The run for the Mercedes-Benz CLS C219 lasted from 2004 until 2010 and introduced car enthusiasts to a new player in the executive size sedan market. At first, the C219 was designed and marketed as a four-door coupe, and the small engine selection leaned towards the higher end of the power range. Some C219 owners experience problems with their radiator fan.
The radiator fan is one of the components that makes sure that the engine does not overheat during use. It runs often while the car is running, even at an idle, but most non-Mercedes fans will stop running when the car is shut down. However, a common trait among C219s is that the fan will run for a while even after the car has stopped. It is also not entirely uncommon for the excessive fan use to coincide with the smell of burning rubber. Some owners report that the fan comes on only intermittently after use, and that it usually happens after long trips or during cold weather.
While it could just be the normal functioning of the car, it might also be the result of a number of more significant issues. For instance, the AC compressor could have frozen up, or the Harmonic balancer could be broken. More seriously, it could be the crankshaft position sensor or even an uneven suspension system. All of these issues could result in the frequent running of the fan, and many of them will also be accompanied by the smell of burning rubber. However, the burning smell might also be the natural smell of the engine being blown around by the radiator fan.
Obviously this is not a simple problem to remedy and it could be the direct result of any number of factors. For the safety of you and your passengers, we strongly recommend that you schedule an appointment with an independent German import repair garage, letting the professionals tell you for sure whether or not there is anything to worry about.
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