have the wiring harness issue, TB actuator, and other stuff problem in the future.....I spent 2 weeks of my time to fix her up, my sweat and time....money is ok, I spent around $300~400 for parts, but a lot of time....

I called DMV, then the guy I talked told me that it's almost impossible to get my money back because I paid for it and the seller sold it as it is....

By the way, if it had bad wheel bearing, is it easy fix or $$$$ problem?

Thanks.

 

With its "real" mileage and other problems...its probably only worth $1500 or so...I'd expect spending that much money getting the headgasket done alone...

It's up to you, but my 2c is sell it and take it as a hard lesson learned on fully checking out a car + its history before purchase.