Directions for 300E thermostat replacement
 

Does anyone in here have instructions and/or pictures on how to replace a thermostat on a 1988 300E? I need to do this and have never done it before.

Thanks in Advance!!
Allan

1.- Make sure engine is cool
2.- Open coolant reservoir
3.- Place a BIG clean pan to pick up the leaking coolant (when you remove the thermostat Housing)
4.- Remove the thermostat housing (2 or 3 bolts?)
5.- Remove old thermostat(gasket?)
6.- Place new thermostat the same way the old one was(gasket?)
7.-Screw back on the housing (2 or 3 bolts?)

It took me 10 minutes.

A small addition to pesuazo's tips:

There is a small pinhole on the thermostat that assists in evacuating air in the system. Make sure the thermostat is oriented in such a manner that the pinhole is at the highest position of the housing.

Actually, this isn't too critical, since the M104 configuration has the thermostat housing nearly level at every bolt location (three in your case)...but I place mine with the pinhole at about the 12 o'clock position (if you are facing the engine from the front)...

OK I feel dumb asking this but is the thermostat located near or on the coolant reservoir. Where is it located? (The thermostat)

Its ontop of the water pump which is to the right of the distributor if your facing the engine...it has a hose attached to a the thermostat housing which has (3) ten mm bolts holding it in place... take g-benz's advice and make sure the pinhole is at the highest elevation posible...good luck

Anybody know the torque values for those three little bolts?

Thanks.

dont have the service CD's here with me at the office.....but I can tell you its not very high...You could wrench one off rather easily

6Nm. I think finger tight is 5Nm.

There are two bolt heads beside the dipstick handle. Pull one or both when filling to bleed air from the cooling system. When coolant comes out of the holes, it's full.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD