Running temps in hot climate?

[jaymanek]

I’m currently touring in my 500e wagon and the temps here are around 40 degrees centigrade during the day.
I have never seen my gauge go much over horizontal in the UK... but at the moment it’s settling in the higher section of the gauge.
aux fan is on most of the time.
Really don’t fancy any engine damage whilst I’m away.

ac is on all the time as it’s so hot! I know this won’t help but need to keep the family cool!

I know my other 500e, which came from Dubai had holes drilled into the thermostat when I removed it...

what Temp is normal for hot countries? Is the car ok driving at over 100 degrees for extended periods?

ps all is new genuine parts incl pump, viscous, thermostat, radiator etc etc.

 

[gsxr]

Assuming the cooling system is in top shape, zero leaks, holds pressure, etc etc... I wouldn't get too worried as long as temps remain below ~110°C on the gauge. I'd start getting nervous if the gauge indicates 115°C or above, and by 120°C flip the heater on max.

HOWEVER - verify the viscous fan clutch is engaged/roaring by indicated temps of 100°C. If not, you have either a clutch or airflow issue. New Sachs/Horton clutches can be mis-calibrated out of the box. The twin electric fans aren't meant for primary engine cooling, they're supposed to help at low vehicle speeds with both AC performance and auxiliary engine cooling. The electric fans will trigger on high speed at 107°C.

Be careful with drilling holes in the t-stat. That may or may not have any effect. The t-stat should be completely open by 100C and I'm not convinced holes will improve flow enough to change operating temps when engine temps are high enough to already have the stat fully opened.

 

[gerryvz]

As the @gsxr says, you can safely go on with no issues at 110C indicated. Much above that starts getting concerning, but 105 and 110 are fine. Just a note to yourself that when you get back you need to diagnose things. My G-wagen had the same problem for about a year, and it turned out that it was a bad thermostat. 110C and even 115C had no ill effects on the engine.

With a good and working thermostat, I don't think I've ever even cracked 100C even on hot days with the A/C at max.

 

[jaymanek]

Thanks guys.. I have another leg of the journey tomorrow so will monitor. I don’t think it went above 110.

I’ll check for the visco roar tomorrow... I know all else are brand new Mercedes items... I can’t remember if I used a dealer viscous fan, think it was one of the trusted brands mentioned on here...

 

[jaymanek]

Hi All..

Well after the UK government cut short our travel plans, I had to sprint back home!

The Clutch is a Febi item and does seem to roar as it should...
I would like to change it for a genuine or Sachs item for peace of mind, but cannot seem to locate one anywhere. Dealer item seems NLA?

The temp on the return was much better as it was cooler on the drive home. Outside temp was 22-30 celsius all the way and the indicated temp never went above 105ish.
I could see it gradually rising on hill sections of the road and then settle again on the straights.

All other items are genuine MB parts and new so I cant see any of them being the issue.

Intermittently the car would go into limp also, but thats another story... I think thats The E-Gas module as I had this issue some time back, codes pointed to communication issues to the E-Gas... but then it never happened again so i left it.
Seems to be possibly heat related, as for the first 3-400 miles no limp... Then regularly every 50-100 miles it would drop out of cruise and id lose the pedal.

Fun fun fun....

On a positive note... how fun to drive a 500E wagon across europe with the kids in the luggage compartment and matching roof boxes!

 

[jaymanek]

Here is a pic of my boys in the Alps!

 

[gsxr]

Fan roaring is good... but the temps seem a bit higher than ideal. But again, if they generally stay below 100C in lower ambients, and rarely exceed 105C in summer when loaded, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Some M119's run warmer than others (assuming the gauge is accurate) and you could expend a lot of effort trying to fix something that isn't really broken.

I wasn't aware the OE clutch is NLA, but it appears it may be... oh crap. That's bad.

https://partssearch.mercedes-benz-classic.com/parts/A1192000122?tt=automatic

Guess I should start collecting them from the junkyard, but I only find maybe 1 or 2 per year, maybe.

 

[gerryvz]

Sachs item for peace of mind, but cannot seem to locate one anywhere. Dealer item seems NLA?

Dealer item is a Horton (which is related to Sachs) and is part number 119 200 01 22.

You are correct -- it DOES APPEAR THAT THE M119 FAN CLUTCH IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM MB.




There is a thread on the forum about an M104 clutch being used? Haven't read through it, but it's located here.

Also, there is a Chinese-made ACM fan clutch which some are saying works well, but requires a somewhat shorter center bolt.

 

[gerryvz]

Hi All..

Well after the UK government cut short our travel plans, I had to sprint back home!

The Clutch is a Febi item and does seem to roar as it should...
I would like to change it for a genuine or Sachs item for peace of mind, but cannot seem to locate one anywhere. Dealer item seems NLA?

The temp on the return was much better as it was cooler on the drive home. Outside temp was 22-30 celsius all the way and the indicated temp never went above 105ish.
I could see it gradually rising on hill sections of the road and then settle again on the straights.

All other items are genuine MB parts and new so I cant see any of them being the issue.

Intermittently the car would go into limp also, but thats another story... I think thats The E-Gas module as I had this issue some time back, codes pointed to communication issues to the E-Gas... but then it never happened again so i left it.
Seems to be possibly heat related, as for the first 3-400 miles no limp... Then regularly every 50-100 miles it would drop out of cruise and id lose the pedal.

Fun fun fun....

On a positive note... how fun to drive a 500E wagon across europe with the kids in the luggage compartment and matching roof boxes!

WIth the high speed temps rising and falling depending on engine load, you may well have a bad thermostat.

 

[skikrazey]

Can the fan clutch be rebuilt?

Perhaps the next group buy?

Anyone check with Tom Hanson at MB Classic?

 

[gsxr]

Can the fan clutch be rebuilt?

The original Sachs/Horton M119 clutch can be adjusted / recalibrated, but it's not easy, and is high risk.

 

[skikrazey]

Thanks gsxr, always wondered about that. Don't want a potential grenade under the hood!

 

[jaymanek]

Thanks gsxr, always wondered about that. Don't want a potential grenade under the hood!

I had one fail once on my M104. Made a right mess and could easily have damaged the bonnet. Really disastrous when they fall apart. I would only use OEM now.

 

[TerryA]

Here is a pic of my boys in the Alps!

Jay,

Great looking ride and thats two handsome young men you have there.

In regards to the OEM fan clutch being NLA. Doesn’t Jono at Blueridge re-calibrate them?

Just Checking