1994 W124 Going Up Genting!!

[Guest nemo]

Hey Guys, i know this is a seeetupid question... but anybody drive your W124 up Genting b4?? Is it alright?? Can the car take it??

Another question, what temperature does your car usually run, mine is always slightly lesser then the quater mark... ( the line between the 80- 120 ) but i notice when i lut my car and high rev it the temp will move to the line is it normal? It moves to the quater line and stay there.

[keltanky]

nemo wrote:

Hey Guys, i know this is a seeetupid question... but anybody drive your W124 up Genting b4?? Is it alright?? Can the car take it??

Another question, what temperature does your car usually run, mine is always slightly lesser then the quater mark... ( the line between the 80- 120 ) but i notice when i lut my car and high rev it the temp will move to the line is it normal? It moves to the quater line and stay there.

its ok to go up genting, just make sure all points check, ok liao! i had drive up Cameron highlands also!

next aiming is Bejaya hills/Bukit Tinggi - heard there got TIME ATTACK lor! :bounce:

[Guest nemo]

Wah got time attack somemore!! Power!! Kekekeekekek!!

Yah i will be doing a servicing b4 going up just nice.

But may i ask about the temperature thingy is it alright??

[g8crasher]

nemo wrote:

Hey Guys, i know this is a seeetupid question... but anybody drive your W124 up Genting b4?? Is it alright?? Can the car take it??

Another question, what temperature does your car usually run, mine is always slightly lesser then the quater mark... ( the line between the 80- 120 ) but i notice when i lut my car and high rev it the temp will move to the line is it normal? It moves to the quater line and stay there.

Under normal operating conditions, it should rest slightly above 80 and peak to around just under 100 on full load with your airconditioner turned on.

I would be concerned if op temp exceeds 100.

[Guest RTCS]

It's ok, I've gone up and down with 1989 W124 many times. Provided you do all the usual maintenance.

Ensure to use ENGINE BRAKE!

Once I felt like lost my braking when coming downhill. Had to stop at side and pondering what next. Quite soon another fellow M'sian plated W124 passed by. He said it's normal as the brake fluid has overheated. Just waited for about 10 mins and the brake came back!

This was confirmed by my mechanic.

[Guest nemo]

RTCS wrote:

It's ok, I've gone up and down with 1989 W124 many times. Provided you do all the usual maintenance.

Ensure to use ENGINE BRAKE!

Once I felt like lost my braking when coming downhill. Had to stop at side and pondering what next. Quite soon another fellow M'sian plated W124 passed by. He said it's normal as the brake fluid has overheated. Just waited for about 10 mins and the brake came back!

This was confirmed by my mechanic.

U mean u 2nd gear on the way down to use lesser brake so wont overheat oki i will take note thanks!!

So may wat gear u use most of the time when going up?? 2nd or Third?

[Guest nemo]

g8crasher wrote:

Under normal operating conditions, it should rest slightly above 80 and peak to around just under 100 on full load with your airconditioner turned on.

I would be concerned if op temp exceeds 100.

Oh oki so far i lut and drive harder it stays at the 100 Mark . Nv went beyond so i guess i am safe . Thanks U.

Anyways i will be sending for servicing b4 i go up so I must make sure my mech chk properly . Thanks.

[Guest benzw124]

Hey Bro Nemo,

Dont mean to scare you but if your car stays at 100 most of the time then i dont think its okay actually. Not sure if its the same for M111 engines, but I have a W124 but with an M102 engine and it has always stayed at 80 flat even with air con turned on and idling away in the hot sun at a traffic jam. When you 'lut' your car for long distances, the temp should go down actually and not go up as the engine fan speed corresponds to the engine rpm meaning that it will spin faster when you rev your car, hence providing more cooling power. Maybe you could do a radiator flush (very easy DIY job) and add in either Redline Water Wetter or Royal Purple Ice as part of the coolant additive to help with the cooling. While 100 is still not in the dangerous head gasket killing zone, its still not good for the car in the long run.

