coolant leaking posting from iPhone. Need help asap - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chinny4290 · #1 10-11-2008, 05:58 PM

Hey guys I need some help, I'm currently driving at the moment and I'm leaking from the water pump. The car is a 1975 280s w116.
What are my options and do those leak stopping cooling additives actually work, need help asap.

The temp gauge does not exbit any overheating at the moment though coolant is definitly leaking and I refilled it with water. In addition the engine does not get very hot. Just replaced all drive belts last week.

DJet Tragic · #2 10-11-2008, 07:39 PM

Can you loosen the new belts off a small bit - to take pressure off the water pump seal & bearings?

Todd Miller · #3 10-11-2008, 07:44 PM

Leave the radiator cap loose so the system doesn't build up pressure and keep an eye on the coolant level about every 30min.........and get 'er home!

chinny4290 · #4 10-11-2008, 08:38 PM

Ok, I made it back to school, so I'm safely at my second home (college).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJet Tragic

Can you loosen the new belts off a small bit - to take pressure off the water pump seal & bearings?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Miller

Leave the radiator cap loose so the system doesn't build up pressure and keep an eye on the coolant level about every 30min.........and get 'er home!

Didn't see these in time.

But no, I dont' have the tools and the ability to loosen the belts. The water pump and alternator belt are loose enough because there's a horrible belt squeal from the engine between 1500 and 3500 RPM. And when I got them replaced, my mbz mech said that it wasn't a good idea putting new belts on an old water pump, and I see why now. I said do it anyway so kinda my stupidity (I didn't know though).

Ok so here's waht happened. I look in front of the car where i parked in front of my friend's house before leaving and saw that the coolant was leaking. I added water because I opened up the radiator and didn't see anything on the surface. I started the car and then it all started leaking from the front of the engine, and I checked the belt diagrams I had on hand and saw that the water pump was above the crankshaft, so I naturally thought the water pump. The leaks aren't a flow, but it was between 1-3 drops per second to 2 seconds, so it's coming out.

I drove the car for about 30 miles when I posted this and had a jug of coolant in hand. I had to get back to school so I can be somewhere safe, as well as my friends with me. The temp gauge didn't go one bit over 175 deg F. I assumed the car leaked overnight because when I arrived at my friend's house, when I first smelled coolant a bit. So this morning, before finding out about the leak, I drove the car for about 20 miles and no indicator of a bad cooling system showed up, no overheating, unusually high temp guage, nada. So I don't know what sup.

I do know the obvious, I need a new water pump. And anyone have any good DIY and/or a general idea as to how hard it is and how long it will take? And any other suggestions are extremely appreciated. On top of replacing the actual pump, should I do the housing as well or no?

As of now, tomorrow, I have to drive the car back home about 55 miles. Any temp fixes that people have for me?

Todd Miller · #5 10-12-2008, 02:52 AM

There are no temporary fixes, but you need to quit driving the car before you have a complete failure of the waterpump and wind up damaging the engine due to over heating.

The water pump is what your radiator fan attaches too, so take a look at it, and figure out if it's something you want to replace, or want your mechanic to replace. My hunch is; if you lack the skill to install the belts, then you won't be able to R&R the water pump.

chinny4290 · #6 10-12-2008, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Miller

There are no temporary fixes, but you need to quit driving the car before you have a complete failure of the waterpump and wind up damaging the engine due to over heating.

The water pump is what your radiator fan attaches too, so take a look at it, and figure out if it's something you want to replace, or want your mechanic to replace. My hunch is; if you lack the skill to install the belts, then you won't be able to R&R the water pump.

It's not that I lack the skill, I don't have the ability to, in other words, I don't have a socket set, a jack or vice grip or anything on hand because I am not at home. I had the belts because I was away and couldn't do them myself.

I changed the spark plugs, ignition wires, dist. cap and rotor, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, ignition coil, front tie rods, front and rear control arms all by myself. I did almost as equally as much on my W124. Trust me, I can do it

I just need any guidance or advice on replacing it on the M110 engine, which supposedly is a PITA

alabbasi · #7 10-12-2008, 09:30 AM

A quick trip to Harbor Freight will fix that though. You always need a spare set for trips when you have an old car.

Mike D · #8 10-12-2008, 09:40 AM

The only real pain to the water pump R&R is the removal of those four accursed bolts holding the fan.

The absolute easiest way of water pump replacement is to remove the radiator for ease of access.