94 E500 Oil Pressure/Coolant temp./Idle speed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Holson Adi · #1 04-29-2003, 06:44 PM

I've got some questions regarding a 1994 E500 that I just test drove today.

It was a really nice car. it has an accident indicated in the Carfax Report.

The car had a Remus muffler, some sort of radar detector built in, and lots of those 3M stone-gard thing at various places.

A really neat car.. looked really good with only 47k mi. on it.

Now onto the test drive. Not the smoothest shifting E500 but it's not harsh either.
The engine was very smooth and powerful. The A/C was also nice and cold.

The test drive consisted of a highway run and a little bit of bumper to bumper traffic. The A/C was on all the way.

The idle speed stayed at around 450rpm +/- 50rpm.
The oil pressure was at 1bar once it was up to operating temperature.

The coolant temperature was at 90*C all along and outside air temp was around 73*F

In the traffic it rose to around 95*C and once we pulled back into the service bay of the dealer the temperature immediately went up to around 98*C-100*C

I was a little concerned bout the low oil pressure but i figured it could just be a lighter weight oil used. The rather high coolant temp also got me because itw as only 73F outside and knowing Boston summer... it'll be 90+F in August.

The brake fluid looked clean, the coolant was orange (looked like MB coolant but could be one of those new Prestones).

The engine bay looked clean too.

What do you guys think? Are these readings normal?

The Stone Gard on the front bumper definitely kept the lip looking immaculate...

Gary Ganaway · #2 04-29-2003, 07:56 PM

Holson: I have a 95 E420 so there might be some comparison on readings. My idle usually stays near 500. Temperature normally around 80-90. Today is was about 75F and after about a 50 mile highway and traffic driving the temp went from 80 to 90. My oil pressure, after warmed up typically at 2-2.5 at idle and I normally run a 10W-40 weight.

#3 04-29-2003, 07:58 PM

Do a search, a Oil Pressure of 2 seems to be average at idle.

Any leaks under the car? A trannsmission with low fluid will shift sort of "clunky".

Does the car have full records?

Holson Adi · #4 04-29-2003, 08:53 PM

10W-40 and you get 1.5bar. I suppose if the owner did use 5W-30

then maybe 1 bar makes sense?

My diesel's oil pressure is around 1.5 on a hot day w/ the A/C engaged but the idle speed is still around 650rpm.

The guy said all he could do was see if the service department has any records of the car. I guess he was saying "no service records"

Oh BTW, I forgot to mention that 1 bar is w/ the transmission in D.

I have to talk to my mechanic. I'm not sure if he would be willing to do it on the dealer's terms.
They say that the car can't leave their premise (my mechanic would have to come all the way there to have a look at it)

The Michelin XGT Z4's were really harsh....

I didn't see any leaks under the car. However I'm sure I could ask for a Transmission Service, Brake Fluid flush, etc. if this is indeed the one.

I would like a stock one but the mods are nice and tastefully executed and the p.o seemed like a very rich car enthusiast...

The car also had the least amount of rust of all the other E500's I've seen (in the trunk area around the spare tire)

placo1 · #5 04-29-2003, 09:01 PM

Holson,

The oil pressure seems a little low but your hunch of a light viscosity oil would definitely cause this. I would search through the service records to find what the owner used last.

I'm currently using a 10W40 Synthetic and my oil pressure drops to just above 1.5 once the car is at idle and completely warmed up.

The coolant temperatures your seeing are normal. I've seen similar temperatures on cooler days depending on how the car has been driven. Humidity also has a big affect on the temperature from what I've noticed. The temp should never exceed 105C for everyday use, track use is a different story.

I guess the only concern I would have is to make sure that the accident was repaired correctly. Have a good tech and possibly body shop review this.

placo1 · #6 04-30-2003, 12:49 AM

I'd be a bit leary if they're not willing to let the car leave the premises. How can a mechanic do a thorough test including compression and undercarriage if he/she is in an unfamiliar garage using unfamiliar tools.

When I bought my car the selling dealer drove the car to another MB dealership of my choice where I proceeded to talk to the dealer about everything. They later picked it up after I called and told them the inspection was done. I can't believe they wouldn't do this if they're serious about selling the car........unless they have something to hide.

Regarding the oil pressure, mine floated right around 2 when I was using Valvoline 15W50 Synthetic. The Amsoil Synthetic is 10W40 and I have to assume flows easier at high temp.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Holson Adi · #7 04-30-2003, 01:37 AM

That's true. Their reason is liability blah blah blah they are afraid that my mechanic might strip the car, take off good parts, etc.

The selling dealer is an authorized MB dealer.

Now that I think about it again. The car's paint was a little too pretty for a 94. Which got me to think that it had been repainted.

Besides I have asked my mechanic and the dealer's terms for inspection are unrealistic for him. I'm gonna tell the salesman that and see what he has to say.

shanta · #8 04-30-2003, 10:02 AM

When I bought my E500 the selling dealer said the same thing. So what I worked out was the selling dealer sending someone with me to my inspection tech, that way they can see that no one is going to strip the car for parts. Believe it or not, things have been known to come up missing when you let customers just take a car somewhere else for an inspection. I would see if the dealer is willing to send someone with you for the inspection.

