MrCjames...Thanks again for the information and advice! I wanted to let you know the water pump project went well. The only snag in the project was one of the 8mm x 135mm bolts which secures the water pump to the engine broke off while trying to remove it. Thankfully there was a short “stub” of the bolt left where I could use heat and vise grips to remove it. Having a 8mm at a length of 135mm seems like a bad design by MB. While performing the replacement of the water pump, I used the disassemble steps to also change the alternator voltage regulator, oil filter housing relief valve, left side engine mount, new hoses, and new poly v-belt.

I was VERY thankful the 6 bolts securing the belt pulley to the dampener allowed me to remove the parts without having the unscrew the 400nm crank shaft bolt..  Geeze, The fear of removing the crank bolt had me worried all week, but thankfully the belt pulley and damper came off without the removal of the 6 bolts.

I really appreciate you help and others here on the forum!

We have a 400e with 160,000 miles that my son drives, so I'm sure I will be visiting this project again .. but hopefully not soon!

__________________
Russell McMahon
Tulsa, OK
2001 CLK 320
1992 400se
1993 400e
2000 320ML