With all due respect....

1) Why the condescending comments...I mean "really". Please give a direct answer why they seem to be required!

2) Why does MB and many other mfgs offer a 80*C & an 85*C thermostat versions for the 603 if it aint gonna mean a hill of beans in the end? Furthermore "Tropical Cooling" systems for arid climate markets with 70*C & 75* thermostats. And ya we understand optimum combustion, smog control, fuel economy etc. Please explain!

P.S. I think it would be safe to say we'd all love a brand spanking new factory motor and cooling system if dropped in our lap at no charge.

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1986 300SDL 440,xxx

1) How so? The lower temperature 'stat buys time. That's all it can do. The cooling system has a fixed capability of dumping BTU's. That capability goes up with engine temperature and, the higher engine temperatures make the driver uncomfortable.

I stand by my earlier comments regarding the inability to find a single member who overheated an OM603 with a functioning water pump.


2) They offer the lower temperature 'stat to buy time. Typically, the driver is not going to be climbing a hill for 30 minutes or more. Therefore, if the engine starts at a lower temperature, there is more time available before the engine reaches 110°C., the point at which the driver should be slowing the vehicle and/or dumping the air conditioning.

Hey guys thanks for the replies. You've helped me understand that what works in one part of the country & in different seasons may not work so well in other geographic climates.

For example here in Southern California I never really have to take the below freezing (or colder) type precautions others have while operating in the north and north east.

Similarly out in the summer Desert South West where afternoon temperatures soar into the stratosphere, night temps never drop below 100*F, < ½ hour hills turn into very, very long grades, dash exterior temps gauges read 125+ at asphalt intersection lights, and travel runs at 75mph+for hours on end, a different set of rules apply.

I’m going to take a couple of extra steps to keep things cooler. To avoid critical review I think I’ll call them “soft mods” where in combination should help. For example window tinting should minimize full blast A/C demand by keeping the interior parts cooler. Some very smart folks in AZ will tell‘ya “it helps the A/C”. Another soft mod used to help the A/C is to hard wire the electric cooling fan “on” just because it works and a fair trade off if ya got to buy a new fan now and again. Mine has been hard wired for ages. Additionally, going with a radiator dedicated to the motor and move the trans cooling job over to its own cooler (like some other MB's); put the MB tropical climate thermostat in for the season, and maybe go with a fan other than the stock metal 9 blade...who knows maybe remove the high milage badges to reduce drag...kidding.

Thanks again...rob

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1986 300SDL 440,xxx

Hey it may not help cool your engine, but they definitely help make the car cool.

Do keep this thread updated if you do install an external trans cooler, I'm sure everyone would love to see the pics and results.