300TE questions
 

Just got my first Benz. I've been a long time admirer. I grew up with a 72 280SE 4.5 in the family that mom still owns that was purchased new by her dad from Sutherland motors in Spokane. Always thought it was an impressive car considering when it was made.
Anyhow, enough shouting the praises.
I've got an 89 300TE and I've purchased a repair manual that is less than astounding, so it's time to ask the knowledgeable.

I've noticed in this hot weather that parking the car and shutting it off after it is fully warmed up makes the temp gauge read hotter when I start it. I noticed there is a small electric coolant pump in the engine compartment and wondered if it is supposed to run after the engine is shut off. Turbo Audi's had a similar setup that is supposed to run after shut down and the pumps fail frequently. I just wonder if this is a similar scenario.

On a recent road trip I noticed a small amount of play in the steering while driving straight down the road. In other cars that I've experienced that have a steering box, as opposed to a rack, there was a stud with a locknut on the top of the steering box that would allow a person to adjust out that slop. Will I find that on my W124 steering box? If not, what should I be looking for as the culprit? BTW, this car has @ 172K miles.

I'm not new to wrenching, but I am new to Benz's. You may have gathered by my username that I'm also a fan of another german make.
Many thanks for your help.

Congratulations on your new Benz! The W124s are great cars.

Get the MB shop manual on CDROM. Generally, a pretty thorough guide, although it can be confusing to navigate. Shopforum member dakota has put together a great index for the cdroms, it's available here:

http://homepage.mac.com/dakota/1/index.html

The temp increase after shutdown is pretty normal. I don't think there's too much to worry about, since the engine stops producing heat when it's off, and the coolant (being cooler than the block) will continue to pull heat out of the block.

The small electric pump is for the heater, and keeps water flowing at idle. I'm not sure if it's supposed to keep operating when the car is off, though it may/will stay on if the engine is off but the key is in the "on" position.

Up to 1 inch of play at dead center is normal. I don't know much about the steering box (others here do), but there is an adjustment nut, and it doesn't so much remove play as adjust friction. Overtightening the nut will strip the gears in the box.

300TE questions
 

Welcome to the Benz family.

Three years ago I bought my daughter a 1989 300TE. Best little car around. Except for a stalling issue that has been finally resolved, the car has been bullet-proof.

I agree with Anthony's assessments. I would also suggest that you purchase Stu Ritter's book. It is called:

The "Mercedes-Benz E-Class Owner's Bible: 1986-1995" by Bentley
Publishers.

I think it is listed at Amazon under:

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0837602300/103-5004004-9046222

It is a great book with tons of useful information on the entire W124 line.

Good luck and happy motoring.

Steering play in the W124 is most likely in the tie rod ends. If the car feels as though it 'wiggles', meaning it will pull a little to one side and then the other, then the wheel bearings need to be adjusted.

Thanks for your help. I'll have a look at those tie rod ends, and that repair manual is on its' way to me from Amazon.