My '90 300SE air pump is failing and I am looking for a replacement. Can I rebuild existing pump?

Anyone know the best souce for a rebuilt?

Also can I unplug the clutch for a few days of highway and around town driving?


Regards... Paul Gavaza

You can actually unplug it indefinitely. The AIR pump only operates for the first 30 to 45 seconds until engine is properly warmed up and fuel being fully burned -- so harmful enviromental pollutants is limited. I don't think even the most environmentally sensitive on this board would throw a fuss. It is, however, illegal so act accordingly.

About rebuilding existing pump ... I'm pretty sure you'd get a core $$ return if you replaced it with a rebuilt one .. not sure how you'd rebuild it yourself. What problems are you having with it?

Check the 2 rubber elbow hoses that connect pump to head, for cracks/holes before you conclude the pump is bad. Sometimes oil will drip in this area and ruin a hose, leading to a muffled diesel-like sound which fools some that the actual pump is going/gone bad.

Good luck...

~Paul

_____________________
'91 300E, 213K miles

As far as DIYER experiences go, it seems to me that "someguyfrommaryland" has been down this road as much as anyone here. Check out the thread below.

It would appear that you can easily operate without it if you're not hampered by local environmental laws. If cars are tested for emissions in your area, I suppose you could be required to fix the darn thing.

It also appears that becuase of parts availability, etc., it's one of those items you're forced to buy new or rebuilt and from what I can tell, neither one is very cheap. My research in the SEARCH facility here indicates that bearing failures are about all that goes wrong in the ones used in M103 systems.

DIY Air Pump Rebuild Possible?