I am going to replace my water pump on Thursday and I have been trying to read up on the process before I get started. I have 3 questions:

1) The instructions in the Haynes and factory service manuals say to remove the upper and lower pulleys. I have replaced the belts on this car but I have never taken off a pulley. Is there anything I should know before I get started?

2) The manuals also say that the balancer should be turned. What does this involve and how do I properly readjust it if I need to?


3) What sealant should I use on the gasket for the waterpump - is RTV ok?

Thanks for any help,
Sasha

__________________
82 Mercedes 300TD Turbo

Haynes is a terrible guide for things like that. Download the right guide HERE.

1: Remove the fan. Removing the 4 bolts that hold the fan also hold the pulley in place.
2: The balancer only needs to be positioned to remove the entire pump housing. The water pump itself just needs to be unbolted, mating surface cleaned and the new one installed.
3: NO sealant should ever be used. That's what the gasket is for.

1: I already have the fan off, so when I remove the belts, it should allow the pulley to come off, correct?

2: And I shouldn't have to take off the housing unless there is some sort of problem, right? When the pulley comes off, it should expose the pump?

3: Ok, no sealant, just clean mating surfaces.


I usually only use Haynes for the extra pictures since I am still learning the correct terminology for engines.

__________________
82 Mercedes 300TD Turbo

Yes, removing the belts will take the tension off the pulley. You may have to tap it a few times with a hammer, it's likely to be rust welded in place but it will still pop off.

The only time the housing should need to be removed is if its cracked or the gasket on to the engine is leaking.

The waterpump itself looks like this, the fan pulley sits directly on it's nose and the notch is to clear a housing bolt-

Cool - thank you for the help.

__________________
82 Mercedes 300TD Turbo