Please Help: 190 2.6 Overheating &...

[michael1969]

I have a 92 190e 2.6. It has the same problem so many others are talking about. It is overheating at low speed and idle. I have taken the thermostat out to no avail. I believe the fan turns too slow. Perhaps the air at higher rmps is all that keeps it cool? I dont want to start blindly replacing parts, so any advice would help. Also, I want to put radiator flush in. There is only the cap at the overflow container so Im not sure how to perform this.
Thanks for any help! You can reply to michael_e_coleman@yahoo.com also

[skiier3_9]

When is the last time you changed the coolant? How does the coolant look? That engine has a history of head gasket failure causing cooling system failure - does your coolant look like a chocolate milkshake??

You can verify that the thermistat is opening/closing by taking it out and putting it into a pot of hot/boiling water - it should open, then when you take it out it should close.

I would first drain the rad./block - flush with water until you get clean water coming out. Then fill it all back up with the correct ratio of MB Coolant/Water (Use the MB Coolant or Zerex - not just any antifreeze)

Then, verify that all of the cooling fans are working properly. The two aux. fans should come on at ~90C, make sure that the main engine fan is engaging.

[Duke2.6]

The viscous fan clutch should tighten at about 100C and the electric(s) engage at about 105C, not 90.

Idle and low speed cooling problems are nearly always caused by fan operation problems.

Put the thermostat back in. That's not the problem.

Duke

[92-2.6]

This sounds obvious, but with the ac condensor, and fans up front it's impossible to make sure the cooling fins are clear of debris. I wound up taking the radiator out of my car and hit it with a hard stream from the hose. You would not believe the amount of crap that was in there. The car is much cooler at idle now.

You might try to just blast it out from the front using the high pressure spray wand at a DIY carwash.