m103 time to operating temperature?
 

I have a 3L m103 in my 190E 2.6..

I was just wondering how long (time or miles) should it take the motor to reach ~80C (operating temp) in a 30F ambient outdoor temp ?

I went to get gas last night around midnight and it was 29F on my outside temp sensor gauge...the motor got up to to 80C in under a mile (approx 4-5 minutes) I dont believe that to be a normal time considering my 2.6L that was in there almost never got to 80C in the winter temps--even after nearly 8 miles (15 minutes of driving)

At the same point where the 3L hit 80C, the 2.6 barely had enough warmth to output heat @ the vents.

What would cause such a rapid warm up?

When I squeeze the upper radiator hose that goes into the t-stat housing, I hear this sound like there a tiny ball ratting around..


-Thanks
Kris

All MB engines (and most car engines in general) are designed to heat up to operating temp as quickly as possible. So the car that heats up faster is operating properly....if it takes a long time to heat up or if it never seems to quite get there, then your thermostat is probably in need of replacement.

My 3 liter M103 takes about 3-4 minutes of 35+ mph driving to get to 80C....maybe 5-6 minutes if its REALLY cold. At 30F it only takes it about 2-3 mins tops to get to temp on the highway.

The diesel's take much longer. My 617 with a working T-stat will take several miles or close to 10 minutes to reach full operating temp if its cold out and I'm not driving very fast. On the highway it takes about 4-5 minutes.

If its real cold (like 0-10F) my diesel will sometimes not make it all the way to operating temp....because the heater core is sucking away too much heat. :eek: