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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| 280ge thermostat options
I am looking to replace coolant in the next upcoming weeks and might as well secure a replacement thermostat in case testing shows present thermostat is bad.
In my research for thermostat options, I pulled up my vin on the EPC (1985 with a/c) and thermostat calls for an 87 degree part number A1102000515. I also pulled up another Gwagen vin which showed some type of tropical package and called for a thermostat of 71 degrees and part number A1102000915.
Will it be a problem to drop to a lower actuating t-stat and is it even recommended ?
thanks, Mike |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: 280ge thermostat options
the 71 degree Celsius thermostat will open earlier - an advantage in constantly warm climates. If you have even a few very cold months the 87 degree thermostat is better because it keeps the engine better in an optimal operating temperature. |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| RE: 280ge thermostat options
Thanks Harald, I was curious as to whether 3 months of cold and 3 months of hot justified a change, but sounds like the 71 is not ideal for that.
Mike |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: 280ge thermostat options
Mike,
depends on what distances you drive. If 90% of your driving is 100+ miles the 71 is OK in cold weather. If most of your driving is short distance stick with 87. |
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Adoni
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Vehicle(s): '00 G500, '15 C300 4Matic, '06 L322 G4
Posts: 1283
| Re: 280ge thermostat options
Aha, I think I know something now. When I bought my 280Ge, I noticed that it took alot of driving to get my temp guage to sit at the halfway point and as a result, it seemed that my heater never seemed to blow as warm as it should. Consequently, I had my mechanic check my thermostat and he told me it looked like the wrong thermostat was installed and wasn't allowing the motor to heat up to temp.. He installed the correct thermostat and voila the engine ran at optimal temperature and my heater worked great. However, this is when I started having issues with underhood temperatures forcing me to install an aftermarket solenoid. Since I've installed the aftermarket solenoid, Ive had no more starting issues. Harald knows the individual I bought my truck from and I think that both of us would agree that he is knowledgable and honest enough that not only would he have looked for a solution to such a starting problem, but also he would have informed me if such a problem existed. My guess is that the previous owner installed the 71C thermostat to combat the extreme temperatures of summer driving in LA as well as underhood temperatures and that during the summertime the 71C thermostat would have been ideal for LA and Sacramento, however, during the cold winter months, the thermostat would have taken alot of work for the engine block to get up to temp.. Tradeoffs, tradeoffs... |
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Titus Pullo
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Vehicle(s): '90 Wolf 240GD, '06 G270 CDI.
Posts: 1010
| RE: 280ge thermostat options
I replaced my t-stat 3 weeks or so ago. When I was searching for thermostat around a local part store also offered me a 82 deg. C. one which I found really good temperature for the trails but they don't have it on stock so I ended up buying the right one - 87 deg. from my local MB dealer. Surprisyngly the price was way lower than any other source. Rule #1 - always check the dealer first  |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| RE: 280ge thermostat options
A 30 mile commute for me might make the 71 doable. However, I do think it's funny that you can always tell what the weather is like for frequent forum members based on the cooling questions in the summer and the heating questions in the winter. I also find it kind of bizarre that a 280 would have any trouble generating heat in any weather.....I may be proven wrong this winter.
Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions regarding this topic.
Mike |
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Photoman
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 280GE, ML500, 280SE 3.5
| Re: 280ge thermostat options
I have a 71 installed in my 280. Previous owner had one in that made in run way way to hot. The gauge would sit around 3/4 and as soon as I stopped in traffic it would go into the red! He was told that the 280s run better hot. So I got it changed and now the gauge runs just over the 1/4 mark and will go up to half when off-road. Oh yes the heater works great even at 1/4 temp on the gauge. In the summer it gets to 35 dgrees C. The other day it was -7 degrees C and the 71 works well. I'll have to say though, I not shy of reving the 280  |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Engine Bay Heat
Adoni - 6/18/2007 7:02 PM
However, this is when I started having issues with underhood temperatures forcing me to install an aftermarket solenoid. .
Removal of the rubber gasket strips at the top of the firewall - where the hood seals to it - will alleviate a lot of your heat problems in the summer; and will help to keep your windshield clear in the winter. |
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w.james
Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: New Jersey
Vehicle(s): 84 280 GE 617A 5sp getrag
Posts: 239
| Re: 280ge thermostat options
Look for a 280 SE cir 1978 at a local parts store and it will give you the higher temp. I have been running this for 5 years without a problem |
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dai
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Oregon USA
Vehicle(s): 300GD 300TD BMW R100RS Landini 80F
Posts: 2110
| Re: 280ge thermostat options
The slightly higher temp will get the motor to temp faster and should then open. I would go for the 82 degree. A compromise position. Consider Zerex G4 coolant. It is MB approved and I think it is the same stuff as in the MB package. I like it a lot. It lives safely longer than the typical Prestone types.
-Dai |
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