i have a 1989 300TE wagon with the M103 engine in it and I have a small leak at the connecting pipe from the head to the water pump.

Can fully remove this pipe with the water pump still attached?

If not can I pull it out as much as possible and apply the Loctite 270 (part number 002 989 93 71 10)?

Also are there nicer clamps that I can purchase for the hose connecting the pipe and the water pump? This is not a big deal but I can't stand the cheap screw style that are on there.

Have you tried tightening the clamps?
I don't know what style clamps would suit you, Mercedes used the worm screw clamps from the factory. Maybe someone put some cheesey non original clamps on it, but the original design used worm gear.
You should also look to make sure it's not the thermostat cover or heater hose O Ring that's actually leaking.
I've heard of guys replacing just the hose without taking off the pump. Remember to get the MB hose though, it's not just a straight piece of hise, it is stepped.
Gilly

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Gilly,
thanks for the reply......I should have made the issue a bit more clear. The clamps that were put on were some cheap crap and I do not like it.....They are however doing the job.

My issue is that the leak is coming from where the pipe goes into the head, I do not know if the proper sealant was used or if it is because the pipe is not in great shape.

but the problem is that water is leaking out from the pipe at the cylinder head.

sorry, my meds have me loopy.

are we talking of the small length pipe about 2" connecting to the side of the head.
someone on the forum mentioned replacing that pipe with the pump in-situ , seems a daunting job unless the pump is removed.
replace the clamps with worm types as suggested ,may solve the problem
mak

If the pipe is in bad shape on the head, you can remove the hose, then wire brush the pipe, then fill it in with epoxy and file it smooth, I have seen these pipes get very pitted. If the problem is the pipe on the water pump, I'd replace the pump.
Gilly

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Yeah it is the 2" pipe on the head side.......and the thing that is killing me is that I put a new water pump on along with viscous fan clutch, timing chain, tensioner, had the head off to have new seals, guides, and valve job done, an a bunch of other little things done that needed attention.

I got the head back from the shop with the pipe in it just like I gave it to them and I am betting that it did not get sealed and tapped in proper. I was so careful to go over everything and double check during and after installing everything and somehow that little pipe was missed.

It would be unusual for a machine shop to get involved with that pipe. I am not even sure it can be removed. If you asked maybe they would have tryed to do the same thing I said, wire brush, epoxy, sand smooth. That is assuming it's badly pitted. I think that's the only way you'll get a leak in that area.

OH and the good factory style clamps, the shop I worked at got them through WURTH, look the same, narrower band and has the notches the worm gear acts on instead of the slots.

edit just looked it up, found a pic from a New Zealand Wurth site. The trade name Wurth uses is "Zebra", but genericaly they are called "solid band hose clamps". You may need to do a search to find someone who stock Wurth products or order online? Here's the link:
http://www.wurth.co.nz/site/media/pictures/catalogue/section_4/A_04_0019_-_0020.pdf

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If you have one nearby, West Marine also sells the solid band clamps [brand name is 'Awab'] and a flexible shaft nutdriver that helps with awkward angles.

Gilly, I found what I was thinking of, although it is a different site (I cannot find the original one I was thinking off) it is from the service manual and that you can take it out and replace it. http://www.w124-zone.com/downloads/MB CD/W124/w124CD1/Program/Engine/103/20-2110.pdf

I found a spare clamp and swapped it out with the one that was on there and it looks like it has stopped leaking.

I put a new bulb in my shop lamp and took a closer look and it seems that there was a small jet of water at the back of the rubber hose that was spraying across the tube and made it appear that the water was leaking out of where the metal tube was inserted into the head. I hope that was an ok explanation.


Gilly and dlevitt thanks for the info on the clamps and also the info on the flexible shaft nut driver, It sounds petty but I really dislike messing with clamps.

I was reading the R&R of that metal pipe- if you had the water pump out.. I bet you can replace it.


M