Hi all,

Last night I put a cardboard box under the car to see if I was still leaking fluids, especially coolant, since it has been disappearing recently.

Anyway, when I pulled out of my spot, I noticed a decent coolant leak from the front. I haven't taken a good look yet, since I was on my way to work, but it appears that the water pump, or something around it, is leaking.

What other parts of the cooling system are in that area that might be the cause? I did a search but all I found was 123 stuff, and they mentioned some small hoses that could be the cause in that area.

Is replacing the pump easy? How well do these pumps hold up? It works fine, but for $70 I might as well replace it, if it is the source of the leak. However, I might just take it to my indy since I won't be able to diagnose AND order parts and recieve them in any timely fashion, with the holidays being next week and such
I'd rather not wait on this, just in case it gets worse. Plus I'll be at my parents for a while, and they don't want me leaking all over the place because they just refinished the driveway!

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

I just looked in my 603 shop manual. The 603 does not have any short connecting hoses like the 617 so it looks like the water pump itself is the source of your leak. If no one has a better suggestion, I would recommend replacing it. I've never done that job but it doesn't look difficult, just a lot of stuff to get out of the way and maybe buying some large Allen wrenches if you don't already have them.

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Replacing the water pump isn't bad if you have the tools to remove the fan. Usually they weep from the "weep hole" at the bottom. It's an early warning to let you know you better replace it soon, plus antifreeze is extremely toxic when it gets in the ground or water. But the leak could also be from the thermostat housing. You should pinpoint the source of the leak before you do anything.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Hmm, well, if I'm lucky, it will just be the thermostat housing and not the pump. At least I'm not burning it off from a bad head gasket! It was hard for me to tell, because I park in a parking lot that already has a nice oil patch from my car Things just blend together.

I should ask Santa for an FSM, I think I've been needing it more and more lately

__________________
Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

A lot of things going on at the water pump:

- water pump attachment to thermostat housing (not the turret)
- thermostat housing attachment to block
- radiator fitting (turret) attachment to thermostat housing
- radiator hose attachment to radiator fitting
- transmission temp sensor (603.96)
- cabin heater core return line to thermostat housing

And for some reason, the water pump pulley is a b!tch to remove.

Good luck

Sixto
87 300D