190E 2.6 Water Pump

Okay... after 6 years and almost 36K miles, the input shaft bearing on the water pump is loose and started making a nasty noise. The pump is not leaking any coolant and rather than spend over $120 for a rebuilt pump which has a 1 year warranty, I'd rather get a new input bearing and have a machine shop replace it. Is there any source for something like the bearing itself?

Online PartsShop only $96.30 for rebuilt pump
(OE) 103 200 37 01 80 check with them...the far I know bearing is not available from MB.

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MB STARS Master Guild Technician,12 years MB tech
5 years independent shop owner

My advise is to just replace the water pump and not bother replacing the bearing. Chances are you'll end up with a pump with a shorter service life than just buying the new or reman. pump.

I have tried this in the past, and the way that it is put together, you will disturb the seal by replacing the the bearing. Get a new or rebuilt pump!!

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Thanks for the warnings... I agree that a new pump is best, but the price I've been quoted so far is over $300! I think that's obscene for any water pump, regardless of who made it. And I don't like the idea of a rebuilt pump. My 1992 190E 2.3 developed a leaky radiator (cheesey plastic end tanks) at 70K miles and then the water pump started leaking (bad seal only) at 75K miles. All I could get from the dealer was a rebuilt pump. The replacement looked like it was "rode hard and put up wet". Not a very professional rebuild job, it's not leaking yet... but only has 8K miles since replaced. It does make me wonder about MB quality when the original pump doesn't even last 36K miles. Looking at the pulley arrangement however it's clear that this is a very poor design. It's also possible that the dealer had the belt tension too tight. The car had some work done when new to fix an oil leak at the front cam cover. According to the dealer, the two dowel pins which hold the cover in place were missing from the factory. It still leaks a bit, so they didn't quite fix it either, but they had the belt off during the repair and may have tightened the tensioner too much during reassembly. In any case... I'll fun for the better part of a day replacing the pump and cleaning up the warranty service mess. Thanks again for the quick replies.

Regards, KM

There are at least 4 aftermarket "new" waterpumps brands avail. Also the "rebuilt" pump is an old casting with a new bearing assembly. I'm sure BENZMAC can help with new or rebuilt!!!

Thanks Doc....

I started tearing the car down today... but I'll be travelling most of next week so I do have some time before I need to have parts in hand. I really would like to get an original MB pump, but new not rebuilt.

The front cam cover has been "oozing" oil (a really slow leak) so I have a bit of a mess to clean up. While I'm into engine, I'll be doing a big service on the motor in general including the hydraulic system as the car has both the ASD and Rear Axle level control options. I'm also thinking about replacing the camshaft. I did get a new catalog from Impco recently that show the Shrick camshaft for the 2.6. I know it's only 10% at best, but it's another 12-15 HP (BTW Renntech wants a mere $1800 for their camshaft and offer 1 or 2 more HP than the Shrick which costs $550). Logic here anyone?

I'll be searching for water pumps which includes here as well. Thanks again for replying.

Regards, KM