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fernweh
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Calabasas, CA - Centenario, BCS - Luebeck, Germany
Vehicle(s): Few Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Amphibious and a Vespa
| running a bit too hot!
We just got back from a trip to the Aquarium in Monterey, CA (sorry, Dai, not enough time to make it into Oregon...) and the G-wagen start running a bit too hot. Given the OAT was around 106 F between King City and Paso Robles, the temp gauge went up to 110C with a/c off and heater valve on. The engine (M103) was running smooth but my eyes were glued to the gauge. After a dinner pause we continued with our trip, now closer to the coast line with much cooler temps and the G run fine in the "normal temp range" 85 - 95C.
The truck has a new radiator, a fan clutch with 3000mi on and a 95C thermostat. I never heard the radiator fan (clutch) start to work harder with higher temps like my F-350 does.
Anybody knows when the fan clutch is suposed to "kick in"? Do I have the correct clutch installed? Could you please post a photo of your (300GE) fan clutch - for me to compare.
Thanks for your help and info
Karl
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: running a bit too hot!
fernweh - 7/19/2006 6:39 PM
The truck has a new radiator, a fan clutch with 3000mi on and a 95C thermostat.
Karl
Typo? 85°C is normal.
I think the fan clutch only comes on at low rpm's. At higher rpm's it relies on the car's speed to push air through the radiator. (Someone will certainly correct my "thinking", if it's wrong.)
Geländewagen und Freizeit recommends removal of the rubber gasket on the top of the firewall at the back of the hood. This enables better air circulation through the radiator and engine compartment for better cooling. |
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fernweh
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Calabasas, CA - Centenario, BCS - Luebeck, Germany
Vehicle(s): Few Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Amphibious and a Vespa
| RE: running a bit too hot!
DUTCH - 7/19/2006 3:54 PM
fernweh - 7/19/2006 6:39 PM
The truck has a new radiator, a fan clutch with 3000mi on and a 95C thermostat.
Karl
Typo? 85°C is normal.
I think the fan clutch only comes on at low rpm's. At higher rpm's it relies on the car's speed to push air through the radiator. (Someone will certainly correct my "thinking", if it's wrong. )
Geländewagen und Freizeit recommends removal of the rubber gasket on the top of the firewall at the back of the hood. This enables better air circulation through the radiator and engine compartment for better cooling.
No typo, I just replaced the 95C with the "old" 75C one - to see....
And just came back in - pulled the two rubber gaskets off, left the center one in to still seal off the "fresh air intake"
Thanks Dutch, I'll try it tomorrow - the temp dropped already to 99.9F in backyard - It's too cool now for a test drive - maybe to Baskin Robins... 
Karl |
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Adoni
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Vehicle(s): '00 G500, '15 C300 4Matic, '06 L322 G4
Posts: 1283
| Re: running a bit too hot!
I've noticed that all the posts so far, including my own concerning high temps in G-Wagens have come from the California and almost California area of Nevada. I'm beginning to think that nothing is really "wrong" with the vehicles per se, its just a product of the 102 to 110 degree temperatures we have been experiencing. How say everyone else? |
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MarcO
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Irvington, NY
Vehicle(s): G 500 SWB, Volvo XC90 V8
Posts: 835
| Re: running a bit too hot!
It was 102 in NYC in bumper to bumper traffic with AC running constantly and never any faster than 20 mph (mostly in Park - gotta love NY) for 90 minutes and the temp gauge did not budge low normal (do not remember the number but will look). It should be cooler if vehicle is moving even a little. Definitely heard electric fan cutting in and out. |
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gwagen460swb
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Vehicle(s): 280GE SWB, Toyota Highlander, BMW530i, RR HSE
Posts: 513
| Re: running a bit too hot!
It was 101 yesterday and 104 today with 80+ humidity in Little Rock. My temp gauge jumped a little past the halfway mark; but nothing to be too concerned about. |
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Braingears
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Vehicle(s): G320 & ML320
Posts: 1450
| Re: running a bit too hot!
How about the Aux fan? is it running properly? |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| RE: running a bit too hot!
