What's Your Cold-weather Operating Temp?

[jpmaynard]

Im thinking that my thermostat must be stuck open because when its below 30 degrees, it seems that i can never get up to 80. Being a redneck at heart and more importantly, not having a garage, i've decided to do like the truckers do and block off the majority of the radiator with cardboard instead of messing with it. i've been experimenting with how much to block off, but today I blocked off the whole damn thing except for the oil cooler portion and a very small amount that i couldnt get to, and it STILL hardly gets up to 80 driving on the highway at 75. and once i start slowing down, the temp drops to 70-60. the high today was 18 but WTF?

this is a 240D. whats everybody else running at?

[michakaveli]

Mine too takes a long time. I thought it might be the thermostat so I replaced it this summer. Acts exactly the same. ARGGGhhhhhhhh

[BrierS]

My '87 300TD with the 603 is running slightly lower than summer temps. Just below to just over 80 degrees. I have new MB fluid, thermostat and no trapped air. I know I am not concerned over the slight difference . . .

[pawoSD]

Mine runs with the needle pointing straight across (about 83-85C) it does this at all speeds, in any temp (be it 5 degrees or 90 degrees) from time to time it will move "a teeny bit" up an and down from that spot, but usually its right in that zone......our 83 barely goes over 80, ever, no matter what it is outside, and it takes a lot longer to warm to that point that my 82 does.....now only if I could get my monovalve working a bit better I'd prefer more heat inside.....

[MB-Owner-in-ind]

The engine should run up to operating temp (~80c or 180F) in any weather after a small warmup period. The only way it wouldn't is if the thermostat is stuck open.

[jpmaynard]

thanks, thats about what i thought. guess i'll borrow my father's garage when im home for xmas

im still pretty amazed that the thing will run cool with then entire radiator blocked with cardboard though.....