1994 S320 operating temp
 

On a -4degree Canadian winter day my s320 stays at 60 degrees at a standing idle, might creep up to 70. At highway speed it stays at 60 degrees. Is this normal for winter conditions for this engine or is this a thermostate problem, a DIY replacement. Where is the thermostat located on this engine, is it easily accessable.

Zibby

Change the thermostat asap!

60 is low.

Check out Tex's DIY for the 1996 E320

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/212906-pictorial-diy-thermostat-replacement-1996-e320.html

While the year and series are different, the procedure should be nearly identical. He references photos in his article which for some reason I cannot see on my browser.

Hope that helps.

Zibby, I have had exactly that problem, my engine temperature did not go over 70 even after 20 miles of driving. At first I was (wrongly) happy about it because I thought it should be a good thing when the engine is not getting hot, since the purpose of the whole cooling system is to keep engine not getting hot.

After I replaced the thermostat the temperature climbs now to 87C just after 2 miles and remains stable there.

That was worth 15 bucks of part.

Thanks guys. The Pics sight was helpfull too.
I looked under the hood and the thermostate hosing was in plain view, real easy to get at. Have a new one on order will be in on Sat at which time I'll do the R/R.

Zibby

Thermostat in the engine is an 87C thermostat. A new one should bring the bottom end of the temperature into the range of 85C-90C.

Changed the thermostate in the 94 s320 on Sat., operating temp OK now. Job simple and esay.
I've included some pics.

1st pic. is of area / thermostat hosing to be removed.
2nd pic. is of 2 hoses removed and next to remove are the 3ea 10mm bolts and thermostat hosing comes off easily.
3rd pic. is with the old thermostat removed.
4th pic. is old thermostat.......reason for low operating temp.
Old thermostate hosing was in good shape, no corroded areas or warpage of flange, didn't need replacing so I cleaned it up with a wire wheel and reasembled with new thermostat and "O" Ring.
All of 40min worth of work and vertually no loss of fluid.:) Cost of new thermostat and "O" Ring.......$28. Canadian.
Now again a happy MB driver.;):)

Zibby