Replace Thermostat Cover - 1993 190E

Car just came back from shop where head was baked and valve seats were reground. About 90 miles after return, noticed coolant smell. Stopped and saw crack in thermostat cover very close to one of the bolts with decent coolant leak My assuption is that the mechanic torqued down too much on the bolt. Seems kinda concidental otherwise. Problem is that I don't expect the mechanic to cover this problem due to poor relationship during the head repair. So...when he says no...how much effort is it to replace the thermostat cover myself? Is it a delicate repair? Or a fairly straight-forward repair. I am assuming the latter.

I understand this is not an uncommon problem (its plastic) and also understand that for this year and model, I must purchase a thermostat cover with thermostat inside, although I would like to confirm that. Guess I also will likely need an o-ring, gasket, and sealent?

Any thoughts?

Austin

[sbourg]

FastLane shows the cover as G4011-53267 for $9.25. I would only replace other parts if needed. If you did pull the housing, You'd need a new gasket where it connects to the engine, and a new bypass hose likely - much more work than necessary. If the thermostat is old, you could replace it, and in any event you should get a new thermostat o-ring.

Steve

[190dee]

I got adviced on another forum to get a cover that is made in aluminium only. No plastic. This should be a oem part.

I don't have the part number for it but call fastlane/partshop. I'm sure they will find it for you IF it exsist.

[Potomac Pat]

it is a 1984 190E 2.3 application. Buy that and the 87 degree t-stat & you should have everything you need to complete the job.

Yep.Seen a similar problem on my kid bro's car (Kidbenz 1990 190e 1.8).

Damage due to overtightened bolts by dumb tech.

Bought the thermostat cover (plastic) for 8 bucks and took abt 5 minutes.

Loosen big and small hose attached to cover via clamps (one each).Expect some coolant to flow out from the pipes so be prepared.Loosen the 3 retaining bolts on the cover and remove the cover.May take some shaking before it comes out.Replace cover and reverse process.

Top-up coolant as required.

In our case, we swapped out the thermostat as well coz it only cost us another 9 bucks for the part, so what the heck.

Azhari
Babybenz 1991 190e 1.8

Hi,

Try like mad to get the metal cover. The plastic ones break even without a mechanic's bonehead mistakes!

Too many people have been left stranded by this one!.

chicago124

[190dee]

If you don't want to mess up in the engine bay you can drain out some coolant from the radiator. The draining plug is located in one of the lower corners on the radiator. You can fit a hose on the plug and collect all coolant. Drain about 0,5 litres and there won't be any coolant left in the termostat housing.

If the coolant is clean you can reuse it when done.

If the 190 in somewhat similar to my 300E... it's a breeze, takes all of 5min to replace, and it's cheap. Yeah, and do besure to get the metal one, NOT PLASTIC.
Good Luck