190e 2.6 Water hose

[pete911]

I recently was given my mom's 1989 190e 2.6. I'm going through the car to make sure it will be reliable. I noticed that the small hose (approx 2" long) that goes from the thermostat housing to the cylinder head is in bad condition. It looks like it's about to let go in fact. Is this easy to change? The thermostat housing looks like it won't move, and the cylinder head certainly won't. If I remove the old hose is it possible to slip a new one in, or does the thermostat housing/waterpump need to be removed?

Thanks

Pete

[Duke2.6]

I recall reports that a new hose can be slipped on if you lube it up real well with silicone spray lube. The old hose will probably have to be cut off, which puts you beyond the point of no return.

Hopefully, someone who has done this can confirm and give you additional guidance.

Duke

[pete911]

That is exactly my question. I don't want to cut the hose out, then find out I need to spend 8 hours R & R ing the waterpump to get the new hose on. Hopefully someone in the know will answer

Pete

[Paulwho]

Pete911,
The space between the cyl head tube and the water pump tube can be very tight. Of course it is worthy of a try but prepare for water pump removal. Side note, had a home tech put that hose on his engine but it missed badly after the repair. Home tech had sawed the tube a little shorter to ease installation. Too bad he sawed a slit in the #1 intake manifold runner. Please be careful.

[pete911]

Thanks for the reply Paul. If I have to remove the water pump how long can I figure that job to take.

Pete

[Mike Murrell]

Water pump removal on your 103 motor has been discussed many times here. Some believe you need a special $50 tool from Snap-On. Others have done it w/o the tool.

I would say if your auto repair experience is limited to oil changes, etc., this task might best be left to someone else.

[Jim Anderson]

If you're trying to make the car more reliable go ahead and put a new water pump in, and a new belt and hoses and thermostat while you're there. There's also an upgrade to a metal thermostat housing from a plastic one.