I recently got a 250D (602 engine). When I opened to check the T-stat, there was none inside. The middle part was taken out probably to keep the engine cooler. I'm averaging 85 degrees now.

Should I get a new one and inistall it? The T-stat for diesels are about 85 degrees.

What happens if I just leave it as is. I;m very happy with the temperature now. It just stays at 85 even at heavy sto and go traffic.


Thanks!


Francis

francis,

I would suggest that you install the correct thermostat. Without it you don't warm up the engine fast enough. If your engine is running too cool, it's not healthy for the engine. You don't boil the moisture and acid out of the oil, and there is more wear in a cool engine than a hot one. I have measured cylinders in a few engines before and found that the end cylinders which run cooler because they don't share the coolant with the neighboring cylinder on both sides, have more wear. The hotter cylinders will last longer. There are limits to this of course, they should not be TOO hot either.

Thermostats are inexpensive and easy to replace.

Good luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Thanks Larry! Will go ahead and get a T-stat installed tomorrow. By the way, what is the BEST operating temperature for MB diesels? I have a 300D (603 engine) and a 250D (602 engine).


Thanks!

Francis