First of all, I haven't had my MB long, and being that this is my first, the following questions might sounda little basic, but I need to get to the bottom of the problem I'm having.

It seems to me that the car doesn't heat up inside very fast, even when it's not that cold outside. I've read my owner's manual and I kinda understand how the controls work. But since day one that I've had the car, I've been running a piece of cardboard in front of about 1/2 the radiator to help it. It seems to not get that hot on the gauge. So here are my questions:

1.) How high is the normal operating temp supposed to be? And where does the danger zone begin? (Normally is runs at 40-60. It got up to just over 80 once after running down the highway at 75+mph for about 30 miles, but it cooled right back down)

2.) Could the fact that I don't have an A/C condenser in front of the radiator be making the radiator "too efficent"? (I had another car that I had to run a hotter thermostat in because of that problem)

But then I got to wondering if I even have a thermostat. So while I'm tinkering around the car tomorrow I might just have to go get a gasket and see.

Anyway, I wanted to ask the general consensus here what they think and have experienced with this. Thanks in advance for your help.

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1981 MB 240D - 280K miles (My Iraqi LAPC )



My stable also includes:
2003 Honda Odyssey - Wife's van
1976 IH Scout 2 - SUV recovery vehicle
1967 Dodge W200 - The big block hauler (440/4sp.)
1966 Dodge D100 - The Redneck Racecar (440/727)
1925 Dodge Roadster - My electric car canidate

True health starts here

Get a new 80ºC thermostat, also. You'll be set.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

The MB thermostat is a bit different than what most folks are used to.....it is some sort of rubber compound, and the thermostat is inserted into it.....so if you have no thermostat......it may be a real pain to just replace the gasket!!! I think it would be a good idea to get a new thermostat and gasket.....

also of note....I purchased a thermostat from my MB dealership and it came packaged with the gasket included.....I don't know how Phil and the other parts houses sell this item....

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

Same thing on my 1980 240D....Took forever to warm up....Good thing is the Thermos are a breeze to change.....Mine was stuck wide open...Got the new German thermo and rubber holder with the bypass hole Shorebilly mentioned .....quicker warmups and downright toasty inside....not that we need toasty down here in Mississippi very often....Also bead blasted the thermo holder and painted it a nice industrial grey to neat up the engine compartment decor.....all fine now....

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1978 Yellow 300D (The Mustard Toad)
1980 Blue 240D (The Iron Toad)
1989 Grey Mitsu.4WD Mighty Max Pickup (Needs a Diesel transplant bad)

(Open the pod bay doors HAL)