M103 - Cylinder Head to Water Pump Hose Renewal
 

92 300E, M103... has a very short rubber coolant hose that connects the cylinder head to the water pump.

Can this hose be renewed without removing or loosening the water pump?

The air gap between the cylinder head outlet and the water pump is quite small and I'm uncertain as to whether a new hose could be sufficiently compressed/distorted to slide within this air gap.

Heat it up in really hot water. Wear gloves and you should be able to slide it in between the pump and head. This is an old trick we used to do on big Fords.

CnC -

Have you successfully used that technique before on a M103?

I'm ready to start and would hate for this to turn into a water pump removal project.

No. But last week while assembling my 103 I too a long look at that. I reused my old hose since it looked ok, but I know one day I'll have to change it. It's looks like you have room to get it on to me. I also figure that even if it doesn't go , I could trim some off the tube from the head, and it can be replaced if necessary.

Some more thoughts on this subject:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/28866-little-hose-could.html?highlight=vaseline

Thanks, guys. Just what I needed to know!

Couldn't slip the new hose on without damaging it....halfway on the new hose started to tear in multiple locations.

Had to remove about 1/4" of the cylinder head pipe and install another hose.

Did you use an original MB hose or aftermarket?
 

An aftermarket hose will not work, there are too rigid. The original MB hose is more flexible. :cool:

The trick is in getting it hot before you try installation!! The hose will become flexable when it's hot.

Used the MB hose (# 103 203 00 82) but was unable to heat it prior to installation, due to the location where the repairs were being performed.