I drove to Redding,CA last weekend to test roadworthiness in the heat in the mountains around Lake Shasta in 105-110 degrees. Nothing ever hit the red mark and just hovered midway between half and red pending speed and hill grade.
I now feel pretty confident if it can handle the heat of Shasta County, all will be well.
I, however, am now considering a manual switch for my auxiliary fan for fuel fillups and small jaunts to the market to get a slurpee, as that seems to be the when the G gets the hottest...naturally.
Mike |
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gwagen460swb
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Vehicle(s): 280GE SWB, Toyota Highlander, BMW530i, RR HSE
Posts: 513
| Re: running a bit too hot!
Okay; I just had the weirdest thing happen to me on my G. And the only way I knew how to resolve it is that I experienced the same thing last August the week before my wedding in my Land Rover.
I was driving back from work with the heat index of 111-112. This is the hotest and most humid day so far in the Little Rock area. My house is 13 miles from work. Of course stupid me, I did not have my manual auxillary fan on. The needle on the temp gauge was almost to the red. My plan was to stop at the house, check on the dog, and have a drink before going out to Wal-Mart. My G would not start.
Here is what I did step-by-step:
1. I went back in the house to sit down with the dog and have another drink (20 mins).
2. I SLOWLY unscrewed the radiator cap in case any anti-freeze wanted to do an Old Faithful (shoot out). A little did come out.
3. Cleaned the little mess I made.
4. Then I screwed the cap back on tightly.
5. Washed my hands.
6. The G cranked up. No problems. No overheating.
I went about my plans (to Wal-Mart). The G started up again. No overheating. Parked it in the garage. Stayed outside to see anything unusual. Nothing out of the ordinary. G starts up again. No problems.
Again, this is the same thing I did to my Land Rover last August. Does anyone have an explanation for this? |
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nadd
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: UAE, Dubai
Vehicle(s): G500 2016 LHD, numerous Chevys
Posts: 1285
| RE: running a bit too hot!
here's the foto you requested, hope it's helpful...(no aircon installed)
Edited by nadd 7/20/2006 7:05 PM
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20072006(002).jpg (70KB - 3 downloads)
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| re: won't start when really hot
The explanation may include vapor lock of the fuel system. The unscrewing of the cap just gave some time for the fuel system to cool down. The open hood would have sped up cooling dramatically. |
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gwagen460swb
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Vehicle(s): 280GE SWB, Toyota Highlander, BMW530i, RR HSE
Posts: 513
| Re: running a bit too hot!
No, I said radiator cap, not fuel cap. Obviously, I had to open the hood to access the radiator cap. So I should be okay; no problems. |
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fernweh
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Calabasas, CA - Centenario, BCS - Luebeck, Germany
Vehicle(s): Few Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Amphibious and a Vespa
| RE: running a bit too hot!
nadd - 7/20/2006 4:02 PM
here's the foto you requested, hope it's helpful...(no aircon installed)
Thanks for the picture,
It looks like the part you have between the pulley and the the clutch is missing on my 300GE.
The EPC also shows this part, I wonder if the mechanic then, installed some kind of aftermarket clutch......
Any idea at what temp the fan clutch starts to engage more? On my Ford diesel F350 truck, I really can hear the fan winding up when it gets hot but also seems to cool off rather quickly.
Karl
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dai
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oregon USA
Vehicle(s): 300GD 300TD BMW R100RS Landini 80F
Posts: 2110
| RE: running a bit too hot!
Next time!
I do not run a gas truck but I think the technology is similar. I think Dutch is correct, they are designed to spin at lower RPM and let go as you go faster. Mine is broken and spins and roars all the time which is OK in this heat. I have not noticed that these clutches engage as the temp rises. Our TD clutch did not come on today and if it was going to it would have. The Dodge Cummins does this but I haven't noticed these MB clutches reengaging in the heat. Anybody else have them come back on with hi temps? 
-Dai |
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gwagen460swb
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Vehicle(s): 280GE SWB, Toyota Highlander, BMW530i, RR HSE
Posts: 513
| Re: running a bit too hot!
Last night around 7:30 it was still 99 degrees. When my wife came back home from work and after dinner, we went out for a drive retracing the equivalent distance from my work to home, making a stop, and going out again.
