Took the car out tonight. Temp was a solid stable temp just below 80 like always. Shutting the car off, the fan freewheeled for a bit, way more than the normal two or less rotations. Did the newspaper check too and it stopped the fan. So I guess the diagnosis is a bad fan clutch correct? Never got it hot enough to kick on the aux fans, but that doesn't seem like it's needed now.

So my next question is what's the hurry to replace the clutch if the normal driving temp is where it should be? Guess the issue would be if I ever get stuck in traffic again.

Thanks again for all the help. Not sure whether I want to attack this myself or not. Might be a lot easier to just write a check.

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles