Yesterday in stop go city traffic, with outside temp around 15C, the water temp gauge nearly hit the redline. Needle got to 100 before I was able to get onto a clear road. At speed, temp fell back to normal. I've seen the post on the 560SL overheating, but my big belt-driven fan is working fine. I have no fitted a/c.
Silly questions maybe, but does my 116 engine have more than one fan? The car has just had the coolant changed at MB dealer as part of an early 84K mile service. My car has done 78K miles. Should I still flush the system? What is 'rodding' the radiator? Will that help? Could I have a faulty themrmostat?

Have you check your cooling fan clutch or the radiator.
If the runing hot problem is happen after the
coolant service...possible air in the coolant
system (switch the heater on for 10 min) if
still hot have a tech check it for you.

Is there an easy way for me to check the fan clutch before taking the car to the garage. Where is it roughly and what does it look like?

The fan clutch is mounted directly to the fan and is usally OK if the fan has some resistance when turned by hand when good and hot. There is no good way to check it exept to rev the engine to about 1500 rpm and let it get hot. At about 100 you will hear the fan come in and out. There is no way to rod the radiator on a Mercedes...If the radiator is faulty, replace it. I have seen many!!

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM




[This message has been edited by Benzmac (edited 05-14-99).]