190 thermstat to block hose

[kanadary]

first of all thanks for all the great messages about changing the t-stat and coolant. i didn't know that the valvoline product was the same as the MB one. question, i have a 87 190E-2.6 and would like to replace that small hose between the block and the bottom of the t-stat housing. what is involved in this? do i need to unscrew the housing to the block to get at it. its just preventative maintenance for me since the hose has never been changed out. thanks Ken

[Mike Murrell]

I read here once about someone smearing the hose with vasoline then wrestling it on. I wouldn't go that route. Others say they've trimmed the length in order to get it on. I figure it was designed with a specific length for a reason.

That small $2 hose will require removal of the H2O pump in order to change it out. The archives are full of how-to's on the M103 water pump.

Good luck.