On our C220, the water pump started leaking around 75K, and the viscous fan started turning too slowly at idle shortly thereafter. Both seem to be fairly common problems, so it would make sense to do both at the same time.

The tensioner shock bushing failed around 70K, so that's another candidate - but don't know if this is a problem on the 280's.

The water pump/fan jobs are straightforward, except that you need a special wrench to keep the fan from turning as you unbolt it. The Haynes manual has directions for a tool you can make if you don't want to buy the wrench.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe