I have another question on this.

I have a coolant leak in the same area so I am presuming the water pump or water pump gasket is leaking. I pressure tested the cooling system and found a minor leak at one of the rad hoses. Tightened the clamp and the pressure test held. Next morning I found more coolant (but not a lot) on the ground. A closer inspection shows coolant on the block under the pump but I could not get any closer to discern the source of the leak. There is no noise from the pump so I am presuming a gasket leak.

My question is: Is this an immediate repair? Am I playing with fire by deferring the leak repair? The car has 120,000 miles on the original water pump. Should I go ahead with a new pump if I have to pull the pump to fix the leak?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Regards...

I would for sure replace the pump at 120k. No question about it.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

the leak is probably from the weep hole under the pump shaft.

__________________
Prost!

ohhh boy. I guess i need to join the club. my hands are black as night typing this post, but yeah, I jumped online to see what the deal was with this leak. looks like everything has to come out. no magic trick eh? just remove the entire front left area of the motor. great. well back to work.

This is on a 95 e320 wagon btw, in case anybody comes up with something.

On my 300E it was a year later and another 5000 km (3000 miles) I replaced the water pump (replaced at 205,000 km which is just over 120,000 miles). I watched it carefully but the leak became progressively worse and temperatures were running too erratically, too high, and too often.

The new pump works very well, temperatures are very stable and right on spec. Also replaced the belt tensioner so hopefully I'm good for a few years.

By the way, the Snap-On tool FLX-M13 to get at the virtually hidden bolts works very well. You have to put a lot of torque on it but it will turn the bolt. I bought mine on Ebay for $25 which was half the local retail price.

hope everything goes well,
Paul

Dont' forget to first ensure that it's not the hose taht is leaking. Also check the clamps first to see that it 's good. A while back I thought my pump was gone. While I was in the process of pulling out the pump, I found it was a failed clamp (it snapped) which allowed coolant to leak. Replace the clamp and it be fine since then.