This is my first MB which I wanted for a long time. I have had this E320 for about two months now and have been chaning fluids, brakes, etc. Monday night the low coolant light came on and it was indeed low on coolant, leaking from a 1/4" split in the bypass hose. So I replaced all three hoses. I was relieved to see yellow cooland come out when I pulled the bottom hose. I buttoned it up, topped it off and burped it with the top rad hose.

This process has made me more aware of the temp gauge while driving. The temps do not seem any different than before the coolant leak but I wonder what the norm is and what the marks in the gauge indicate. Are the ticks on the gauge 40-60-80-100-120? Obviously 40, 60, 80 and 120 are marked. Is the one between 80 and 120 100?

Morning temps here are low to mid 70s and the w/o AC turned on the gauge splits the center of the 8 of the 80 numeral. That seems fine. At afternoon rush it has been more like 90-95 and at that time with air on the gauge splits the top of the 8 when moving and will creep up to the next tick in 10 minutes of freeway stop and go. If the tick mark between the 80 and 120 indicates 100 then does that seem a little hot? Should I be a little concerned?

Thanks again for the forum and for the experienced feedback.

Regards,

__________________
Tim Benner

00 ML320 170K
95 E320 wgn 160K