Need W210 (1996 E320) water pump replacement instructions

[aTOMic]

Hi,
I am hearing the familiar squeekity squeak of a dying water pump and have detected some coolant leakage from the oil pan area (did not have time to track it down more exactly this AM) and so I think I have need to replace the water pump. Questions:

1.) is there a potential weak spot I should check on the engine that could be producing this leak? I can't tell if the water pump is actually leaking or not.

2.) What else should I replace / check while I have the coolant drained?

3.) If anyone could provide instructions (yes I DID search this site) I would be very grateful.

Thanks!
-Tom

[aTOMic]

I'd like to purchase the parts necessary to do this repair from The Parts Bin or Mercedesshop.com, but I need instructions. Please help. When there is a CDROM for this car, I'd buy that, too!

thanks,
Tom

[Stan Pittman]

If it's leaking coolant from the drivers side of the oil pan you can almost bet it's the water pump leaking. Get out your long 6MM allen sockets with the ball ends and go to work.

[J.HIDALGO]

Change the thermostat while you are at it.

[ctaylor738]

Do the fan bearing and housing while you're in there if you have a few extra bucks.

[aTOMic]

What is the fan bearing and housing? Is it G5009-66107 "Fan Clutch Bearing Brkt"?
Thanks for all the help... any additional info would be appreciated.
-Tom

[ctaylor738]

I believe that this is the part. On my 300E it was about $180 list from the dealer because it was Saturday morning. It contains the bearing for the fan and bolts to the front of the block. I am not sure about the 320 but it is a common problem area on the 300.

You may in fact find that it is the source of your noise. I thought mine was the water pump and turned out to be the fan.

[aTOMic]

I am going to take it apart today, still could use some info specific to this engine! (Torque specs, pitfalls, what else to replace besides the thermostat). I'm not sure about replacing the fan bearing bracket!! My car is quite a bit newer than ctaylor's 300E; does this part still need preventative replacement on the 1996 engine (mine has 100k miles)? I think I'll replace the lower radiator hose; I noticed it vibrates around quite a bit while the engine is running.

-Tom

[aTOMic]

Yikes! That one front 6mm socket head screw (bolt?) is a ***** to get out but other than that, I am happy I tackled this job, saving $500 labor! I didn't replace the fan bracket, but the engine is Q U I E T now! It took me a total of eight hours, though, being very careful and cleaning everything meticulously as I went along!

To answer my own questions, torque 'em as tight as you can since it's a cast iron block and you can hardly swing a wrench enough to overtighten anything.
replace the short hose (head to radiator) and thermostat and lower & upper radiator hoses and serpentine belt.

The belt is easy to get off, it's US style, you simply get a socket on the tensioner and twist as though you're tightening and it'll swing enough to loosen the belt. be sure to get the right lenght belt, if two are listed but only one is available don't ass-U-me its the correct one. (ok I'm not perfect).

Thanks for nothin'. I guess I'm the first one to change the H2O pump on a W210. If anyone needs further expert advice, I'm taking calls at my leisure.

-Tom

[Stan Pittman]

Thanks for nothin?