Well,, Fritz (1990 300E) got a bit hot yesterday. Was on way home from work and temp shot to max. Luckily there was a self car wash near. I pulled in and hosed the radiator down and checked the coolant. Of course it was low. I topped it off and went on home and began looking for leaks. All hoses were dry. Rad was not leaking, front of water pump (bearing) looked dry as a bone. However, coolant was pooling on the side of the block under the water pump. Could not see any coolant on the pump itself. Since it was getting dark, I gave it up. Question is, Is there a weep hole under the pump where the coolant may be escaping? Or could there be a gasket involved?

Yes there is a weep hole, but its very hard to see unless you're very good with a mirror. Try wiggling the water pump pulley, there should be very little if any movement.

And there is an O-ring, not a gasket between the pump and block

Thanks, Then I'm betting that the pump is gone. Nothing else is leaking in that area so its got to be the pump leaking. My parts guy wants $135.00 for the pump. But I will check FastLane first.

OkeyDokey, Put the pump on last night. I gotta tell ya, I've done tougher water pumps, but I really don't remember when. That was a BEAR! The upper right hand bolt position was designed by a sadist! I can see why MB wanted $700.00 to do it. I hope I never have to do another one.

I don't believe Mercedes would willfully engage in sadism - it was more likely designed by an idiot.

You better do a pressure check first. I had a 300ce that had a slow leak. It turned out to be a small hose under the intake that went bad.

Cheers,
Steve

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97 S500 Coupe 139Kmi.
92 300CE 150Kmi. Sold
89 F250 Diesel 220Kmi. Dead
98 GMC 1500 160K.

Book time for the water pump is 6 hours, I think, and it took me exactly six hours to do the one on the TE last year.

A swivel on a small socket set helps a lot!

Fortunately, they don't go bad that often.

Coolant dripping off the block about half way down is the water pump -- leaks out the bottom weep hole (top will be dry), runs down the pump, down the front of the block, and down along the oil pan seam until it runs off about half way down. It's fooled more than one owner!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Snap On part number FLX13 is a universal joint with a 1/4 inch shaft that will get to that bolt easily. Failing that use a swivel socket as Peter said, and wrap it with tape so it will stay straight enough to get on the bolt.

Good luck,

I successfully used a "wobble" 3/8" extension. These extensins allow the socket to wobble around when you attach them, and the movement was enough to remove the bolts on my water pump. No need to tape anything. I got it at Pepboys.

GregS