What's a maximum operating temp

[karmannghia60]

Hi,
Not sure what is a reasonable maximum operating temp for a '69 280SL? The car is in Melbourne Australia so in summer, air temp car reach up to 90+ F.
Thanks
Raf

[Kenneth Gear]

Not sure about maximum safe temerature, but I belive 180 degrees is what it should be at during normal conditions.  In hot weather and stop and go traffic my car easily gets up to the the next white mark on the temp gauge above 180-- any higher than than and I get nervous and shut it down.

There are plenty of old posts on this subject so I'd do a search.

[Benz Dr.]

230 degrees and you'll probably warp the head. I've had my 190SL up to 210 many times and nothing happened although I won't use it for parades any more which is the same as stop and go traffic.
You can safely go to 100C and not hurt anything.

Daniel G Caron

[n/a]

Raf

I also live in Melbourne, the maximum temp I have had in my car ( 67 250SL) on a 28C degree day is 180. I use my car as  a commuter and often sit in traffic in and around the city.  So a fairly good indication of how hot the car  should run.  As far as our 30 + C days . I would be careful  as the other posts say and only run it if it does not get above that  180 level too much.

Dan

quote:Originally posted by karmannghia60

Hi,
Not sure what is a reasonable maximum operating temp for a '69 280SL? The car is in Melbourne Australia so in summer, air temp car reach up to 90+ F.
Thanks
Raf