'88 300SEL - needing first major repair - (water pump)

[86560SEL]

Since we (was my car, now moms car) have owned this car (1988 300SEL - M103 engine) since 2007, it finally needs its first major repair - the water pump. It has slowly been starting to fail and now starting to leak.

My mechanic said it is about a 5 hour job labor wise and will do it for around $250, plus price of water pump. I have found pumps within the range of $99.00 to $549.00. I am leaning more toward the $99.00 pump.

This is just an older car, far from a show car and we are wanting to just make it last a couple more years. With that said with the water pump removed and that far into the engine, should anything else be replaced while in there? It had 156k when I bought it and the odometer stopped about a month later when I reset the trip odometer when driving. I estimate that the car has about 200,000 miles on it now. It does have a slight leak from the front of the engine that it has had since I bought it in 2007. I am guessing it is the timing chain cover gasket that is leaking? Could this be easily accessed with the pump removed?

Should the timing chain (and/or guides/rails/tensioner, etc) be replaced while in there as well?

Thanks!

[rob m]

I would do the small hose from water pump to block. I don't think it can be replaced without removing the pump. I would also do upper and lower radiator hoses and thermostat. Be careful of upper hose connection to radiator. If there is not a metal sleeve inside the plastic connection to the radiator it means it is an old radiator. They tend to crack there. Also new serpentine belt and check belt tensioner. They have to come out so if they are old replace them with new. I think I got my water pump from dealer and it was not 500. I don't remember but I think 200+. Make sure you use mb antifreeze. It doesn't mix with others

[Hit Man X]

Stick with Graf or Laso, the $99 unit is probably Uro garbage. You would be a fool to use that brand.



I agree with 'rob m' on the other items. Also a radiator is cheap enough and they only last about 8-12 years tops.

The chain/guides is a non issue on the M103. If you have a valve cover or upper timing cover leak, you can address that while in there. Check all the breather hoses too.

[PARSHOOT1]

...rob m and Hit Man X, especially to stay away from the $99 water pump. Who was the manufacturer?

And as far as timing chain, guides, rails, etc., now you're talking the potential for a 4 digit repair job and you're saying to yourself, I love this car and am going to keep it a long time. Ask me how I know sometime.