I replaced the radiator yesterday, and noticed that there was some play in the water pump. When I jiggled the base of the fan blades, there was noticable play, like when your wheel bearings are loose - vertical play, not rotational play.

I'm not noticing any leaking through the weephole though. BUT, I have a very noticable and audible vibration from about 1500 - 2000 revs while driving or standing still. I've tried to locate the source of the noise but it is not apparent.

To try solve the vibration, I have put in new inj. Nozzles (balanced), adjusted the valves, checked the timing chain stretch (that's how I had to replace the radiator - I forgot I left the wrench on the crankshaft and started the car up and it made a hole in the radiator. LOVELY!)

But still there is this vibration. It sounds like something is loose, like a rattling metal bracket or something, but I can't find anything loose.

Could it be the waterpump bearings rattling? I can post a sound file if anyone would recognise a rattling water pump. I'm reluctant to replace the waterpump without being sure it needs it - I had all my radiator fun last night til about 10pm, thanks very much. Stupid aftermarket crap - oil cooler bracket didn't fit right, and the dam thing doesn't have drain holes. Geez.

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1983 240D Silver/Blue "Sadie", unknown miles. 100k miles on WVO single tank, converted to 2 tank about 10k miles ago, FPHE, Injector Heaters, Aux Fuel pump. Alcohol/Water injection. Frantz oil bypass filter
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Green/Tan "Jade" 267K miles Stock.
1992 300D 2.5 tan/tan "Rocky" on 2 tank WVO. Pressure actuated Turbo "rat's nest" surgery completed. 197k miles

Is the play in the fan coupleing or the water pump/housing? I'm assuming your are talking about you w123.

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1989 300E 144K

Could the play be in the fan clutch? A worn clutch can cause the described condition.

My bad, I thought everybody had a W123 cos they're the coolest cars....

W123 doesn't have a clutch (at least not this 83 240D)

There didn't seem to be any way for there to be play in the housing - the fan seems to bolt directly onto the pump - and it was on tight, so it must have been from the pump.

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1983 240D Silver/Blue "Sadie", unknown miles. 100k miles on WVO single tank, converted to 2 tank about 10k miles ago, FPHE, Injector Heaters, Aux Fuel pump. Alcohol/Water injection. Frantz oil bypass filter
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Green/Tan "Jade" 267K miles Stock.
1992 300D 2.5 tan/tan "Rocky" on 2 tank WVO. Pressure actuated Turbo "rat's nest" surgery completed. 197k miles

Make a very short drive with the belt removed. See if the noise goes away.

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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

The "coolest" W123's do have fan clutches!!!