Huge problem (engine heating)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Texas
1997 E420
Huge problem (engine heating)
Hi, I really hope you guys tell me what you think is wrong.
I brought my car to a mechanic because the engine was overheating (1997 e420). The cooling fans were not working in front of the radiator and the radiator fan clutch (behind the radiator) was bad. The serpentine belt was changed and the Idle pulley as well. Coolant was flushed and new one was added. It cost me $1150 to get all that fixed and now all the fans work very well.
Then i walked out of the shop, did a little driving around (its hot and i hit some heavy traffic, but nothing unusual) and i noticed my engine temperature needle going up, and up, and up, it was pretty much at 120°C and near the red when i finally got home and turned it off.
It seems to overheat EVEN MORE than before!!!!!
I am going back there tomorrow morning but I would like your opinions first
I brought my car to a mechanic because the engine was overheating (1997 e420). The cooling fans were not working in front of the radiator and the radiator fan clutch (behind the radiator) was bad. The serpentine belt was changed and the Idle pulley as well. Coolant was flushed and new one was added. It cost me $1150 to get all that fixed and now all the fans work very well.
Then i walked out of the shop, did a little driving around (its hot and i hit some heavy traffic, but nothing unusual) and i noticed my engine temperature needle going up, and up, and up, it was pretty much at 120°C and near the red when i finally got home and turned it off.
It seems to overheat EVEN MORE than before!!!!!
I am going back there tomorrow morning but I would like your opinions first
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
You obviously spent a lot of money for a botched job. I don't know what went wrong exactly but as you stated (in so many words) it's that shop's responsibility to make things right. Once you resolve your issue I'd find another place to take your car. It soesn't sound like they know what they are doing with an MB. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Texas
1997 E420
I wouldn't say it was a botched job, the fans were really bad and the other radiator clutch too, I looked at those things, I'm just puzzled. Maybe its the thermostat.... no idea
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Might not be botched but
you sure got ripped off. $1150 for fans?That's nearly 20% of a 420's worth.
If the fans are working did they replace the tstat or even check if it was stuck closed?
Did they check for combustion gas in the coolant to rule out a blown head gasket?
Someone needs to do more diagnostics before you really damage the engine and bid company with the car.
If the fans are working did they replace the tstat or even check if it was stuck closed?
Did they check for combustion gas in the coolant to rule out a blown head gasket?
Someone needs to do more diagnostics before you really damage the engine and bid company with the car.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Texas
1997 E420
Thermostat was replaced today, they checked to make sure the water pump was working and that the coolant was flowing, it works. Still overheating though, they will investigate about the head gasket tomorrow....
Damn! If thats the problem, how much should this cost me?
Damn! If thats the problem, how much should this cost me?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,820
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
If it is going to cost you much more then it will be worth it to just get rid of the car at this rate. Best of luck. Hope they fix it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Texas
1997 E420
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Südflorida
'99 E430, '05 ML500, '15 GLK350
Some other things just to exclude: no air left in the system preventing flow, radiator itself is not clogged on the outside from bugs etc., radiator cap is good.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 807
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From: CA BayArea
1997 C36AMG
this sounds like a problem i had with my C36AMG, i went to mercedes i bought a new coolant sensor and a thermostat, tested the new thermostat and put it in, also flushed my radiator and put fresh mb coolant, i temp now sets almost evenly half way on the temp gauge which is right above 80C i doubt it's the gasket, but be sure that your using good oil and your block is clean...gunk build up may be a cause...maybe even a clogged radiator
i doubt it's the gasket, but be sure that your using good oil and your block is clean...gunk build up may be a cause...maybe even a clogged radiator
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
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From: Texas
1997 E420
Ok folks,
I finally got my car back, thanks for all the advices, those guys checked almost everything, radiator, water pump, fans again and again...There was air in the system, finally I got my car back, after they disconnected and reconnected the wires for the fans, and so far so good, the engine temperature stays reasonable. but I'm keeping my eye on it!
Wow I missed that car SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssssssssssssssssssssooooooooooooo oooooooo much!
I finally got my car back, thanks for all the advices, those guys checked almost everything, radiator, water pump, fans again and again...There was air in the system, finally I got my car back, after they disconnected and reconnected the wires for the fans, and so far so good, the engine temperature stays reasonable. but I'm keeping my eye on it!
Wow I missed that car SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssssssssssssssssssssooooooooooooo oooooooo much!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 327
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Replace the thermostat. Takes 5 minutes and your hands won't get too dirty 
. 150K miles is enough to wear out a thermostat. I think you'll find this was the real problem. My e320 popped it's thermostat at 60K miles.... I bet yours has never been replaced....
. 150K miles is enough to wear out a thermostat. I think you'll find this was the real problem. My e320 popped it's thermostat at 60K miles.... I bet yours has never been replaced....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Texas
1997 E420
YEAH, I'm so glad I didn't have to sell the car. when you start to think that everything is wrong you start to panic and start to think about selling the car. but now the car seems fixed, and I am just so grateful this car is running so ****ing good!
