Haasman,

Don't feel too bad. We all make small mistakes like this sometimes. Back in November I replaced the water pump on my father's '93 E320 coupe (M104/W124). I was pretty pleased with myself when the job when smoothly and in good time after reading how awkward it can be (and all without disturbing the steering pump or aircon compressor as the manual would suggest is necessary). I even fitted a new belt tensioner and damper to avoid having to go back in there to do that sometime in the future.

Problem was, three weeks later my father reported that it was again leaking coolant at the water pump. having a look revealed coolant had been spraying off the water pump pulley and belt. After having a replacement pump sent out under warranty (even though the supplier was surprised that the new pump would have failed), I was ready to tackle the job again. Before doing so, I pressurised the cooling system with a hand pumped pressure tester and carefully looked for the source of the leak. It turned out it was not the pump. The hose that goes from the front of the head across to the pump (under the front plastic cover) had settled over the few weeks since being refitted and was leaking. Coolant was running along the underside of the hose and onto the pump pulley. Half a turn of the hose clamp fixed it.

I had to appologise to the supplier and return the replacement pump. Sometimes, some of us get it wrong and where coolant is involved it will find its way out of the slightest leak.

Greg

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.