94 c280 overheating

[wvesldr]

Hi, (new 2 forum)

I just bought a 94 c280 with 63000 miles.
Car is sweet....AMG front, rear spoiler, side skirts, & monoblocks.
I have had for 2months and only driven a couple times.
Literally 300 miles.

Anyway, it is overheating in traffic or when not moving. Gauge does not hit red line but goes right before it.

I was looking @ service records and water pump was replaced @ 61000 miles. I was thinking thermostat, but my friend said c class is notorious for blown head gaskets.

Also when ac is on something is dripping from engine and smoking. (defenitely not water, it stains my driveway)

Any thoughts before I go to repair shop?

Thanks.

[jstrat85]

check were you put the anti freeze that valve cover that you open tp poor in the anti freeze there is a small black rubber pice on the botom of the cap, if thats off that could also cause the car to over heat. mine was bad and i had it replaced. it caused my car to over heat.

[Pagz]

welcome...

it could still be a faulty thermostat not opening fully....so check that too!

Regards,
Paul

[SLAMMED_C]

Things to check are aux fans working (electric), viscous fan engages and not slipping, possible faulty thermostat.

I had a W140 S320 with overheating problems.. turned out to be a faulty viscous fan clutch.. not a W202.. but still an overheating problem.

[jnenad16]

I had the same problem with my C280 a while back. It was a defective thermostat. I replaced it and flushed the system, and it was all good after that. However, do not neglect to inspect other parts, such as radiator, fan clutch and expansion tank cap. I would also highly recommend installing an electric thermoswitch for the auxiliary fans, I will keep the engine temp steady at a specified temp, thus prolonging the life of the cooling system and your engine and increase performance a bit. I installed about 50 of those on my customer's benzes in the past few years including all of my cars and they all work flawlessly.

nenad

ps welcome to the family!

[Sulaco]

Exact same thing happened on my 94 C280 shortly after installing a new water pump, heh. It was 2 things: thermostat and the seal was worn out in my radiator cap.

I've had something dripping from my engine and staining my driveway also. Oil. But it's not a big enough leak to worry. I change my oil about every 12-15k miles and it never leaks enough to have to add more oil between changes.

What color is this drip coming from your car?

[wvesldr]

The liquid dripping is clear but does not have the same consistancy of water.

I just got back from he shop, turned out to be blown aux. fan fuse.

There was a little corrosion on connections to the blower motor.

Whole thing cost me $136 just to replace a f!@#-n fuse.

I need to educate myself........quick........on this car.

Any reading suggestions?????????

Thanks for the help!

[jnenad16]

Originally posted by Sulaco
I change my oil about every 12-15k miles

:eek: :eek: :eek:
damn, change your oil every 3k miles at most if you want your engine to last and prevent or reduce leaks.

nenad

[Sulaco]

Well, I always use Mobil 1 0w30, and have never had a problem. At 100k I drained the oil into a clean pan and examined it very carefully, no shavings, no problems.

Mobil 1's original gameplan was to advertise as an oil you can change every 10-20k miles, with filter changes at 3k intervals. But they realized they could make far more money if they dropped that scheme and made everyone change their oil at the same intervals ($40 a pop) as Wal-Mart deluxe.

My family has done this with every car we've ever had.

Strangely enough, my sister's 05 C240 has "Mobil 1 strongly recommended" or something written underneath the hood, and the car reminds you of oil change at 12.5k after last change.

[wvesldr]

Yeah, I have not even owned the car for 3000 miles.

The guy I bought from kept records of oil change every 3k. (mobil1)

Anyway, I think the leak had something to do w/the AC. & the fan not blowin.

She is all good now.

Now, I am ready to start hookin it up.

Thinkin about:
flashing side mirrors
chrome door handle covers
Full wrap tint
de-badging
some nice door sills

I only have about bout 3 1/2 months b4 the snow starts flyin!

[Sulaco]

I just realized.

You have a 94 280 with 65k miles. Where in the hell did you find something like that? I've been looking for another 94-95 with relatively low miles for it's age.

Mine's a 94 with 165k, I know someone else with a 94 identical to mine with 241k.

What gives!

Oh, and getting educated on that car is particularly easy, if you care about the car. The only thing I've ever taken my car in for was a rebuild of the transmission (it sat in a parking garage the first 4 years of its life), and flex discs. And the only reason I had to get the dealership to fix the flex discs was because I broke down 200 miles from home on the interstate.

[wvesldr]

EBay...............I got lucky.

2 Owners before me. It was a dealer demo, so they hooked w/AMG accenting. Looks nice.


The guy selling it was close to me.

Not too many people where I live care about Benz's, they are all bout garbage. (neons,civics.etc....)

[Sulaco]

That's sort of like the story of my life, except for one difference. I live in Redneckville, USA. I was thought to be gay when I turned 16 and got a 4 door benz as opposed to a Chevy Silverado or S10.

[wvesldr]

I hear that, not to sound stupid but what are flex discs?

[jnenad16]

Originally posted by wvesldr
I hear that, not to sound stupid but what are flex discs?
Its a joint that connects the transmission to the driveshaft, and there is one that connects driveshaft to the differential. the front one usually goes bad after 50-60k miles, depending on driving style and the condition of your transmisson.

nenad

[Sulaco]

Yeah, they're the mercedes version of a universal joint, except vibrate alot less, operate much smoother, and (even though made of rubber) last longer than u-joints.

First signs of bad flex discs are fibres sticking out of them (simply look under the car with a flash light). Second symptom (much easier to notice) is a strange vibration under hard acceleration.

Off topic!