Is my 602 vacuum pump likely of the newer design?
 

Much to my delight, I just discovered that the vacuum pump on my 92 300D was replaced under warranty in 1996 at 45,000 miles. And it does have the bolts visible on the face plate. I can't see well enough to make out the date stamp.

Does anyone know if a pump that MB replaced under warranty in 1996 is likely of the newer design that averts catastrophic failure? Please say yes.

Most likely. Only way to know is to remove it

You're as bad as I am, now you're fussing over stuff that isn't broken yet. :rolleyes: that's usually what I do until something really breaks then that keeps me busy for awhile. Hilarious.

You're exactly right....worry about one thing or another: something that IS broken or something that ISN'T! Thankfully, with my great cars, it's almost always the latter.

But you must fess up: you've contributed to my vacuum pump paranoia! ;)

Yeah, just a small push and you are off to the races. I guess if you are going to look into anything on these cars preventatively the vac pump is probably time well spent. It seems to be the one area you can destroy these so called bullet proof motors or at least spend an entire Saturday with a magnet searching in the side panel of the oil pan for 12 little ball bearing friends. Oh dear, now I'm having flashbacks :cursing:

That and the timing chain....but I'm not doing that either.

ACD-ism over V.P. as an Avocation.
 

Shertex,

The True "Afflicted" will R+R AND RePlace the Vacuum Pump @ 100K Miles.
(As a Prophylactic Enterprise.)

Your '92's "RePLacement" V.P. has 193 K Miles on it !!!!

The O.E. V.P.'s design and execution is an Invitation to FAILURE!!!

1.'Junk "Cast" Crap metal Housing and Fitments.
2.'Junk Semi-metallic "Ramps" device for powering the V.P.
3.'Even more "Junkiness" in the Sub-Standard Bushing holding the "Timer".
4.'Etc.,Etc.,Etc.

At almost 200K miles on a V.P. You're not Obsessing to think about RePlacement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're right! Now I'm really scared!! I think I'll replace the VP with every oil change....no, wait, that's overkill....with every ATF change. ;)

Inspection
 

AND R+R, IF necessary, is NOT over-reaction.