High engine temps SOLVED! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rainmaker · #16 08-18-2002, 12:28 PM

Thanks, Jim. I searched the site but there seems to be only one clutch that is shared among the 400E/500E/E420/E500. I suspect that this may just be a replacement for the original.

Hopefully, an email to them would sort things out...

Thanks again...

JimF · #17 08-18-2002, 09:35 PM

at the replacement part? Did you take the old VFC? If so, can you take a picture of it and post it? It would help us alot.

If they are the same, size wise, then replacing the the higher temp bimet strip with the 'tropical' version in the MB OEM versions (all are high temp) will make that unit 'usable' for something other than holding the fan blades!

BongC36 · #18 08-19-2002, 06:28 AM

JimF: Here is a pic of the old fan clutch. I cannot take a pic of the tropical unit because it is installed in my car but I did check it (using a mirror and calipers) and it is dimensionally identical so probably the only change is in the bimetallic strip.

The dealer that I got it from thinks that there is a tropical unit for the 500E but is not sure. He will fire off a query to SACHS tonight.

Rainmaker: I sent you an e-mail, The dealer is DELODUR. Just came back from a 32 km drive up to Cubi hospital, temp <95C, no Aux fan engagement. :-)

Coool

jsmith · #19 08-19-2002, 06:43 AM

the sachs website shows two parts for the inline 6, the regular one and the "tropical version". for the v8 i saw only the regular one listed...

BongC36 · #20 08-19-2002, 07:06 AM

Sorry for the small pic size. How do I post larger pics without exceeding the 66k limit?

rainmaker · #21 08-19-2002, 08:55 AM

you have to first upload it to a website or a photo hosting service then link to it using the following syntax: "[ img ]www.image_location[ /img ]" without the quotes or spaces which I had to put in so you'll see it...

jsmith · #22 08-19-2002, 09:32 AM

you can compress up to around 30% and still get decent results. i expanded the picture and it's still only 32k in size.

JimF · #23 08-19-2002, 11:39 AM

tnx alot for your efforts.

I see the picture on the Sachs box: does the bimet strip look the same on the new VFC as the old?

Also the picture that is posted: Is that the original VFC?

To compare, here's a pic (39kb jpg) of the bimet strip for my VFC. The dimenions are included to see if we have a chance.

Actually, the bimet strip can be 'machined' and/or cut if necessary but it would be a lot less work if it would fit without trimming.

BongC36 · #24 08-20-2002, 02:28 AM

Followed your advice for 70% compression, thank you.

Bimet strip:

L=85mm, W=36mm, pin-to-edge=31mm

Hope it works for you guys.

BongC36 · #25 08-20-2002, 02:34 AM

BTW, these pics are of the OEM clutch but I checked, the Bi-metallic strips of the OEM and the tropical are exactly the same shape and size.

Just a thought, might it be possible to bend the little 'ears' where the 4 tabs are inserted so that they are slightly closer together? Maybe this will cause the pin (valve?) to be activated earlier...

Regards,

JimF · #26 08-20-2002, 11:31 AM

The bimetallic strip (bms) is a little 'short' but it has possibilities. If the top side material is brass(?), then one could solder an extension to it so that it would fit into the M119 VFC.

Question: Is it brass on top? Can you read a part number on the new bms?

Did I interpret the dimensions correctly? Also need the 'width' dimension as shown on the end of the bms?

Also need this dimension:

BongC36 · #27 08-23-2002, 11:43 AM

Jim,

The dimension you asked for is 15mm. The material is a slightly yellowish alloy but I cannot say if it is brass or not. There are no markings on it except for "GE GE GE" all over it.

Sorry it took so long, was out if town for a couple of days. Have you tried bending the 'ears' (where the tabs of the BMS fit into) closer together on your old VFC? I think this will have the effect of 'pre-loading' the valve allowing it to open sooner (lower temp)

JimF · #28 08-23-2002, 12:13 PM

and I've changed the pic above to reflect your dimensions. The end is very small and would have trouble making it fit into the wider assy. But it was worth a try.

Yesterday, a new Sachs part was tested: 2100 013 032. This part represents the redesigned part for MB 'E' class cars including the 500 series.

Click the link: http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/MB_S500.html and select Menu #20.

Unfortunately this part (list for $595) is no better than the older original part. At this writing, the only way to get the same part for our cars as is available to you is to "rework" the bms. But that's easier said than done.

The bms material for the tested part is the same (identical) to the older bms, thus the fans cutin at higher temps.

Your material is definitely different and it's the 'stuff' we need to use if we want lower temp operation of our VFCs.

Tnx alot for your efforts.

JimF · #29 08-23-2002, 05:28 PM

Have you tried bending the 'ears' (where the tabs of the BMS fit into) closer together on your old VFC? I think this will have the effect of 'pre-loading' the valve allowing it to open sooner (lower temp)

That's what I did as a corollary to Stu Ritter's VFC mod. The screw, if you look closely, slightly depresses the VFC pin (clutch). So when my car is cold (first start), the VFC is not engaged. But when the car reaches temp, it is fully engaged.

So the answer is yes but done differently.

jsmith · #30 09-13-2002, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arthur Dalton

I think the thermstat temp range is the most contributing factor..
Very hot here lately, so I stuck a 79C in there from another older Benz just for kicks and the aux has never come on once ..
[ and I have parelleled it to cut-in at 100c]

I'm sure the milage will go down as I can tell it is running richer
than w/87C Thermo, but they like them hot/lean for emmissions/milage, so maybe this is a good in-between...

Might even go with winter/summer thermos like we used to..
So, that 82 might be worth a try, as I find the 79 slightly low for my likeing..

my "82C" thermostat came in after a long delay in shipping, so i couldn't resist and popped it in. BTW it's an 83C Behr - their rounding off from Fahrenheit was wrong. it now runs cooler by a notch. not sure if this is really gonna affect things much - my rationale is that my older car's radiator is probably plugged up to a certain degree and is not as efficient as when new. we'll see the next time i get caught in stop and go NYC traffic.