1. I only know the temp from the gauge or the point and shoot. Where does one plug in an after market temp gauge? I was looking at some rad caps with temp gauges in them are they any good?
2 Yes I opened the heater turned the fan up and ran it just like Eric the car guy.
3 Never considered that pipe getting plugged. I was thinking heater core. I had to use a bit o RTV to make it seal when I redid the timing belt and installed the new pump.
4. I didn't actually pay attention to how long it held after I shut down. but after 10 minutes of it not cooling down and dropping pressure fast enough for me I hosed the rad down so I could remove the pressure tester and it still spouted a bit when I broke the seal after I got it down to 5psi.
5. Cool
6. coming from Rock Auto.
7. I put n the shroud last year. New metal MB stock part. $$$ I happen to have an extra top half they sent me two??
8. The fan has slight resistance. It is plastic with metal and I felt the spring on front. It is always spinning when I lift the hood with it running. I have never seen it not spin with the motor running.
9. Only the fan clutch moves. I've not pulled off the hoses to look at the water punp yet. All signs say it is working the water really started moving fast across the top of the rad once I removed the thermostat to put in the flush.

Question- If I fill the heater from one of the hoses that come out the firwall will the liquid come out the other hose if the valve is open?