W210 Heat Issue??
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 717
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
W210 Heat Issue??
Does anyone know what the normal operating temperture is for the engine when you look at the heat gauge on the left side of the dashboard? I recently
had a 'coolant level' warning come up on the dash,and obtained some 50/50
Prestone and it seemed to have solved the problem. However,warnings like that,I must admit,had me a little paranoid when I see 90 degrees on the gauge. Now I know an engine is going to generate heat,but am I worrying too much? Thanks to all who reply
had a 'coolant level' warning come up on the dash,and obtained some 50/50
Prestone and it seemed to have solved the problem. However,warnings like that,I must admit,had me a little paranoid when I see 90 degrees on the gauge. Now I know an engine is going to generate heat,but am I worrying too much? Thanks to all who reply
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
I may have a problem as I am now seeing my gauge go to 120c repeatedly over the last few days,and early this morning, I'm seeing steam coming from
the area where I put in the antifreeze ,and the 'Coolant Level' message on the dashboard. This is ,of course ,a leak somewhere,so my question is this, did anyone here have a similar situation,and what might have been a possible remedy:change of hose,replacement of the antifreeze reservoir,or what I fear the most,replacement of the radiator. Thanks again to all who reply....
the area where I put in the antifreeze ,and the 'Coolant Level' message on the dashboard. This is ,of course ,a leak somewhere,so my question is this, did anyone here have a similar situation,and what might have been a possible remedy:change of hose,replacement of the antifreeze reservoir,or what I fear the most,replacement of the radiator. Thanks again to all who reply....
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'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
If the steam is coming form the reservoir area and there's no obvious leak, I suggest replacing the cap as a first step. If the cap no longer holds pressure, the coolant boils and escapes through the cap, eventually causing the car to overheat.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
The normal operating temperature of the car when we got our 2002 E320 when it was new was around 90 degrees, even in hot weather, it would stay just slightly over 80 degrees. After the dealer replaced the coolant, the temperature fluctuated a bit more.
Now, after the dealer has replaced the coolant, the car's temperature seems to go as high as almost 99 when the car is sitting in a lot of traffic. I've expressed this to my service manager and even asked for a coolant flush and replacement, but he says this is fine and normal and told me to keep my money and not to worry.
Naturally, since 100 degrees is the boiling temperature of water and it's coming close to that, I'm still slightly worried about me burning off all the water in the radiator. So, whenever i'm sitting in traffic and I notice the temperature is rising considerably, I turn on the front window defogger (or is it defroster). This makes the coolant temperature go down considerably and fairly quickly. However, on a hot day, this means I am baking inside the car.
Now, after the dealer has replaced the coolant, the car's temperature seems to go as high as almost 99 when the car is sitting in a lot of traffic. I've expressed this to my service manager and even asked for a coolant flush and replacement, but he says this is fine and normal and told me to keep my money and not to worry.
Naturally, since 100 degrees is the boiling temperature of water and it's coming close to that, I'm still slightly worried about me burning off all the water in the radiator. So, whenever i'm sitting in traffic and I notice the temperature is rising considerably, I turn on the front window defogger (or is it defroster). This makes the coolant temperature go down considerably and fairly quickly. However, on a hot day, this means I am baking inside the car.
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
Yeah,Pat ,I guess it's a toss-up as to who's boiling ,you or the ride...
Lex,your observation is dead-on,I ordered a new cap ,and should be getting it
later today. But today,prior to driving to work,I put some 50/50 anti-freeze in ,closed my existing cap tightly,and the temperture never went above 90 degrees on a 20 minute highway jaunt. Go figure??? Thanks for all your replies!!
Lex,your observation is dead-on,I ordered a new cap ,and should be getting it
later today. But today,prior to driving to work,I put some 50/50 anti-freeze in ,closed my existing cap tightly,and the temperture never went above 90 degrees on a 20 minute highway jaunt. Go figure??? Thanks for all your replies!!
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95-99 degree is OK... My '96 E320 has been like that during summer for over three years. If your coolant is a mixture of 50/50 water/ethylene glycol, then its raises the boiling point of your coolant to about 107C when no pressure,,,, but under normal operating , your engine is about 14-15 psi, that means now the boiling of your coolant is about 107+25 or 132 C... so if your gauge is 95-99 C it's still way below the boiling point of your coolant... and that's the reason why your radiator cap is so important, if there is a leak, it will lower the internal pressurew and hence boiling of your coolant... This is all about science guys
Happy motoring
Happy motoring
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From: Portland, OR
2001 CLK320
The M-B alloy engines require a different pH level coolant compared to the standard green coolants that have been around a long time. The wrong coolant can cause corrosion or 'pitting' within the cooling passages inside the engine and cooling system.
Another tip is after refilling or topping off the system, the thing to do is set the temp control to the highest setting and drive until its completely warmed up (fan on low). Once you do that, the air is "burped" out of the cooling system.
It avoids having the gurgling noises that might result in the heater core.
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
So far I got the cap replacement,and I have to get a radiator flush to replace the Prestone with the Zerex G05 I got yesterday. Any idea of the price of the thermostat?? I'll go to my 'people' and see if it's available,.and if
I find it,i'll post the price
I find it,i'll post the price
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From: Canada
E350 4Matic 2011
I had the thermostat replaced a couple of years ago at the dealer. I think it was well under $100.
My temp guage is at 80 for most of the year. It goes up to 85 or so in the middle of summer.
My temp guage is at 80 for most of the year. It goes up to 85 or so in the middle of summer.
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From: Kansas City
97 E420 90 300E
My mechanic said it sucked to install though.
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
Thanks for all your replies to my dillemma,I really appreciate each and every one of them. Gettting back to said dillemma , I had the aforementioned flush done yesterday,and after replacing the anti-freeze,and running the AC/Fan,as suggested above,the temp gauge remained high,and my guy believes I may need a pump (Damn!!) Any agreements or disagreements with that diagnosis?? If I didn't love this bucket so much,it would be in the used car lot.......
Update:the thermostat and the water pump are a shade under $250,so that's not bad at all.
Update:the thermostat and the water pump are a shade under $250,so that's not bad at all.
Last edited by ruffrob; Sep 23, 2006 at 01:38 PM.
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Ruffrob : Something fishy about "thermostat + water pump = around $250 " ... It's almost impossible. I just replaced my water pump (priced $ 750 at dealer, part + installation, but I selected a local guy for $700, not because of the price, but this local shop is close to work and coolant, airconditioning are all they do, and they really know their stuffs and I have my other cars done by them.
The part for '96 E320 water pump is around $375 alone, and its location is a pain to get to, that's why the labor is high
The part for '96 E320 water pump is around $375 alone, and its location is a pain to get to, that's why the labor is high
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 717
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
CC,check here,www.thebenzbin.com,I''ve bought from them a number of times,and NEVER had a problem. Not everything about our cars has to be a bank breaker....
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 717
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
Thanks for the overview,CC. The problem has been solved by the dealership,it was a faulty thermostat,along with a worn belt on the fan behind the grill. Parts and labor total:$305 tax included.
