I'm wondering if this is a normal reading for the temp gauge? i was sitting in traffic with the AC running, and the temp got about this high...didn't go any higher, and I was just wondering if it is normal? As you can see, the ambient temp was 88F.

Also, IIRC, isn't the economy gauge supposed to read all the way to the left at idle while the car is in drive? If I put it in park, the gauge reads all the way left...but in drive, it moves to the 3/4 mark.

Any insight? Thanks guys.

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

If you're sitting in traffic, 88F ambient, and running the A/C and that's as hot as it's getting, you have nothing to worry about. Good that you're paying attention, but you can rest easy on this one.

I feel that is in fact a little too warm!

John

Yes, I feel that it may be just slightly too warm...not to the point where it's overheating, but just a little hot. I'm being extra paranoid with this car as well, since it's a inline 6, and I know how they like to pop head gaskets.

The temp drops down to the 80C mark when cruising on the freeway, so I suspect the viscous fan clutch is getting a little weak (low on fluid). Also, I'm not sure that my auxiliary fan is kicking on...I had a friend tell me that they heard the fan running, but the car is so well insulated, that I can't actually hear if it's coming on or not... :\.

Well, in the summer...temps in socal regularly get into triple digits. So if it's having trouble dealing with 88F, then something is amiss.

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

Use the link below to check out a fix. I've used it successfully on a 90' 300CE and a 92' 500SL.

http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/MB_CTS.html

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My evolution with Benz's
'77 240D
'87 420SEL
'90 300CE
'92 500SL 43k

Many will attest that reading is fine, not unusal at all. Did your aux. fan kick on? It should kick in anything much higher than that. They can be finicky though.

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Question Authority before it Questions you.

If you want to try to make it run cooler, have at it, but I think you're going to spend lots of time chasing a nonexistent problem.

i think where your gauge is about right , considering your description...

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Seems about right to me as well. I know if I restart the car after driving on a warm day, the temp gauge reads higher than normal for the first few minutes as well.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

If you want a proper diagnosis, you have to answer the question posed to you by a poster about the aux fan activation...open the hood and LOOK...

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A Dalton

I will try this again.

Does anyone know when the aux fan is supposed to kick on? Is it controlled by a separate temp. sensor?

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

It triggers at 105C coolant temp for the hHgh speed and it triggers at 290PSI refrigerant high side pressure for the Low speed.

That is why we asked the question. There are two circuits and therefore there can be different diagnosis.
You tell us and then we will be able to give you a complete, accurate, correct diagnosis..

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A Dalton