Yesterday the wife was driving back from Houston in the CDI when she said the coolant light came on. When she called to tell me, I told her to just keep an eye on it. When she got about 60 miles from home when she stopped at a gas station and checked the level as the gauge had climbed to slightly above halfway which was not normal. After some more discussion, we decided it was best if I go get her and the CDI with my trailer, which I am glad I did.

Today, I opened it up and saw the serpentine belt was off as well as the water pump pulley was angled. I poured some water in the reservoir and it came right out the bottom of the water pump. When I finally got the pump removed and inspected it, I was amazed at the damage done. I am guessing the bearings in the pulley went bad so it became skewed, causing the belt to slide off. Additionally, the propeller blades dug into the block. The pulley screeched as I turned it in my hand with the blades rubbing on the metal, like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Pics of the scratched block and bad pump are below. I have a new parts coming Tuesday.

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2005 E320 CDI - Totaled