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The 6.9 operating temperature thread

Started by raueda1, 04 June 2019, 11:58 AM

revilla

Quote from: TJ 450 on 06 June 2019, 07:51 AM
Yep, that's the warm up regulator. I'm not sure there were different versions as such, although you could set the control pressure on the lower side to allow it to run relatively rich at full operating temp.

Tim

That's the famous WUR.  A capricious piece to fine-tune... M110s have them too. It's designed, as Tim suggested, to enrich the mixture while the engine goes from cold to op temp.  It facilitates starts at cold temps together with the CSV.  However, it works on the temperature parameter only and not to compensate for the air density differences at altitude.  The vacuum line is to enrich under WOT operation only.

Quote from: rueda1 on 06 June 2019, 07:51 AM
Fuel pressures are all spot on.  I have no reason to believe that I'm running lean, but no reason not to either.  I don't really know how to check.  In any case, no pinging or knocking ever.

Understood, the 3 fuel pressures are to spec.  How about the mixture control on the FD (the 3mm hex screw "hidden" inside). Have you tuned your rich/lean condition using that screw after pressures were set to spec? Clockwise = richer Counterclockwise = leaner. I think if you set your mixture for the altitude you live at the engine should not run hotter due to high altitude.  I fully agree though that the cooling capacity is reduced at altitude due to thin air (less flowing mass) and this situation is worse on hot days where that air is even thinner.  However, that should be taken into consideration in the design of the radiator/pump as worse case scenario + a safety design factor (i.e. extra cooling capacity available but limited at the other end by the thermostat which doesn't allow to cool "too much").  As a quick practical test I would enrich the mixture using that 3mm hex screw (if not done yet!) and try the same run to see whether the op temp to goes lower.  True 105C seems high.  The (small) swings are normal though depending on up/downhill runs.

Cheers

raueda1

Quote
Quote from: rueda1 on 06 June 2019, 07:51 AM
Fuel pressures are all spot on.  I have no reason to believe that I'm running lean, but no reason not to either.  I don't really know how to check.  In any case, no pinging or knocking ever.

Understood, the 3 fuel pressures are to spec.  How about the mixture control on the FD (the 3mm hex screw "hidden" inside). Have you tuned your rich/lean condition using that screw after pressures were set to spec? Clockwise = richer Counterclockwise = leaner. I think if you set your mixture for the altitude you live at the engine should not run hotter due to high altitude.  I fully agree though that the cooling capacity is reduced at altitude due to thin air (less flowing mass) and this situation is worse on hot days where that air is even thinner.  However, that should be taken into consideration in the design of the radiator/pump as worse case scenario + a safety design factor (i.e. extra cooling capacity available but limited at the other end by the thermostat which doesn't allow to cool "too much").  As a quick practical test I would enrich the mixture using that 3mm hex screw (if not done yet!) and try the same run to see whether the op temp to goes lower.  True 105C seems high.  The (small) swings are normal though depending on up/downhill runs.

Cheers
I've played with the mixture control screw a little, but not in a systematic way.  I was always afraid to mess it up and so ended up leaving it where it was.  But, given some of the other oddities I've discovered with the car, I don't have much confidence that "where it was" is where it ought to be.  Just ordered fan clutch.  I'll take it for another spin after replacement and see what it does and reestablish my baseline.  After that will come a more systematic approach to the mixture.  Stay tuned.....  :)
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

daantjie

Brings to mind this movie - "Breakdown", actually worth a watch ;D


Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

raueda1

Quote from: daantjie on 06 June 2019, 12:05 PM
Brings to mind this movie - "Breakdown", actually worth a watch ;D
LOL, just read a sysnopsis.  Love Kurt Russel.  Sounds great, will watch it tonight!
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

daantjie

Quote from: raueda1 on 06 June 2019, 12:30 PM
Quote from: daantjie on 06 June 2019, 12:05 PM
Brings to mind this movie - "Breakdown", actually worth a watch ;D
LOL, just read a sysnopsis.  Love Kurt Russel.  Sounds great, will watch it tonight!