Also another thing to check is that your auxilary fan (the electric one in front of the radiator) is working. It comes on after your engine has heated up and only when your air con is turned on. Your should be able to hear it come on at aorund 80-90 degrees bringing your car temp back down to 80 and then cutting off again. Another way is to flip your bonnet open and check the fan after your journey.

I dont think your engine fan is spoilt but just for your info, the engine fan (the one connected to the engine drive belt) runs off either a viscous or electro magnetic clutch that engages once the engine has warmed up. To check whether it is working, start the car and let it get up to operating temperatures. You should be able to see it spinning really fast once it engages. After which, turn off your engine and the fan should stop immediately once the engine stops (you might need another pair of eyes for this). If the fan still continues spinning for abit, it means that the clutch has lost its 'holding powers' and the fan is unable to spin as fast as the engine revolutions.

The cooling system for the W124 can be tricky to solve as they involve many components unlike mordern day cars with just one gigantic electric fan and a thermostat. Should any of the components not work properly, the car will not be at its optimum temperature. if you need any more help feel free to ask.

Do not put your hands or fingers near either of the fans when the engine is running. They can cause serious injury! So you have been warned!

[Guest RTCS]

When going uphill, you may have to turn off aircon like me with 5 guys inside! As the gradient gets steeper, you will feel power is inappropriate and that's where you'll need to drop the gear.

Yes for safety sake, MUST use engine brake! Use 2nd gear initially will reduce overheating of brakes and oil. You won't miss the road sign, obey it. "Gunakan Gear Rendah"!

Overall it's gonna be an enjoyable ride. Cheers.

[Guest alumetal]

No prob for w124 8v up Genting.

ONLY thing is coming down.........remember to use 2nd gear all the way ...eng brake.

Tinker : use DOT 4 brake fluid + Bendix King Plus front brake pad.

[Guest alexng]

Hi Bro Nemo,

1.) There's two type of temperature sensor that Merc used when importing W124,

- 1st is fan sensor will activate fans to operate when temp reach 100 Degree C.

- 2nd is fan sensor activate fans when temp reach 80 Degree C.

I believe yours are the 1st type, but no worry because it can be easily changed and cost is only around 100++. and your car will stay on or below 80 Degree C.

2.) tips to drive up genting is do not pump full petrol when you're going up. The pressure will be form in petrol tank, you'll feel the car cannot run smoothly due to petrol forming gas bubble and causes petrol are not able deliver to engine consistently. pump half tank will do, there's 1 Esso kiosk up there.

3.) new brake pad is very very important for your down hill. usually mechanic will advice you to use soft pad (local OEM) with hard metal disc brake (German OEM). this gives you better friction but soft brake pad can be easily worm out and not your disc.

Hope these helps & Happy holiday,

Alex

[Guest nemo]

HEY GUYS!!!!!! THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT ADVICE!!

I am back from my trip to GENTING!!!!

Safe and Sound!!!!

Really very nice car to drive along the NS high way!!!

As for the temperature stuff i tried to take note while driving. I was averaging 130km on the highway and temp is always slightly above the 80 mark(rough estimate 85??) When i slow down and stop for petrol while idling b4 i turn off engine the temp goes up to near 100 (slightly lower)

Going up was fun!! I was really slow cause not familiar plus 4 adults in the car but car temp was around 90 range cause i was pushing it up mountain( actually saw a car by the side overheat smoke coming out lucky not me kekekek).

Coming down was nice and cool, i was slow too did not really use much brakes but more engine brake plus i try to not let car gain too much momentum so i can use less brakes. But i notice due to the cold cold weather plus stepping alot less gas on the way down the first half of the mountain my temp was like 70 or less. Damn funny.

All went well and thanks guys again for all the advice!!

[Guest RTCS]

YO, glad you had a good time! Perhaps make some bucks even after offset your expenses.

130km/hr? No white ants?

Don't worry lah, your temperature experience is normal. Do change temp sensor as mentioned by Alex. I can attest it too.