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  #1  
Old 11-22-2008, 12:38 AM
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Location: Greensboro, NC
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Undercooled 240D

Now that it's getting down to freezing, my 240D is running cold: at 55 mph, the temperature gauge hovers around the second mark, the one between 100 and 175 (137.5 deg. F., I'm guessing?). I can't figure out what's going on.

Some info: Warm-up time seems no longer than last year's winter weather warm-ups. The thermostat is closed at start-up (no coolant through top radiator hose); come the second mark on the temperature gauge, the thermostat has opened somewhat (pressure inside top radiator hose). The temperature increases to around 175 deg. F. when I get up to 80 and drops to the second mark when I get back down to 55. The temperature appears to increase slightly during idle at stoplights. All through the summer, the temperature generally read just below 175 deg. F. Last winter, the engine would regularly run just below 175 deg. F., regardless of speed. I replaced the temperature sender last summer.

Any ideas as to what I'm looking at would be appreciated.

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'The Mistress of the Sea' : 2001 Giant Boulder, 10.30k
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  #2  
Old 11-22-2008, 12:59 AM
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There is but one component that can make the engine run cold - the thermostat. You need a new one. Jim
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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)
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  #3  
Old 11-22-2008, 01:02 AM
bgkast's Avatar
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The thermostat is dead and stuck open.
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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
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  #4  
Old 11-22-2008, 07:35 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
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x3
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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #5  
Old 11-22-2008, 09:04 AM
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Thermostat x4. Also you mean "overcooled", not undercooled. Undercooled=overheating
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  #6  
Old 11-22-2008, 02:34 PM
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Location: Greensboro, NC
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Thanks all. Apologies for the incorrect term.
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  #7  
Old 11-22-2008, 09:10 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Camden, Maine
Posts: 14
Ok, I'll commiserate with you. I have an '81 240d that I bought last year that ran cold. I replaced the thermostat, and it reached 80C, then shortly started running cold again. I replaced the thermostat again, thinking it might have been defective, but that didn't fix it. So either I have happened onto a rash of bum thermostats (one OEM, one AutoZone), or something else is going on. How often do sending units go bad? Can they lose their calibration and just read low?
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  #8  
Old 11-22-2008, 10:00 PM
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Location: Woolwich, Maine
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Actually the thermostat on a W123 Diesel, and most MBs I am aware of, is a mixing valve that operates on the thermal energy of he water coming out of the engine water jacket. It controls the flow of water to the radiator, or the water shorting that circuit and going to the pump, and then it controls the water going into the pump suction from the radiator to prevent a cold slug of water suddenly being pumped into an at temperature or above cylinder head. Because of the complexity the thermostats tend to be a bit more difficult to produce in factories striving to make a thousand for under a dollar. So we get bad ones, quite often. Most of the bad ones run too hot, but they are all bad when they regulate the temperature high or low. Jim
__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)
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  #9  
Old 11-23-2008, 04:07 AM
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Posts: 4,642
Jim, is it also possible that if put in backwards the pressure behind the t-stat from the block could force it open. Whereas, if installed properly, the coils /spring has to work against that pressure to open.

Make sure the coils go towards the block.
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  #10  
Old 11-23-2008, 08:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jt20 View Post
Jim, is it also possible that if put in backwards the pressure behind the t-stat from the block could force it open.
The 616 thermostat is an extremely poor candidate for "reverse" installation.
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  #11  
Old 11-23-2008, 09:41 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,903
Quote:
Originally Posted by tangofox007 View Post
The 616 thermostat is an extremely poor candidate for "reverse" installation.
I'm not sure why you say this. I have managed to put one in backwards on either a 617 or 616, cannot remember which. It got hot that way and the cooling was totally screwed up.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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