We used the manual auxillary fan on and off, not constantly so as not to break it. The needle on the tempurature gauge was either midway or below.
Thanks a lot everyone for the fan tip! Greatly appreciate it! Karl, I hope your situation is resolved soon. I hope it will not be costly for you. |
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nadd
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: UAE, Dubai
Vehicle(s): G500 2016 LHD, numerous Chevys
Posts: 1285
| RE: running a bit too hot!
I never could figure out when the fan was operating or not, as I am used to engines with AC, and the AC fan is pretty easy to detect, otherwise I would go with the description of the more experienced people here.
Ps. The only purpose I know that part serves is if your fan clutch fails, then you can (after switching off the engine) bend the tabs inwards to engage full-time with the fan, as a temporary solution until you get home. That is described in the manual, page 111:
http://www.foro.pieldetoro.net/web/MERCEDES/detalle2.php?ID_FOTO=22...
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Braingears
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Vehicle(s): G320 & ML320
Posts: 1450
| Re: running a bit too hot!
I personally think that it is funny that everyone thinks that Florida is soo very hot in the summer time. I just looked at the forecast for the week and it will not get over 88*F (31*C) all week.
Just an observation... |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: running a bit too hot!
Braingears - 7/21/2006 8:57 AM
I personally think that it is funny that everyone thinks that Florida is soo very hot in the summer time. I just looked at the forecast for the week and it will not get over 88*F (31*C) all week.
Just an observation...
Obviously, a good time to make a business trip down there. It's been mid to upper 90's in Atlanta all week, and no change in sight.  |
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Braingears
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Vehicle(s): G320 & ML320
Posts: 1450
| Re: running a bit too hot!
We've been getting afternoon/evening rains that cool everything down again.
I've been driving my G-Wagon as my daily driver for about a month now. I simply enjoy driving it more than any of my other vehicles. I also like the fact that I am higher up and can see everything around me better.
I have noticed one thing though. When I drive through a large puddle, the wide tires on the G-Wagon tend to throw the water in front of the vehicle. It then splashes up and directly on the windshield. I have grown used to it and can predict when it happens. It could be a charactoristic of driving a G-Wagon with a lot of clearance, or the type of Nitto Terra Grappler tires that I am running. Either way, I still prefer to drive my G-Wagon. |
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fernweh
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Calabasas, CA - Centenario, BCS - Luebeck, Germany
Vehicle(s): Few Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Amphibious and a Vespa
| RE: running a bit too hot!
nadd - 7/21/2006 4:43 AM
I never could figure out when the fan was operating or not, as I am used to engines with AC, and the AC fan is pretty easy to detect, otherwise I would go with the description of the more experienced people here.
Ps. The only purpose I know that part serves is if your fan clutch fails, then you can (after switching off the engine ) bend the tabs inwards to engage full-time with the fan, as a temporary solution until you get home. That is described in the manual, page 111:
http://www.foro.pieldetoro.net/web/MERCEDES/detalle2.php?ID_FOTO=22...
:ahhh:
Thanks again for the good points, that part didn't get re-installed when the head gasket was replaced a couple years ago.
I found a reference to the viscofan clutch in an old M116 engine manual ( which might be completely different!)
>Starting at coolant temp of 105C the fan is now rotating up to an engine speed of approx. 3850 rpm, porportionate to engine speed, but not exceeding a fan speed of max. approx. 3000rpm under influence of transmission ratio of belt drive and slip in viscofan clutch. If engine speed is still further increasing, the fan clutch will disengage and the fan will rotate independent of the engine speed at 400-600rpm, but will not exceed a max. approx. fan speed of 600rpm even at max. speed of engine.<
>Checking temp and speed-controlled engagement:
Run engine at approx. 4500rpm until coolant temp of 100C +5C has been attained. Reduce engine speed to 3400 +100/-200rpm viscofan clutch should engage.
Checking speed-controlled disengagement (coolant temp>100C +5C)
Increase engine speed to 3850 +200/-100rpm viscofan clutch should disengage.
The visco fan clutch is disengaged at coolant temps below approx. 95C, <
Could this be similar to our G-wagen engines ?!? Anybody has seen a reference like this for the M103?
Karl
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