i have a w124 e320.... id like to attempt to replace my therm... i have no clue where the therm is... so my first questions is... "where is it" ive read severaly threads about the therm housing... and that it should probably be replaced also... but again... i need to start at step one...

does anyone have any pictures.. or links i could use in order to replace this... any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks-
charles

also, is the therm an MB only part or can i go to any auto shop to purchase one?

again.. any help would be greatly appreciated!!

-Thanks

Should probably try doing a search for "thermostat."

Pretty simple job, it's the small bell housing attached to the upper radiator hose at the front of the engine. You'll want to remove the coolant expansion tank cap, drain the radiator (at least partially), and unbolt the three bolts securing the housing. Dig out the o-ring with a small pick, remove the thermostat, and install the new one+new o-ring. The small ball valve on the thermostat goes at the highest point (usually on the block side of the housing).

The real question is - why do think you need to replace the thermostat?

thanks-

the engine has been running very warm at ideal... warmer than it has ever been... getting close to 120.... but when im driving it goes back down to 90ish or so.... the car has a new radiator (dealer installed)... and no leaks around the water pump..... so thats my next guess....

thanks again...
-carino

more like a fan issue than thermostat. are your fans working properly? i suggest a search for fan clutch diagnosis, and the electric fan diagnosis. there have been a lot of discussions about it recently on this forum.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

the aux fans infront of the radiator turn on properly... turn on around 100 or so...
-charles

I know this sounds crazy, but are you sure the fans are blowing in the right direction? I read a post here last month where the guy was having major cooling problems at idle and couldn't figure out what was causing it as the rad was good, the water pump and thermostat were good, and the aux fans came on right when they were supposed to. It turns out that the fans were spinning in the wrong direction so instead of pulling air from outside the car through the radiator to cool it, they were pulling hot air from the engine compartment through the radiator which wasn't helping the temperature.

If I remember right, this happened because the aux fans had been plugged in backwards when they were removed at some point. Do a search, I'm sure you'll find the thread. If you want to check yourself, take a piece of paper and hold it up in front of your grille when the fans are on. The paper should be pulled towards the grille. If the paper is pushed away, then your fans are turning in the wrong direction.

Its a cheap and easy thing to check, so as crazy as it sounds, give it a look.

Jonathan