New2Mercedes · #9 04-30-2003, 04:36 PM

Holson,

You said this car is at a MB Retailer did they not do an inspection? When I bought my 92 500 in August they did a thorough Starmark certification inspection as if they would certify the car even though they could not, are they not willing to do that? I know u dont trust them totally for an inspection alone but if that has not even been done I would definitely insist on an Indy to look at it? My dealer fixed things mechanically I never would have found even though they would not certify the car but because it was a 500 there was some respect for the car. I was also lucky the car was clean as I did not have the foresight to have a pre-inspection by an Indy. WHEWWW and just got an aftermarket warranty. I know you know this since you have been looking for a while but have them also pull a VMI.

Second you indicate the Carfax states an accident. Yet later on you said the paint looked kinda clean to not have been repainted. If Carfax states an accident it likely occurred. I am not sure how that Carfax file gets populated with this data as noone seems to be able to explain that to me (one of lifes great mysteries I guess) but if it actually had one its likely someone took great care to ensure it was entered. I have seen plenty of highline cars with bodywork and no report on Carfax. Maybe there is some threshold required b4 Carfax is alerted.

I am a bodywork and paint guy and will leave the mechanical to the experts on this forum. If its a reported Carfax accident I would seriously investigate this car...the mechanical issues might be the least of your worries.

Good Luck

Holson Adi · #10 04-30-2003, 06:20 PM

Yeah they said they will go over it almost to the extent they would a Starmark'd car.

I am getting an aftermarket warranty that is why I'm looking at the 1994 models. I haven't found a company that would still cover a 93.

What I meant by the paint looking good was that some parts of the car looked unbelievably good for a 10yr old car. Maybe that's just because of the low mileage.

However I suspected it as a result of the accident repair (repaired the accident, repainted it, applied all the 3M Stone-Gard, etc.)

My mechanic has agreed to come with me to the dealer on a Saturday or something. Now it's up to me I guess.

I would hate to buy the car w/ the accident report and later not be able to sell it when I have to.

This is the Carfax Entry..

10/01/1998 Massachusetts
Police Report
Boston, MA
Accident Reported
Vehicle involved in crash
with another vehicle

Massachusetts Police Reports:
Do not include an assessment of damage severity
Are processed if the estimated damage exceeds $1000
Are released to CARFAX approximately 4 months after the accident date

*also the fact that it has the least rust among the E500/500E's I've seen must have something to do w/ the fact that it originally came from Florida and only came to Boston in 1997*

ItalianBenz · #11 04-30-2003, 06:39 PM

Holson for the engine temp to be at almost 95-100 with AC could be a lazy viscous fan. Because with the ac on engine hot. The fran clutch kicks on @ 95 C. If the3 radiator has some cold spots in it, or the fan clutch is not doing its job. Then you can get those high Temps. But for only being 73 ambient. It should of ran a little cooler than that. As for the oil press. My can runs a little over 1` bar everyday. Thats is @ ilde and stops. When driving that is where you shopulkd be concerned. It sohuld always peak @ 3 bar. I run Valvoline racing 20/50. i ve tried tyhe thinnner oils my car does not like it. Tried mobil 1 didnt care for it.

If the car is 8 yrs old or less can be starmark. has to hjave 60K on it. To qualify. I am starmark certiefed tech. So I know about these things.

COuld be at least a good body finish maybe the body work was more cosmetics panels and so on. If no major core or frame damage. Sounds like a keeper.

guido

PaulG · #12 05-01-2003, 07:34 AM

Holson Adi,

If it's running hot, that may explain the slightly low oil pressure.

IMHO low-ish oil pressure is nothing to loose sleep over.....

I would get the cooling checked though, both your problems may go away together.

-fad · #13 05-01-2003, 01:31 PM

I would agree with Guido's input on likely causes of the temp increase and would add:

re: harsh ride
>suspect rear nitrogen cells (r/r ~$500+/-)

I have replaced nitrogen cells, power steering pump and p/s hose, caps and rotors- - and that's it- - last year:
'94 E500 (42.9k)

If the car's exterior has been re stored back to factory condition or better....mech issues aside,,, I wouldn't worry about the Car Fax Report unless it carries a "Salvaged" Title.

hope this helps
-fad

-fad · #14 05-02-2003, 12:30 PM

...took the E500 (42.9k) out for a little spin yesterday afternoon (before our SF Bay Area expected incoming rain)

For comparison to your subject purchase:

Conditions: 75 degrees/ a bit of humidity / city traffic- block to block stoplights

> a/c on: steady 1.75 bar at 650 rpm idle at stop
@ 85 degrees engine temp-

> a/c off: steady 1.75 bar at 650 rpm idle at stop
@ 90 degrees engine temp- aux fans kicked on

best regards
-fad

run.exe · #15 05-02-2003, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ItalianBenz
My can runs a little over 1 bar everyday @ ilde and stops. Driving is where you should be concerned.
It should always peak @ 3 bar.

guido

I am @ 1.5-2 bar (idle/stopped) and 3+ bar (driving... like hell).

Currently, I am running Mobil-1 15W50 synthetic engine oil.