Has anyone replaced a water pump on their ML yet?

I'm wondering how long the original pumps last and the degree of difficultly to change one.

Just wondering if in the last year, someone has had to replace their water pump.

A couple of days ago my ML started making a peculiar noise on start-up. Seemed to increase with a little throttle and then went away. Hard to describe the noise...kinda' like a whistling and rubber squeal....I believe my water pump bearing might be on the way out. Can't believe I only got 230,000 miles out of original........

Anyway, I'm keeping an eye (an ear!) on it and if not to difficult, plan on changing it myself. Anybody with ML water pump replacement advice ?

Thanks.......

The ML water pump is easy compared to most MB's, takes about 1.5-2 hrs.
Will require inverted torx sockets!

JUST a waterpump! can fail at any time, have replaced many under warranty!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I just did mine earlier this year. My 98ML only got 65k miles darn it. You lucky %#&@%#@&. Replace it at your earliest convenience, mine was grinding into the timing cover (see my earlier postings with picture). I observed that the coolant got darker and darker and saw fine metal shavings in the expansion tank. That's got me worry and prompted me to replace the water pump asap. Sure enough, after I opened it up, the water pump impeller inside was grinding the timing cover.

__________________
98 ML320 (gone but not forgotten)