Pretty watchable in a 90's sort of way ;)
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

raueda1

Quote from: daantjie on 06 June 2019, 01:01 PM
Quote from: raueda1 on 06 June 2019, 12:30 PM
Quote from: daantjie on 06 June 2019, 12:05 PM
Brings to mind this movie - "Breakdown", actually worth a watch ;D
LOL, just read a sysnopsis.  Love Kurt Russel.  Sounds great, will watch it tonight!

Pretty watchable in a 90's sort of way ;)
Yes!  Watched it last night.  Quite entertaining.  The classic red rocks, mesas, buttes etc were in southern Utah.  ALL the movies with that stuff is in Southern Utah.   And that is my high speed 6.9 proving ground.  Nothing beats triple digit speeds through that country on state roads and nobody within 50 miles.  It's like a crazy dream.  But.....    You can count on not having phone coverage.  If something happens you're screwed.  That always makes it a bit more exciting, so I really don't want to overheat.   ;D
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

raueda1

Quote from: rumb on 04 June 2019, 01:13 PM
Have you installed a new fan clutch? Anything over 20 years old probably doesnt work correctly.

>>>snip<<<
You are, as usual, 1000% correct.  New fan clutch just arrived (Behr).  It was immediately obvious that the old unit is toast, or something very close to toast.  It doesn't freewheel and there is some resistance to spinning.  But compared to the new unit, not much.  The new one is MUCH stiffer. I'll report on the difference before changing thermostat so the effect of the clutch isn't clouded by other changes.
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

raueda1

Just got back from a test drive after replacing fan clutch and thermostat.  The results:


  • Temperature quickly went to 80°C from cold start.  This just took a couple minutes.  Air temp is ~30°C.
  • First, a brief local drive to make sure nothing was leaking. I took it on the highway.  Temp went up a little to 87°C and held steady.
  • Next, a tougher test:  a quick highway blast up a 5 mile grade going from 1700m to 2300m at about 85mph with A/C running.  Temp went up to about 90-92°C and held steady.  Going back downhill temp went to a steady 87°C.
So, the car comes up to temp faster, it isn't running as hot and temperature is more stable.  Which is all exactly as it should be.  Problem solved, case closed.  Thanks to all for the illuminating comments.
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

revilla

Excellent news Rueda. Thanks for reporting back.
Question, how did you measure the temperature car running with such precision? Was it with IR? My instrument panel gauge doesn't allow that type of precision. It has a non-linear scale Off-40-X-80-Y-120-Red.  In all logic, X=60 Y=100. Am i right to assume that?
So when I reported my results of 102Deg for example the needle was a bit above the 100 line and 87Deg more or less between the 80 and 100 lines which I assumed to be 87 as the thermostat is new, etc.
What's your experience?
Thanks

raueda1

Quote from: revilla on 30 June 2019, 04:03 AM
Excellent news Rueda. Thanks for reporting back.
Question, how did you measure the temperature car running with such precision? Was it with IR? My instrument panel gauge doesn't allow that type of precision. It has a non-linear scale Off-40-X-80-Y-120-Red.  In all logic, X=60 Y=100. Am i right to assume that?
So when I reported my results of 102Deg for example the needle was a bit above the 100 line and 87Deg more or less between the 80 and 100 lines which I assumed to be 87 as the thermostat is new, etc.
What's your experience?
Thanks
I'm assuming the same as you.  The scale is pretty linear from 80 to 120.  The dash mark is therefore 100.  It's easy to see where 90 would be, just exactly in the middle.  To my eye the gauge needle is about 2 degrees wide.  So, I think it's pretty easy to get within a couple degrees assuming the gauge is right.  I used a temp gun to measure under the hood temp.
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0