Does anyone know the Lifespan of a Mercedes diesel water pump? Has anyone ever had to replace one?
I have the front of my 87 300D engine apart to do the Chain, and I'm wondering if I should change the pump now too...with my luck, it will be 5 degrees outside on the Turnpike one night when it does go..
I'm getting superstitious about fixing or restoring a Car too good..after I did my 83 240D upholstery, I lost it in a wreck 3 weeks later...
For the record I changed the pump on a 300D 85 at 250K once, but in retrospect it may have been that small piece of hose about 4 inches tall thats wasnt sealing right..........

I don't know the exact lifespan of a MB water pump, but I have changed one on my wifes 300TD once. All I'll say is this. Since you've already changed one on another car & you know what all is involved to get to it, do you really want to tear into everything again? I'd think I'd be inclined to go ahead and change it. When i did mine I went ahead and changed all the belts too.

I can relate to your supperstition of not wanting to restore a car to good. About 20 years ago my brother lost a '67 Chevelle in a wreack the day before he was to take it in for paint & body work.

It's your call.
C

Whatever you decide, go straight to MB and buy from them. Believe me, it is cheaper and better than any aftermarket brand.

The aftemarket brand tends to run hotter and is probably twice the price.

Dwayne

I would say that the average lifespan for MB diesel water pumps is around 100 Kmiles.

Eric

The 60x water pumps are known for their longevity. I think I replaced the original at 279Kmi only because a deer hit it. If the car sits for a long time, I woudl also change it.

If you are interested in changing yours, I have a brand new one from the dealer. Email me for info.

Thanks,

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Brian Toscano

I believe it's generally a bit over 100k. The pump is relatively inexpensive (at least on a 616/617), assuming you take advantage of the core credit. The trick is, the core has to be a genuine MB pump (look for the little MB star). No star = no core credit.

I pretty much routinely change the water pump first thing when I get a new used car, always using OEM parts. That way I never get stuck on the side of the road with a bad water pump (except for my old 82 Chevy that would eat water pumps every 30k).

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

If I have only learned one thing about Mercedes while working on my car it is that OEM Mercedes parts are better! they are usually worth the extra money.

My water pump is original as far as I know 236k miles and no leaks and the bearings are tight. Water pumps don't just fail they usually give you a lot of warning.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Boy, you said a mouthful there! It's like having an engine compartment full of cats.

I've had one start leaking at about 85k and another start leaking just over 100k. If I had everything off the front end and the pump had over 65k or so, I'd change it. Not that hard to do. New belts make sense to me too.

Wes

Keep in mind Carrameow asked about '87 300D (60x) water pumps which are different that the earlier 61x water pumps.

Regards,

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Brian Toscano

my first encounter of a defect water pump was driving into San Francisco. Signs: dramatic vacuum loss, power brakes gone etc. In most cases, however, the vacuum pump can be repaired by taking it apart and changing the rubber parts out, they tend to wear out first. A simple kit is available at www.************************, anyway, a simple garage did this for me in San Franicsco. At about 200k miles, it went out again, the brake booster was pulling oil, This time, the pump got replaced completely

md21722 is right on the money - the OM60X pumps seem to last forever while the OM61X pumps need to be replaced every 100-150K.

I have over 250K miles of direct ownership experience on OM602 engines and I know at least 5 other owners of OM603 cars - I've I've never replaced a water pump or even heard of one failing.

I'm not exactly sure what MB did when the designed these pumps series - but they did get this one right.

Tim

Ahhem



(water/vacuum)

Just replaced the *original* water pump on my 606 engine with 335,000 miles on it. It was not *needing* replacement, but since I already have the head off, and everything is accessible – I figured why not…It’s served its purpose long enough to warrant a replacement. (Plus I don’t want to take any chances of frying my freshly-headed motor).

My 617 has 234,000+ miles on it, and I did replace that water pump around 200,000 miles or so, but it was probably already on pump #2.

The V-8 gas guzzlers (116 & 117 series, including the aluminum 117’s) seem to last about 70,000 – 80,000 or so.

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Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.