|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Changing coolant & thermostat 98 E300
I've concluded my thermostat is stuck open, which could be contributing to my EGR problem in a round-about way. I've leared that if the engine does not warm up fast enough, it will throw off the computer and send an EGR code thinking the system isn't working properly (damn new diesel engine electronics!).
My car constantly runs at 70-75c on the display which I feel is too cold. Every other diesel I've had runs at 80-85c. The thermostat job looks simple, just like on a 603 engine it is right by the turbo and easy to access. Now the problem is my car is full of the GREEN STUFF. After reading some posts here I see there is a drain on the radiator and a drain on the passenger rear of the block. Then I plan on running a garden hose through the thermostat opening and radiator and overflow to get the rest of the green stuff out before I put the proper MB coolant in so I don't have any problems. Any thoughts or suggestions before I proceed? Thanks. Oh, and how much does the system hold? Should I get one or two gallons of MB stuff to make 2 or 4 gallons? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
cost of MB antifreeze
Sorry for not directly answering your question. I just have a couple of comments. I replaced my thermostat recently and refilled the system with the MB antifreeze. I bought 2 gallons of the stuff from the local dealer a couple of weeks ago. It was $25/gal. Unbelievable. At that price the MB antifreeze had better be a LOT better than the standard green stuff I drained out.
FWIW, the inside of my cooling system looked very clean. The previous owner of my car was definitely not a stickler on a lot of maintenance issues. So, I bet my car ran the cheap green antifreeze most of its 20 years. Apparently to little ill effect. Many on this forum have strong opinions on the issue, though. At $50/change I won't be buying it again. Since I had some on hand already, I ran some citric acid flush through mine before refilling it. I won't do that again anytime soon. The FSM specifies at least 3 flushes with clean water afterward with several minutes of run time in between draining. With the need to cool the engine before removing the plug in the block, the water flush took most of a morning to finish. Your owners manual should list the capacity of the cooling system. Thermostat replacement is covered in great detail in many posts in the archives. A quick search will tell all.
__________________
1985 300SD, 203,000 miles, dark blue Lil Sarah says: "Poor old Grandma Blue Car...She's sad." |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Zerex G-05 Approved by Daimler-Chrysler Worldwide.
It's been available for at least a year. No reason to buy MB Coolant, but prior to this I bought MB Coolant at local dealer, and it wasn't anything like $25.00/ Gallon. Steve '92 300E Sportline 219K '93 300E Sportline 254K |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
turbudiesel - your procedure sounds fine, although you might want to run some flush through there if the inside of the system is nasty. The capacity is in the owner's manual, but I don't have it with me. Drove the 300D to work today.
__________________
Rick Miley 2014 Tesla Model S 2018 Tesla Model 3 2017 Nissan LEAF Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro Chain Elongation References |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
I helped my friend do his last year, off the top of my head I think it took a bit over a gallon. Maybe 5 quarts +/-?
Yep it sounds like your thermostat is bad, his warms up pretty fast even on very cold days. Much faster then my SDL does.
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
It does take a LONG time to warm up though. Usually about 15-20 minutes of driving in cold (below 20 degrees F or so) weather. I have heard though that this is normal because the cooling system on these cars directs coolant to the heater core, the fuel heater and the windshield washer heater all before the thermostat would even open. I imagine the fuel heater sucks a lot of heat out too because it is constantly circulating fuel from the tank. It would seem that with all of those heat sinks the radiator would barely get warm in a cold climate Also, I buy the MB coolant online for about $17 a gallon with free shipping...the list on it from the dealer is only $19 so you got hosed.
__________________
Marty D. 2013 C300 4Matic 1984 BMW 733i 2013 Lincoln MKz |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
I drove it today for about 150 miles.. on the interstate the car runs at 70-75c.. if I let it idle for a while it will get to 80-82c. I've never had this much of a temp. flucuation in any other diesel i've owned. Mine does take a bit of time to warm up.
So far I have a few people telling me that my temp readings are normal, and a few telling me my car is running to cold (like I think it is). |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
I have an 87 300d. My thermostat must be stuck open also. I'm having a devil of a time getting a wrench on the bolts to the thermostat housing. Any suggestions??
__________________
www.jerseyplanning.com 1987 300TD 440K - My car 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 107K - Tim's car 2000 - CLK320 100K - Deb's car 1994 C230 150K - Josh's Car |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I really think it is a matter of the cooling systems on these cars being so burdened with heating things other than the radiator that makes them behave this way. That and the aluminum heads which just don't hold heat the same way the old steel ones would makes them more likely to fluctuate. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems that your car and mine react very similarly...either we both have the same problem or ours are both "normal" which is my thought. I'd like to hear from other '98 and '99 owners in colder climates for their experiences with warmup times and operating temperatures though. I was also considering changing the thermostat and when I researched it online the parts place said that I had to replace the thermostat housing too because the original T-stat for the '98 and '99 had been redesigned and the new ones will not fit the old housings...does anyone know about this??
__________________
Marty D. 2013 C300 4Matic 1984 BMW 733i 2013 Lincoln MKz Last edited by nhdoc; 03-24-2005 at 07:37 PM. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I replaced the thermostat just now and as I suspected it was partially defective. The car runs at a steady 80-82c just like I thought it should. Anyone with a lower reading, I think you have a defective thermostat. Easy job!
I left the green coolant in, I asked how much a gallon was at the dealer.. $20!! Over doubled the price when I last bought it.. the parts guy said a chemical that is used to make it is in short supply.. sounds like BS to me. |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Anyone ever add the RedLine water wetter?
Would that help at all or would adding it just be for giggles?
__________________
#dieselFLEET --------------- '97 E300 '99 E300 |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Were you able to buy just the thermostat or was there an issue with the housing too? I am wondering why the parts list says the new thermostats won't fit the old housings...did you buy the T-Stat at the dealer?
__________________
Marty D. 2013 C300 4Matic 1984 BMW 733i 2013 Lincoln MKz |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
I just bought the thermostat from the dealer.. direct replacement. No issues.
|
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I suspect mine may be a little "lazy" and doesn't close completely. It never runs hot but does take a long time to warm up, though the heat does come up pretty quickly while it is warming up. Did you just open the housing and let whatever came out spill or did you drain the system first? Is there a gasket or is it just a seal ring around the T-stat?
__________________
Marty D. 2013 C300 4Matic 1984 BMW 733i 2013 Lincoln MKz |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Yes, that was I suspect with mine too.. a little "lazy". I got it for $25+tax.. one of those items that makes sense to buy at the dealer.
I drained the radiator and coolant tank VIA the valve on the driver side of the radiator under the car.. I got about 3 gallons out. Took off a heater hose that is right beside the thermostat housing for easier access to the bottom bolt of the t-stat housing, then took off the two bolts that hold the housing to the block. The new thermostat comes with a rubber gasket that fits around the thermostat.. a one-piece deal. Easy as pie. I filled it up as much as I could.. started it up and waited for the t-stat to open (which took a LONG time) and topped it off with another quart or two of water. |
Bookmarks |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
changing coolant | newkid | Tech Help | 10 | 07-07-2009 07:24 PM |
Coolant RED vs. GREEN | CJ | Tech Help | 79 | 05-23-2009 07:07 PM |
Another Thermostat Adventure | MT_Wessels | Diesel Discussion | 34 | 02-10-2005 09:23 PM |
Changing Coolant & Hoses - '98ML320 | fema | ML, GL, G-Wagen, R-Class, Unimog, Sprinter | 5 | 12-21-2004 04:33 AM |
Changing thermostat | mreid | Tech Help | 2 | 01-05-2000 01:48 PM |