I have a 1985 Euro 280TE and need to replace the thermostat. But the hydraulic suspension pump is mounted on the front of the valve/cam cover with maybe an 1/8" clearance between it and the thermostat housing. Their are no visible bolts other than 3 socket head bolts which appear to hold the pump together, but could pass all the way thru the pump into the valve cover to secure the pump.

The blank plate on the valve cover in front of the other cam is secured by 3 bolts in the same position as the ones on the pump. But I do not want to risk removing the 3 bolts on the pump and have the surprise of the pump coming apart on me and springs, etc. flying everywhere.

Does anyone out there know how or have experience removing the pump. If those 3 bolts do not hold the pump on, the only thing I can figure is possibly it is attached by bolts from the rear and accessed by removing the cam cover, but would rather get some insight before going discovering.

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1985 280TE Euro

Well, I figured it out myself and since I did not receive an answer from anyone, I will answer the question for others future reference.

The pump has 6 bolts, 3 hold the pump together and 3 go thru into the cam cover. Look at the blanking plate in front of the other cam to determine which are thru bolts.

And also importantly, there is no need to remove the pump to change the thermostat on a 280TE. There is just the barest clearance between the thermostat housing & the pump and it is (in MB fashion) just enough room to do the job without removing the pump.

Don't let the fact no one answered dissuade you from asking other questions. Also, thanks for posting what you did find out...info like that always helps.

Sometimes new threads get buried fairly quickly, especially on heavy traffic days. I can say I don't ever recall seeing your question...of course if I had I wouldn't have been of any help...and I read this board daily. It is also possible that none who had seen your post knew the answer to your question. This board is a great learning experience for almost all of us.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

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