The car is the 87 190e 2.3 with 250k miles. I know the head has been off the car but how long ago, is unknown.

I have been chasing this problem now for almost a year. On the road the car’s temperature is always just above 80 degrees. In stop and go traffic the temp will creep towards 100 and sometimes goes higher. Sometimes the electromagnetic fan kicks in, sometimes not. Most of the time it does, but if not, then the AC fan kicks in high speed.


This is what I have done:

-Changed the radiator cap to a 140
-Replaced the sensor for the electromagnetic fan.
-Replaced the thermostat
-Replaced the engine temperature sensor for the ECU
-Adjusted the mixture to that it ranges between 70-74%
-Flushed the cooling system
-The coolant mixture is 50% water, 50% coolant

Today I replaced the radiator with great expectations of finally curing the problem, only to see it get too hot, almost more so with the new radiator than with the old one?!?!

Questions:

-Should I remove the thermostat and run it that way?

-Am I just staring a head gasket in the face and not recognizing it?

-Do I have an air pocket? If so how do I get it out?

-Is the mixture still too lean?


Your help is greatly appreciated at this point ….

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)