20 mins into my 2 hour drive from PA to MD, actually going the speed limit, look at the gauge, a little hot, look back again 15 seconds later, a little hotter, look back 5 seconds later and I can actually watch the needle rising, I shut it off when it was a little over 100 and coasted to a stop...

I took a mental evaluation, well it cant be the belt because the alternator light didn't come on... please be a burst hose. Pop the hood and GAT DANG theres coolant absolutely pouring out the bottom weep hole on the water pump. The weep hole had been dry when I changed the coolant to MBZ last week and no coolant on the driveway ever.... the seal just completely failed.

While I'm waiting for the tow truck, I hit everything with penetrating oil, bust out the tools, loosen the belt, remove the fan, pulley and shroud, 30 mins later the tow truck arrives.

Get back to my folks house, pay the towtruck driver $65. Try to remove water pump... GAT DANG, the DSPO used SILICON on the WP. I couldnt bust it loose with a hammer and 2x4, so I finally drove a chisel between the water pump and water pump housing, and that finally broke it loose.

Take it to my parts guy, pay $94 for the new one including tax. OUCH!

Remove all traces of the dreaded silicon and polish the face of the water pump housing. Install WP and everything else, refill radiator, fire it up and start my 2 hour drive once again.

She runs a little cooler during the trip, pop the hood when I arrive and its dry as a bone under there.

Total cost- $159, 2 busted knuckles and 4.5 hrs of my life, a bargain actually to drive such a fine automobile.

Cheers,
Robert

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Cheers,
Robert