A call for technical papers/informed-opinions for 110 motor heads and related experts.

Problem. 2.5 years ago I made a wholesale replacement of all cooling lines, gaskets, seals, and waterpump. These where all either MB or OEM. No "cheap" stuff. The only thing I did not replace were the 4 sealing rings used to seal the small bypass pipe (two at each end). This is the pipe that goes from the thermostat housing to the waterpump housing.

For other reasons, Yesterday, I was in that part of the engine and I noted the tailtell sign of coolant leak (that MB light orange color. It did it's job). Upon further investigation, the leak was so slow, and still moist in some areas I'm having a heck of a time telling where it occurred.

So, I've pulled it ALL apart and am going to replace the gaskets again, AND locate new sealing rings. Per a number of MB techs, I normally don't use gasket seal, but am sure tempted to use Permatex Aviation gasket seal this time. This is not a fun job as it requires the harmonic balancer to be pulled.

THoughts please... Gotchas, undocumented processes, etc

__________________
S, J.R. Brown
2000 G500 LWB Obsedian Black
2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Off Road Sport
1993 Volvo 240 Sedan Anthracite
1980 450SEL Champange (owned it for 15 years. Great car)
1986 280GE LWB Anthracite (Sold it and kinda wish I hadn't)

Update.

Just got off the phone with a trusted MB tech out of a dealership in PA (One of my old haunts).

I knew I goofed up when he asked if I renewed the bango fitting bolts and seal rings on the bypass pipe bewteen the waterpump housing and thermostat housing. They will change those (and they are darn cheap) because the seals are designed to be crushable and are not as reusable as the copper seals used elsewhere on the vehicle.

Lesson learned. Still going to change the water pump at 2.5 years old since I can't tell if it's the culprit (and they seem to only last about 5-6 years on average anyway).

Cheers all.

__________________
S, J.R. Brown
2000 G500 LWB Obsedian Black
2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Off Road Sport
1993 Volvo 240 Sedan Anthracite
1980 450SEL Champange (owned it for 15 years. Great car)
1986 280GE LWB Anthracite (Sold it and kinda wish I hadn't)