OMG !! My wheels, my wheels !! What have you done to my Rials?!?!
Had them completely stripped to the bare metal, and applied a new powder coating. The coating is still there - it's just the top layer that somehow wasn't car-wash proof
I think you are fine, Jelmer. I really do.
Thanks, you might be right and I'm just over-thinking this, but I don't think so... The difference between AC off and on is HUGE.
Jelmer - in the winter did you car frequently run at temps less than 80*C? Or, did it take a long time for the temp to reach 80*C?
Nope. Heater kicked in quickly and then it jumped to a level 85C and stayed there.
i.e. verify the factory electric fans are running (and in the proper direction, lol), verify you primary fans are running as expected, etc. Also - was this in stop & go traffic, or while cruising along at >40kph? Not likely to be ignition/fuel related or a bad dash gauge, although you can verify the latter using an IR thermometer.
They always did work OK, and also in the right direction (I used a CH92 for a while, so had them roaring quite often). Primary fans, I should check them. Maybe re-write an LED into the cabin to show whether or not they are on. I changed the temp setting now, though, so they kick in much sooner, and stay on longer. If it's HOT (20C... right) again tomorrow, I'll repeat the test. That said - these images and the heat came at 100-120km/h, and even 160km/h didn't change it at all - I firmly believe WIND would be enough to cool anything down.
I'll take my IR thermometer with me, tomorrow.
Was the new t-stat OE/Mercedes? Behr is the OEM for the "early" t-stat used through approx 1994. Wahler is OEM for the "late" t-stat used as of approx 1995. New / recent / correct 1.4 bar Reutter (OEM) radiator cap? System pressure tested and verified to hold pressure steady without dropping?
Yes, it was OE. Not sure which brand, though. Correct and new cap, and I believe it holds pressure properly, since the coolant level isn't dropping.
Make sure the upper radiator hose is hot all the way from the engine to the radiator, indicating proper coolant flow... also check if the lower radiator hose is at least warm (this is with the engine temp >100C). If you have a CoolHarness, verify that the aux fans trigger on high speed at the expected temperature... if you don't have one, trigger temp is 107C and it doesn't look like you're quite reaching that point yet.
That hose is VERY hot. I'll fiddle with the return hose, and your tip of the CH is a good one - I'll put it back in, and if they don't trigger when I see that high temp on my dash gauge, I know something else is amiss.
Roger, yes, they used an aggressive wheel cleaner, but I'd say the specialized wheelpaint should be able to cope with that.
BTW found for sale now, 450€ Roger
Rials? No way... Please don't tell me I paid €1000 too much?
Gerry, as I wrote before: I was cruising at 100-120km/h for a few minutes and that temperature level didn't drop - not even after shutting the AC off and waiting a minute or two! When I slammed my heater to max, it dropped like a brick to 85C, remained there shortly, and then went up to ~90-95C again - AND REMAINED THERE. Even with the heater OFF.
I'm going to test EVERY part I can next time with my IR thermometer - to be continued
P.S.: What's good to know is that I've not been able to run my AC reliably for a long time now. Maybe it was OK when I got it (or I didn't pay attention to the gauge

), but last summer I've hadn't had the AC on for longer periods of time.