normal running temperature

[Buzz1024]

I'm just wondering what the normal running temp should be for a C230k - the dial needle usually sits at just over 80 but sometimes creeps up to 90 but doesn't go any higher - I've checked coolant and this is ok - is this slight variation in temp normal? - what temp should the fan kick in?
My V220 dial temp tends to wander a bit but this is normal as it's a really cool running engine but if this isn't normal for the c230 then I'll start with the thermostat and go from there.
Any ideas?

[taz069]

From what I have read in other post this is the normal range 80-90 +/-. Now Not knowing how many miles you have on your lil one a new thermostat might be needed sometime in the near future. I read a post where the person was trying new fans and a ton of other stuff even going as far as changing the radiator. His only prob was a fubared(messed up) $12 thermostat. But as of right now if it ain't broke don't fix it, hehe. Glad to see ya in 202.

[Buzz1024]

thanks - my 202 has 128k on the clock so a new thermostat will be getting fitted along with a few other bits - new MAF on order, got some relays etc coming as well, engine & tranny oils will be getting changed this week and supercharger oil is ordered.

[Denlasoul]

I change out my thermostat wirh every coolant flush. Its cheap, so might as well make sure it is running properly.

Also, I recall a long time ago, Nokia switched over to a lower temperarure thermostat. That Thread is somewhere on the Forum.

[Sulaco]

Be happy you don't have an M104 in your w202. The M104 is notoriously hot-running. Most C280 owners would kill to have a car that never gets over 90C

[vaspen]

lol a way to check is take the thermostat out and throw it in a pan of boiling watter and watch for it to open up saves money and eliminates a problem also you can get a lower temp sometimes by drilling a hole thru the center of the thermostat

[MikeD]

The fact that my engine can boil water sometimes scares me.

[Buzz1024]

The thermostat is opening ok and there is no water loss - and having left the engine running for a bit it didn't go over 90 so not worried about it now.
I've had cars in the past which had a wide "normal" temp and I've had cars on which the needle never wavered - so going by what you guys are saying, and other threads I've read, then this temp variation is normal :)

[Denlasoul]

lol a way to check is take the thermostat out and throw it in a pan of boiling watter and watch for it to open up saves money and eliminates a problem also you can get a lower temp sometimes by drilling a hole thru the center of the thermostat
True, but unless tou have a therometer handy, you are not completely sure if it opens at correct temp (87C, I believe).

[Buzz1024]

thermometer is one of the things I keep in my tool box - I've tested many thermostats over the years :)

[vaspen]

inferred thermomiter

[RobertCarew]

If you get a new thermostat theres a failsafe thermostat...if car over heats it props itself open and stays open figure that feature might come in handy one day...and yeah i wish my c280 didnt go over 90 lol

[vaspen]

I know if we cut rivets in the hood it would le out a lot ! of heat that bay is almost air tight on topside it needs to out vent better especialy with a s.c faster heat drops

[RobertCarew]

I know if we cut rivets in the hood it would le out a lot ! of heat that bay is almost air tight on topside it needs to out vent better especialy with a s.c faster heat drops

On the kompressor models does the fan shroud cover all of the radiator or is it the same as on my c280 about 8 inchs wide top to bottom is not covered at all and unless the electric fans are on there is no airflow through that section of radiator....to me if that was covered it would cool that much more i have thought about modding my shroud to cover that section just to see...has anyone else done this or thought about it?

[vaspen]

agen I want pop rivets in my hood lol all the inlet is the factory intake box in the front of the car is the only air flow into the hood

[vixen_w202]

This is more a reply to the original topic, but I live in the Mojave Desert in California...one of the hotter places in the states, and in the summer my C280 doesn't peak above 90 ever. Keep in mind I did a full coolant flush not too long ago though with Zerex coolant and prestone flush.

[joshwwahhh]

my temperature never goes past 90, goes down to 80 once im running. I live in San Fernando valley area in los angeles (the hotter part of los angeles). I had the car for about 4 months and when I first got my 280 it did scare me because in my w124 temp stays at 80 and also my bmw once it gets past 12oclock position I got to pullover 80-90 is normal running condition for 202's

[vaspen]

yea vix that's pretty good XD I live in p.a and mine gets a tad hotter than that sometimes but then agen I oh so love to spank it LOL