Author Topic: my cure to over heating w113 engine  (Read 1224 times)

laurie

  • Associate Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • Canada, Ontario, Peterborough
  • Posts: 12
my cure to over heating w113 engine
« on: August 02, 2024, 15:44:52 »
FYI. I've owned my 1966 230Sl since 1977, enjoying every moment both driving and working on it, she's up to 260,000miles.
While it is a 230SL, the engine was blown and a 280SE/SL was installed before I bought it.
Overheating while in heavy traffic or while idling has been a regular occurrence. Usually rising from 180F to 200Fplus.
I had the radiator rebuilt with extra coils, fitted a coolant bypass at the fire wall and an additional oil cooler along with a pair of 12" electric fans, all in an effort to control this problem. All having minimal effect.
I stumbled into an artical dated around 2016 or 17 and cannot find its, source, advocating the Thermal Time Switch, located behind #6 spark plug, be removed and a coolant line run from the threaded opening, tapping into the upper, return, radiator hose.
This I did, fitting an extension to accommodate the TTS.
Since this conversion, my over heating has been resolved, normal summer running, the temperature remains steady from 180 to 185 degrees. while in heavy traffic or just sitting idling, the temperature remains within that range. Many thanks to that unknown person.
Two pictures attached, questions/comments welcome. Sorry second picture detail of TTS is obscured by an after market auxiliary coolant pump fitted, that I will eventually remove.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2024, 20:18:28 by laurie »

zoegrlh

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, VA, Williamsburg
  • Posts: 771
  • Beauty from top BCW
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2024, 13:53:10 »
Where did you find the fitting for radiator hose?
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
W211, 2007 E320 Bluetec, Cashmere MB Tex 144 on Arctic White 650, 7 speed auto

laurie

  • Associate Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • Canada, Ontario, Peterborough
  • Posts: 12
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2024, 11:13:31 »
I run a 2001 Jaguar XJ8 and fortunately the hoses are of excellent quality, even when I replace them with new, I keep the old ones.
That's what I used for this modification, along with a hydraulic fitting to screw into the cylinder head.
We are experiencing 30 degrees plus with high humidity, here in southern Ontario and the car is funning great at very acceptable temperatures, both on the dash and with infra-red readings on the head and new return hose (BTW. I don't have a/c).

Bshaunessy

  • Full Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Canada, British Columbia, Invermere
  • Posts: 115
  • 1957 190 SL; 1970 280 SL; 1975 450 SL; 1971 300 SE
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2024, 15:15:14 »
LAURIE:
  An interesting overheating solution.  While I don’t fully understand the coolant routing within the block, I presume that by utilizing the TTS port to direct coolant back to radiator, you have effectively increased coolant flow through the block, thereby enhancing/improving cooling?
  Q? can you send a clearer picture showing how you mounted TTS in your new bypass plumbing Pls?  Also, I presume your TTS still functions as intended in its new location? ( still immersed in engine temperature coolant).

laurie

  • Associate Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • Canada, Ontario, Peterborough
  • Posts: 12
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2024, 17:24:04 »
I sent a response with pics. but don't see it posted?
Please advise.

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 6944
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2024, 19:11:41 »
I have an unopened box containing the factory "overheating kit" that was once created, probably by technical service bulletin. Someone sent it to me but since I have not had any overheating issues since a re-core, I have not even opened the box. Some kind of bypass system?

Anyone have any idea how these things may relate to one another?
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

GM

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, CA, San Pedro
  • Posts: 575
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2024, 22:34:02 »
I found this in my files
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

GM

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, CA, San Pedro
  • Posts: 575
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2024, 22:35:59 »
And this, with notes from Cees
« Last Edit: August 09, 2024, 22:45:26 by GM »
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

Cees Klumper

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, De Luz and Los Angeles
  • Posts: 5679
    • http://SL113.org
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2024, 03:54:08 »
Thanks for posting Gary. The credit for the comments should probably go to Joe Alexander, I would have just assembled them from the old Yahoo! W113 site before we migrated over to our own here, around 2002.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

WRe

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Germany, Hessen, Seeheim-Jugenheim
  • Posts: 1431
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2024, 05:33:27 »
Hi,
I have tested a lot (bypass, electric fan, new water pump and thermostat, ...) to protect my engine for overheating but the most effective solution was to increase the efficiency of the fan, means the nearest distance to the radiator (you can arrange the rad) and a shroud after descaling the cooling system.
...WRe

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 6944
Re: my cure to over heating w113 engine
« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2024, 15:46:27 »
I found this in my files

Interesting to note:

"...MODIFICATION KITS SHOULD ONLY BE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES WHERE THIS CONDITION HAS ACTUALLY OCCURED."

Interesting, this "Advanced Service/Product Information (Internal)" from MBNA also states, in the first introductory paragraph,

"...despite the presence of the supplementary electric fan."

Note it says "the" supplementary fan, not "a" supplementary fan.

Was there a prior document indicating the fitment of this supplementary fan? I know there have been posts over the years where people talked about figuring one out...
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid