Overheating, hose failure in 1990 300TE
 

I was driving today and noticed the fan was staying on, which is unusual, temperature was a little high, usually halfway between 40 and 80, now creeping up to 80. I pulled over popped the hood and saw that coolant was boiling in the reservoir, but barely, it stopped as I noticed. I checked oil which was fine. I started to drive home watching the temperature and it kept creeping up til close to 80 and the boom, the lower hose from the water pump blew off the pump. I pulled over and got a tow.

What do you experts think happened? The temp gauge never showed close to red line.

Thank you in advance!

Driving with the temp gauge halfway between 40-80 indicates a partially broken thermostat. Operating temp is 87C. Thermostat finally broke closed and you overheated. NEVER run the engine below thermostat temps as the engine temp sensors will run the engine rich.

Stu

I replaced the thermostat and it seems to run great, temperature is exactly the same though, about 50.

What was the part number on the thermostat and it looks like you will have to verify your temperature gauge............

Stu

I'm not sure of the part number but it was rated 87 degrees.

If it was the correct thermostat then verify the temp gauge in the instrument cluster checking engine coolant temps. It would be strange to have the gauge that far off.

Stu