Hi all, my 1993 SL 500 was taking a while to warm up and never really reached the 80 degree mark.Everywhere you read about this job seems to start with removal of the fan. Well I just could not shift the 8mm allen bolt in the middle, tried locking the fan across the 4 bolts with a metal pin while I tried loosening the allen bolt but that just broke. However while I was looking at the job I figured it could be done without fan removal, in fact I didn't even remove the drive belt.
After draining the radiator and removing the elbow hose at the thermostat housing I used a 1/4 inch drive ratchet with a 2 and a half inch extension to remove all 3 bolts, I found it easier NOT to use a universal joint to get at the difficult bolt, and no need to remove the dipstick tube either. Put something over the top of the open water pump outlet to stop things dropping in.
I did renew the elbow hose along with the thermostat(all genuine parts)and found it easier to put the new one on without the jubilee clips in place. I opened the clips fully then put them on after the hose was on.Job done and car now reaches temperature, hope this helps someone who may be nervous of attempting it :smile
After draining the radiator and removing the elbow hose at the thermostat housing I used a 1/4 inch drive ratchet with a 2 and a half inch extension to remove all 3 bolts, I found it easier NOT to use a universal joint to get at the difficult bolt, and no need to remove the dipstick tube either. Put something over the top of the open water pump outlet to stop things dropping in.
I did renew the elbow hose along with the thermostat(all genuine parts)and found it easier to put the new one on without the jubilee clips in place. I opened the clips fully then put them on after the hose was on.Job done and car now reaches temperature, hope this helps someone who may be nervous of attempting it :smile