looking at 1991 350sd-- driving around town - temp reached hair over 100 C
ambient temp--94 F

My 300sd --80-82 C
My e320cdi-- 90 C

this 350sd-- seemed little high
Also- crude blow by test-- Not much smoke or Cap dance... BUT- lot's oil jumping out in couple seconds with cap off...

any thoughts-

thx

Probably needs a fan clutch if it's that hot in town. 603's in 126 chassis will stay dead-center of the gauge unless pulling up a long, steep hill (and they'll drop right back down afterwards).

Oil throwing out is from the camshaft. It's normal.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

So running at 100... wouldn't necessarily mean "rodbender"?

what are the "Tells" of Oil consumption/Rod bending? w/o benefits of Driving for several days?

Basically- too far away... so Owner shot few 10 second videos ...

I don't want to fly 1000 miles -- and be really disappointed...
Only records w/ Motor- from MB- was in 1997 car had some valve stems replaced

My 350 is 82 or so in all but hot temperature traffic with the ac blasting. It will creep up towards 100 then. But start moving and it’s solid at a bit above the 80 mark.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Yes it is normal with a completely stock cooling system in hot weather. There are way reduce this "normal" on the om603 with a smaller water pump pulley, colder Tstat, electric fans etc. Mine never exceeds 90c.

__________________
CENSORED due to not family friendly words

The 350SD/SDL already has all of the upgrades available from the factory (dual aux fans, small water pump pulley, HVAC controlled aux fan, etc). The W126 chassis has a large vertical flow radiator and doesn't suffer from the same cooling issues that the W124 does.

Living in a HOT climate and with plenty of hills around, that car should sit with the needle dead-center of the gauge (~85-90˚) at all times unless pulling up a very long, steep hill in hot weather.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

My guess, time for a radiator.

__________________
Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

Guess again. The thermal behavior of the 603's is very well documented. Elevated temperature when under heavy load in very hot weather is normal for them. Temp should drop immediately when the load is reduced. The thermostat design leaves a bit to be desired with response to large changes in load.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

No it doesn't.

__________________
CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Mine is a little below 100 but has moved to 100 after extended traffic jams.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Yes it does.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

After 11 posts it seems in order to suggest that the temperature rating of the installed thermostat be determined, and then that the actual opening of the thermostat be assured. In other words, remove, examine, and test.

Checking the fan clutch would be a good idea.