Water Pump

What is the procedure for changing the Water Pump on a 190e,4cyl , 2.3, 1993?. Are any special tools required?. Any brand of pump to be avoided?. All help appreciated.

[1991300SEL]

It has been my experience that there's only one water pump for an MB and that's the one sold at the dealer.

The last time I bought one for my MB(5 yrs. ago), the dealer got $100 + exchange. You have to return a pump with an MB Star on it for the core exchange, at least that's how it worked at my MB dealer. Some may offer more latitude with regard to the exchange unit.

After-market pumps and OEM quality pumps were all much higher than the dealer pump.

As far as "how-to", use the SEARCH facility. I don't know how much has been posted about 4 cyl. water pumps, but your engine is nothing more than 2/3's of an M103 engine and much has been said about them.

[mikeohart]

I second that motion to get the water pump from the dealer..at least check the prices. I've got your car and had to replace it @98K. A chicagoland dealer price was $70ish with core exchange. Not bad. I don't remember it being real hard but I do remember the bolts were different sizes, so my brother and I stuck them in a box (in a pattern) as they came out so we got them right going back in. Good luck.

[Phalcon51]

Is that $70 + core for a new pump or rebuilt? I just checked online and a pump for my '86 300E goes for $120 - $130 new. I haven't checked the dealer price yet. If the dealers are selling new ones why do they need the core?

[mikeohart]

Phalcon-
Sorry for the confusion. Of course the "new" dealer water pump must have been a rebuild, considering it was so cheap and they wanted the old one in exchange. But a rebuild from a dealer probably beats a new part from elsewhere, in my opinion.

Greetings:

I just successfully changed the water pump on my 190E 2.3, 1988. My pump was "growling" and it seemed to have bad bearings. Here is what I did. Take the fan off first. Then take the fan shroud and radiator off, noting which clips go where on the radiator. There are several hoses to remove, include trans cooler lines. Take off the fan pulley, and the fan clutch. Remove three bolts holding alternator support. Remove thermostat housing cover, thermostat, and lower thermostat housing. Remove water pump.

This was a good opportunity to clean out bugs and dirt from radiator, flush out coolant system, check thermostat (put it in boiling water to see if opens).

I did this with basic tools - 10mm, 12mm, 13mm sockets and wrenches. You'll need antifreez, perhaps some A/T fluid, o-ring for the thermostat housing, gasket for thermostat housing, gasket for water pump (gasket came with my pump)

Make a note of the order in which you removed the components so you repeat that order in reverse (this is where I went wrong!)

if you have any specific questions, send me an email.