Mystery hose.........

HHHHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!

Can someone please tell me the what, why, where, etc. of a hose that I have no idea about but is the source of leakage in my cooling system. The hose is approximately 1/4 - 3/8 inside diameter and about 5/8 - 3/4 inch outside diameter. It exits the engine from what appears to be behind the alternater, don't know exactly origin, possibly water pump area or some other part of the cooling system. Does a leak out of this hose mean too much pressure is building up in my cooling system and/or a bad water pump and thus the source of my constant overheating problem.

1993 190E 2.3

[yal]

If this is the hose that goes down after it exits the water pump in a funny "S" shape, then I think you should know that my dealer diagnosed this as leaking on my 2.3, but what actually was happening was the water pump was leaking sending the fluid down the outside of this pipe making it look like the pipe was leaking. The engine heat would dry up the antifreeze around the pump so it looked clean there.

Your water pump could be the problem. My car did heat up fast with the bad water pump. But try and clean the pipe and see if you can detect a hole in it. How about placing a rag around the pipe to help in the detection. BE CAREFUL OF THE FAN!!!!

Hope this helps......

Yal, thanks for the reply, however, I don't think it is the "S" shaped hose, it doesn't appear as though it comes directly off the water pump unless it is at the back of the water pump and the insertion/exit point is not visible from a visual inspection through the hood area. It is a small diameter hose, and a slow leak, but fast enough where I have to keep putting fluid in and keeping an eye on things. I am leaning towards my water pump being bad, with the over heating problem and other problematic quirks after a new top end job/blown head gasket. Thanks.

[rudy]

rick, ...I have a strong feeling that your water pump seal goes south. That's the only source of coolant leak in that area. Loosing a lot of liquid indicates a defective water pump .... have it replace.

Thanks Rudy, I have a strong feeling it is the water pump also, especially after 185,000 miles and never been replaced, guess I should feel lucky it lasted that far.
I know what I will be doing this weekend..........

Which is the better waterpump, the one by Graf or the one by Laso? Or any other manufacturers out there that produce a quality product?

Quality and longevity are the issues, not price. Thanks./

[rudy]

rick, ..try flushing out your cooling system too. Use a degreaser and citric acic flush just to ensure that the system is free from contamination and other solid particles that could damage your new pump seals. Ensure that upon completion,....use a 50/50 coolant/water mix and bleed the system good. Also, ..I strongly recommend that you replace your T-stat with 80 degree set point,..your system should be up to par. Hope this helps....