Brian McL

This is my first winter with my 97 W210 and I can't seem to get the engine temp. up past 60 C. This of course makes the heater very slow to heat the car....I actually had to put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator (you know..like a MAC truck)...but that only increased the temp. a few degrees. Are there 2 different thermostats for this engine (M104). My last benz (94 E320 with M104) never had this problem. Temp got right upto 80, fast and stayed there, even with the same cold outside temps we have now.
One other thing....does the blower motor on the W210 heater have a delay function? This one starts up as soon as I turn the car on...blowing some pretty cold air...I have top turn it off till the engine gets some heat in it. Both my 300E and the E320 had a delay......the W210 must...but where is it?Thanks

Alfa Fan

I'm having the same problem. My 97 E320 was fine last winter and this year, it won't warm up past 60. Is it the thermostat? the anti-freeze?

What gives?

BenzVince

I have an answer to your problem since I had the exact same problem. It's simple, it's the thermostat that failed stucked open. So basically that your car is not heating up quickly since the thermostat only stays closed til the coolant circulating in the engine block reach to operating temp then the thermostat opens to let cooler coolant in the block, and the hot coolant out into the radiator and then close the thermostat. Only imagine that if your thermostat failed stucked closed, your car would overheat. I did the task myself, it is very simple if you're handy. I got the thermostat and gasket at Napa online cost me $21 bucks. It made a big difference when I warmed up my car with a new thermostat. Let me know if you need a write up how to do it yourself.

raymond g-

Concur with BV. Aside from the cool heat, your mileage may also suffer if the engine is running at less than optimum temperature. This is one of the least expensive items and which plays such an important part to the operation of your car....it would be good to get this replaced as soon as you can. Can be a very straight forward 1 hr chore, though I've not done it on a Benz yet.

Green E-300 DT

No more lack of hot water for your heater now, huh?

As often as the problem comes up and is posted here, it would seem to be a common problem.

I was wondering how far you travel now before your temperature is up to normal?
Putting it another way, how long after you first start it when it is cold as in
overnight does it take for the gauge to be in the normal running position?

It is my understanding that modern thermostats are designed to fail only in the open position.
It has been many many years since I've heard of anyone loosing an engine
because of a thermostat becoming stuck in the closed position.

With my diesel, it takes about three miles, or close to ten minutes around town for it to
reach the middle mark which reads 80 degree "C" or only 176 degrees "F."
Of course, it being a diesel, it is slightly more efficent and possibly may
take a little longer to reach full operating temperature for that reason?

Brian McL

...yeah, I thought it must be the thermostat....now, any idea why the fan doesn't give me a warm up delay when the system is cold? Shirley it isn't suppose to come ON immediately....is it?

Green E-300 DT

My fans come on immediately regardless of whether there is hot water to be circulated or not.

In fact, I use my fans all the time to circulate fresh air and if it is colder outside,
the temperature settings bring on warm air. It's automatic isn't it?

Isn't that the way that they're supposed to function?

Brian McL

No...they are suppose to stay OFF till the temp. comes up....at least they use to. I have discovered that the early W210 did not have this feature UNLESS you only had defrost selected...haven't checked that yet. I don't know how cold it is where you are but it is -30C here.

Brian McL

...it was the thermostat. Temp. comes right up just like it should. Also, the fan, I discovered to my dismay, does come on as soon as the engine starts.....regardless of engine temp. Just another luxury feature discontinued in the W210. ................I'm trying.......I'm REALLLLY trying to like this car....but it's hard. Not alot to like....oh yeah....it looks nice!
But I did buy a great MB leather car coat at the dealer to-day when I was getting the thermostat.....40% OFF.....what a deal. The MB logo is very tastefully done....almost invisible.
I declined the FREE hat!