1984 500SE gets hot when sitting in traffic
 

Hey all,

I post more frequently over on BenzWorld, but I figured I'd look here for some advice too.

Lately, my 500SE will start warming up past 85-90C (where it usually is) when I'm sitting at a long stoplight or in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Looking for suggestions as to what I should check when I get back home. Fans seem to be fine, and thermostat as well, but I'll verify that once I get back to San Antonio.

Thanks!

Usual suspects would be fan clutch or clean system with citrus flush.

Fanatic, how did you determine that the thermostat is fine? That is the first, and least expensive, part to suspect as the root cause. It may not be opening completely which causes the engine temperature to rise when the car is stopped for extended periods.

IF your engine overheats only is slow traffic and not with higher speeds it is not the thermostat.

Check the fan clutch first, most likely it is not working properly.

It is also possible that your radiator is worn, with a limited cooling capacity much more airflow is necessary for cooling. This leads combined with a older fan clutch to overheating at low speeds, Modern radiators loose much of their cooling capacity after 5 years

Rob

I'll check the clutch and the radiator.

radiator efficency
 

Is there more informtion on that ?