Re: Ur-erratic coolant temp reading on MB

["Ian J Haseltine" <jim_haseltine@email.msn.com>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Jouko Haapanen <joukoh@vtoy.fi>


>I am getting some funny readings on my 88 (MB) Urquattro coolant temp
>(digital) gauge.  The temp will rise very quickly (couple of minutes city
>driving, 10 deg C ambient) to the middle ("N") of the gauge,
Thats about how long mine takes to get to 'N', approx 2 miles driving.

> and then all
>of a sudden rocket to "H" and start flashing.
Low coolant level warning.

>As soon as I start moving,
>the temp will drop from max. to N in about 5 seconds.  If I stop and rev
>the engine, it will go back up to H in a couple of seconds.  Hmmm...
Really sounds like low coolant.

>Yes, it has coolant, and yes it does circulate.  Top rad hose seems a
>little flaccid, and the  rad leaks a bit.
Sound like you haven't bled the radiator. It helps to park the car facing
slightly down hill when filling the expansion tank. On the top of the
radiator header tank ( at the end closest to the engine) there is a bolt
(13mm head) this is the bleed screw - be careful - it is brass and has a
very fine thread, ideal for some gorrila to strip or cross thread. Mine was
stripped by the recore firm. A new thermostat would probably be a good idea
too.

> New rad to be installed soon
>(along with a zillion other items worn after 375 000 km such as bomb,
>shocks, springs, brake discs (4), pads, headlights, foglights, windshield,
>rear view mirror glass (2), intake hoses (all), vacuum hoses (all).....).
What, no exhaust manifold? :-) Oh, the pleasures of owning an Ur-q.


Jim Haseltine