1999 E300 weird thermostat- where to get a replacement? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 08-22-2014, 10:59 AM

My friends 1999 E300 (OM606 TURBO) is in the body shop (operated by another friend) from a front end collision. Everything is done except the thermostat needed replacing (along with the water pump and everything in front of it). The dealer sent what was thought to be the proper Tstat, but it did not work. They sent out an expert , and 3 Tstats later, none of them work. I will go by there later and get some photos after they are open. Does anyone have an idea what is the proper Tstat for this engine? Has anyone else had this problem with their car?

jake12tech · #2 08-22-2014, 11:30 AM

I have no idea what they are sending you, because no I have not had this issue. The guys in the parts department are incompetent a majority of the time, so I'd like to question who this "expert" is also.

The proper thermostat is the 80C Behr.

You can look on Auto Haus for it for $15.00

ROLLGUY · #3 08-22-2014, 11:37 AM

The first one that was delivered was 602 200 00 15. It is different from the one that was in there, and will not work (so I was told). I will go there soon and take some photos and get some numbers so we can figure this out.

shertex · #4 08-22-2014, 11:53 AM

That's odd.....the 602 200 00 15 is the correct part.

Zulfiqar · #5 08-22-2014, 12:53 PM

on your model the factory part is different, its built into the outlet flange, the replacement requires a new flange like the older models had

Its the same 80C part that the 603 uses, the NA 606 uses the 85C tstat.

ROLLGUY · #6 08-22-2014, 12:59 PM

I just got back from the body shop, and found out that they got it handled (almost). The problem was a miscommunication about the cooling. They had the Tstat deal fixed the other day, but it is now overheating and they thought they still had the wrong stat. When I got there I took a photo of the old Tstat-

It seems that the dealer sent the proper Tstat for the newer housing that has the stat separate from the housing. He ordered a new housing and got everything back together-

The last communication was that they were still having problems with the cooling, and I thought that it was still because of the Tstat problem. Since the car is back together, they were having problems with it overheating. Since it has been sitting overnight, I looked in the coolant tank and found the level to be low. After adding about a gallon of water, it is up to the proper level now. It probably had an air bubble and that is why they thought the Tstat was not opening. I hope to hear back from them later on, and that all is well......Rich

ROLLGUY · #7 08-22-2014, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

on your model the factory part is different, its built into the outlet flange, the replacement requires a new flange like the older models had

Its the same 80C part that the 603 uses, the NA 606 uses the 85C tstat.

You beat me to it

It happens quite often that everyone else types faster than I do, and get to post sooner....Rich

Zulfiqar · #8 08-22-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I just got back from the body shop, and found out that they got it handled (almost). The problem was a miscommunication about the cooling. They had the Tstat deal fixed the other day, but it is now overheating and they thought they still had the wrong stat. When I got there I took a photo of the old Tstat-

It seems that the dealer sent the proper Tstat for the newer housing that has the stat separate from the housing. He ordered a new housing and got everything back together-

The last communication was that they were still having problems with the cooling, and I thought that it was still because of the Tstat problem. Since the car is back together, they were having problems with it overheating. Since it has been sitting overnight, I looked in the coolant tank and found the level to be low. After adding about a gallon of water, it is up to the proper level now. It probably had an air bubble and that is why they thought the Tstat was not opening. I hope to hear back from them later on, and that all is well......Rich

I have found that the easiest way to fill an OM606 engine with coolant is to back fill the engine from the top radiator hose then fill the remaining from the expansion tank. Otherwise the air lock becomes real nasty to remove.

shertex · #9 08-22-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

I have found that the easiest way to fill an OM606 engine with coolant is to back fill the engine from the top radiator hose then fill the remaining from the expansion tank. Otherwise the air lock becomes real nasty to remove.

Ditto. At first I assumed that, if I can fill a OM602 entirely through the expansion tank, it should be at least as easy on a OM606. Found that that's not the case.

ROLLGUY · #10 08-22-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

I have found that the easiest way to fill an OM606 engine with coolant is to back fill the engine from the top radiator hose then fill the remaining from the expansion tank. Otherwise the air lock becomes real nasty to remove.

Thanks, I will definitely do it that way.

nelbur · #11 08-22-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Ditto. At first I assumed that, if I can fill a OM602 entirely through the expansion tank, it should be at least as easy on a OM606. Found that that's not the case.

My '97 606 has an air bleed bolt just behind the upper radiator hose connection. A large headed hex bolt. It is not clear to me what blocks the air from running up the upper hose, but the bleed bolt works well for me.

shertex · #12 08-22-2014, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelbur

My '97 606 has an air bleed bolt just behind the upper radiator hose connection. A large headed hex bolt. It is not clear to me what blocks the air from running up the upper hose, but the bleed bolt works well for me.

Hmmm....don't seem to have that on my 98 or 99.

97 SL320 · #13 08-23-2014, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake12tech

I have no idea what they are sending you, because no I have not had this issue. The guys in the parts department are incompetent a majority of the time, so I'd like to question who this "expert" is also.

The proper thermostat is the 80C Behr.

You can look on Auto Haus for it for $15.00

So you are an "expert" on every MB ever made? Care to volunteer at a parts counter in an effort to help those that lack knowledge?

" The proper thermostat is the 80C Behr. "

What part number? The info above tells us near nothing.

The repair shop bears some minor responisibility as they are not aware of that what they are working on. In the end, this is just another one of those day to day problems when fixing machinery. Do some research, get the updated parts and move on, no big deal.

Parts people are at the mercy of the parts catalogs and they don't have the benefit of having a car or parts in front of them. They also won't be aware of every obscure difference for every sub model. The MB parts look up system is pretty weak compared to others where there are real line drawings rather than an often vague cartoon / paint by numbers / "the part is in this general area" description.

In short you have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to part counter workers and are actually slamming Peach Parts as well. I'd challange you to getting a job at say a lawn equipment, appliance parts counter or better yet, a brand of car that you have not worked on and see if you are able to pickup on every subtle parts difference.

Some may say what I have typed is a personal attack on the poster, it is actually defending parts counter people that have been attacked by the poster and are not here to defend themselves.