Hmm, ok then, whereabouts is the thermostat located? I can probably
find that much in the manual, but here's my bigger question:
What's the proper procedure for filling/bleeding the coolant system?
I'm not used to the radiator cap being on the overflow bottle, and it
doesn't seem like trying to add coolant there (other than occasional
topping off) works too well. I believe last time I disconnected the
upper radiator hose to fill. Is this what you're supposed to do?
Thanks!
Levi
Marshall Booth wrote:
Levi Smith wrote:
I was wondering if someone who lives in a colder area could confirm for
me whether or not something around the vintage of my 83' 300D should
maintain temps even in winter?
I.e. as I recall last summer I saw temps staying around 80-100C which I
thought was about right.
The last week or so I've been driving my 300D and the outside temps are
around 20-40F. I can usually get it up to around 60C (is that the line
between 40 and 80? Or is that line only like 50C?), I never saw it
actually make it to 80, but it gets close if there's enough uphill
driving. It's definitely effected by how much heater usage and how much
flat vs. hilly terrain there is.
Also worthwhile to note that I have a greasecar kit installed, so I do
have another 15-20' of heater line, heating a 15 gallon tank of oil, and
there's probably a 6' length of those lines that runs directly under the
car out in the open, so I would imagine this all works effectively as a
second radiator to some degree.
I'm just wondering whether the 300D's are just more thermally efficient
and don't always reach their operating temp during the winter (I'm
assuming the operating temp is at or slightly above 80C?), or if this is
likely indicative that I have an open or missing thermostat? (Or if the
300D is just "on-the-edge" of generating enough heat in the winter to
maintain operating temps and my greasecar kit is sucking away enough
heat to keep it from reaching them?)
Until temps get below zero (F) the thermostat should promote engine temp
to reach 80+ deg C within a few minutes of driving and temps should
remain within the 80-100 deg. C. window. If temps DON'T do that, tyhen
the first thing that needs attention is the thermostat. The purpose of
the thermostat is to PREVENT cooling until the temp reaches 80 degrees
(or a tad more). If it's stuck open, cooling starts too soon and may
never reach the optimal level in city driving or unless the engine is
almost fully loaded.
Suboptimal temps result in increased engine wear and excessive fuel
consumption.
Marshall
