Just purchased an E320 wagon that has 198,000 miles. I had to have the transmission rebuilt before I could drive it as the reverse was out. Aside from that seems like everything works well, window switches, climate control, front end and suspension in general seems tight and car feels like it did get good care from the previous owner. What I am concerned about is that the temp gauge reads about 50-55 degrees C which seems way too cool. I have not stuck a thermometer in the coolant to verify temp but planning to do that soon. Oil pressure after road trip was at or above 2 bars. So far, very happy with the car. The owner had it priced at 1500 with bad transmission. after sitting for 8 months I got it for 650, trans rebuild was 1700 including new trans mount and center driveshaft bearing replacement. Any information on this temp issue as well as any other advice would be aprreciated. I am replacing a 1984 300td wagon, tired of diesel and wanted something newer.

Douglas C Gruesbeck

 

Thermostats fail in the open position. It sounds like your thermostat failed and needs to be replaced.

 

New thermostat and still registering temp about 55 degrees celsius. Any other ideas?

 

How is the heat in the interior? Hot enough? It may be that the temp indicator on the dash isn't accurate. This may be a problem with the dash gauge or the sensor at the engine may have a problem (faulty or needs cleaning from debris buildup).

 

The interior temp is comfortable, whatever the temp setting it seems to have no trouble keeping it warm enough. I checked the temp sensor connection, there is no crud built up there. Which is more likely the culprit, the dash gauge or the temp sensor? My old 84 300TD read high which always worried me. Changed thermostats til finally a different sensor seemed to solve the problem.

 

I suspect it could be the temp sensor. I've seen them rust through on other old cars.

 

where are those semnsors located on a 1999?

 

My '94 E32 wagon, which my mom bought new, has always indicated a very cool temp on the dash guage. I too replaced a thermostat, needlessly. It's just the way these cars are.

Could be that they really run that cool, but I doubt it--I suspect that it's just in the nature of the guage Mercedes used that it indicates too cool. I don't think it has anything to do with faulty sensor, rust, etc., it's just the way those guages are.