So, we got our college son a great 240d for $900 from a customer/friend.
He put 16K into it over 15 years or so with a local indy, we have
all the records. He was getting older and wanted to pass it along to
someone who could appreciate it and we were glad to oblige

All of a sudden the car was overheating and pegging at 130 blowing out a lot of coolant.
Didn't think water pump as it was replaced about a year ago. New behr radiator, too.

We drain, citric acid flush, tighten hoses, bench test the thermostat. Nothing.
Still overheating, thinking there's an air bubble in there.

Finally, with nothing left to try, we go for the water pump.
We pull out the pump and.....the impeller stays in the housing.
Pull the impeller out and what do I see sitting inside the engine?
A small bolt! Whoever put that water pump in there left a bolt inside and
it rattled around until it finally hit the impeller and knocked it loose.

A couple of weeks before the overheating I was driving the car, not too fast
and I heard a clunk and the engine suddenly stopped. I was able to coast into
a parking lot. Looked under the hood and couldn't see anything and the car
started right back up so I just drove home. Wasn't overheating then.
Took two more weeks--probably hit the impeller again and finally knocked
it loose. The close up photo shows the impression of the bolt threads
on the impeller. It was a German water pump from MB.

We checked for a blown head gasket and all is well.

I will be calling the shop to let them know they have a sloppy mechanic on staff.

Jeff

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1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

Wild. I had a rock in my cooling system. I wouldn't have known if it hadn't wedged open the thermostat and gotten stuck there. Nice when there's a crazy story with no permanent damage.

Nice photography, the pictures are excellent and convey the damage clearly.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

I don't see the bolt in the photo. If it is a short hex bolt (12 mm threads?) with reduced head which a 10 mm socket fits, it is likely one of the 4 which attach the clutch-fan to the water pump. But, the pulley is between them. It might have dropped in if the worker was holding bolts while removing the pulley. A competent guy would have first stored the bolts. I use a zip-lock bag, but a magnetic tray works too. Show the shop the bolt and I think you have a good case for free replacement. If not, Small Claims Court will get their attention.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

Not if they understand the concept known as "lack of privity."

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

But are you sure the bolt is from the water pump change? Any other repairs since then? Does this bolt match any other bolt related to a water pump change? Any fresh miss matched bolts related to the water pump change? Is it corroded or pretty clean? If corroded, it was in there a long time. The impeller break is fresh so there is no doubt as to what happened.

Did you pay for the WP change a year ago or was that the prior owner? This could matter for any sort of "warranty". What does the receipt say for warranty duration?

The point is that it will be difficult to prove one way or another so gather as much data as possible. The shop ( RE evil business ) always comes out the loser as courts side with the consumer if there is the slightest doubt.

The bolt isn't in the photo, just the mark of the threads on the impeller.
Bolt was corroded and rusty, hex head and about an inch long.
Looked like one of the bolts that holds the pump to housing.
We misplaced it after we finished.... so no photo.

This job was paid for by the previous owner and we are not going to try to
get compensation from the shop. We put in a good pump by HEPU, so the
cost was only $70 .....which included some quality father/son time

I'm just glad my son was watching the temp gauge. They were getting
ready for a long road trip and he was only a mile or so from home when
he saw the needle climbing fast.

Jeff

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1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

So...this might only be the first chapter in the saga of the misplaced bolt.

__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Ha! Let's hope we didn't leave it back in there, eh?

Since I didn't pay them anything, I'm sure I wouldn't have any case anyways.
The previous owner would have to take them to court.

Have you ever taken someone to small claims court? I have and, believe me,
when you do, the whole day is shot. I got my money but it was an all day experience.
Don't want to have to repeat that experience unless absolutely necessary.

Jeff

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1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

The corrosion would tend to indicate the bolt was in there much longer than a year.

Do you have records that the water pump was installed a year ago? The impeller is pretty corroded.

Water pump was put in Nov 2016.

Also, they had the green coolant in there which
we replaced with the correct Zerex G-05.

Jeff

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1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

I think MB has at least a one-year warranty on all of its parts. Just take it to a dealer with proof of the November 2016 purchase to see if they will honor the warranty.

Sorry, I didn't catch that the prior owner had the water pump changed. So, yes the shop owes you nothing. I wouldn't even mention it to them since you have no firm facts.

Yes, I have taken people to Small Claims, and yes it is not easy. Usually they are smart enough to change their attitude just from the threat. It only got to the court stage once, 6 months ago. It took a long time but a tree trimming company working for the power company ended up paying $1300 for damaging my trailer when they came un-announced then tried to sneak away.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans