Here is the picture of the "cooling water outlet line" I mentioned in the previous post. It is #110 in the picture. It is hard to tell from the picture, but the plastic line (about 3/8" in diameter) runs directly under the water pump. The recovery tank is at the bottom of the line and if I recall it is mounted to the front base of the oil sump.

I am presuming this was some sort of environmental effort to collect any leaking anti-freeze that came out of the weep hole. If someone else knows the reason for this line, please fell free to chime in.

Attached Files

CoolingWaterOutletLine110.pdf (134.4 KB, 433 views)

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1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

I am going on the mechanic's report from the dealer. Do not know how they test the coolant system for leaks.

The report says coolant is pouring out and should be towed from the dealership if not repaired. I'm sure this is CYA

Right now I use about 1/2 litre of water per trip and a few hours of being parked. I just fill the res and go. I know I'm on borrowed time while I put the money together.

Parts prices from non Mercedes suppliers seem to be less than $400.

When I was young, 60's and 70's, I had a similar problem and lasted for quite a while. I'm concerned about a quick disintegration of the pump.

I would dig further into specifically where they say the water pump is leaking. I hate to say this about dealers, but they tend to take a shotgun approach when it comes to coolant leaks, especially if the service manager thinks you are not a DIYer and he can get away with it.

My neighbor was a diehard Mercedes owner until he took his 300E to the dealer for a coolant leak. They replaced the entire cooling system (radiator, hoses, water pump, belt, thermostat) for $1,800 and they didn't even tell him they were going to do all the work. I guess they just presumed that because he was in his sixties and was well dressed, they could charge him the max (his wife was wearing some expensive looking jewelry too).

He was so mad when he picked up the car that he drove it from the Mercedes dealer directly to the Lexus dealer and traded it in towards an LS400. Every two years, he buys a new LS 4xx. It was Mercedes' loss.

See if they can put it on the rack and show you where the leak is coming from. To the extent they cannot (or will not) show you, I would think about taking it for a second opinion.

If you decide to drive it off, make sure the warning light for the coolant level is working (observe the light comes on with the others when you turn the key). Assuming you have at least the minimum coolant and the temperature is within normal limits, I don't see how this could hurt the engine. Just be prepared to pull over and turn the engine off if the low level light comes on and/or the temperature starts to get over 110 degrees. If you let it overheat, you could warp the heads and that would cost more than the car is worth.

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1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

i just went and looked at a 400e.... the water pump is a piece of cake compared to the 300e...


400e water pump just over 100 dollars.....maybe 120 tops

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Buy a reconditioned water pump from your local MB dealer. Replace the leaking water pump immediately before you overheat the engine and compound your problem. Recommend replacing the thermostat and any hoses that are questionable.

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Fred Hoelzle

Here is an update to my original question of leaking water pump.

I found an independent Mercedes shop to do the work at half the price of the MB dealer. The parts may not be MB but are supposedly from the same manufacture. The quote for replacing the pump was $750 including parts and labor. The job would be about 4 hours, so my car would be in and out in one day. The pump was $450. I found out that the pump seal goes bad but the bearing never does. Not like the old days of the 50's and 60's.

However, at my son's insistence to have the timing chain replaced and the reaction of the shop owner (oh god) when told the car has 236,000 miles on it. I decided to have the chain replaced too. If the job was done in conjunction with the water pump that would be an additional $850. By pulling the valve cover, the top chain guides, tensioner and chain can be replaced. BUT, the guides were shot with broken pieces about. The only way to do the job correctly is to pull the front of the engine off. All accessories ie: alternator, power steering pump a/c, radiator and so forth to get to the chain cover and clean out everything. That included the oil sump pan and (oil pan due to a torn gasket).

The job turned into a two week repair. With additional parts like new hoses, serpentine belt, spark plugs and such the job came to $3800.00. Well worth it, running stronger than ever.

The mechanic that did the work has been around for 20 years and never saw so much debris lying about and not have serious troubles.

I am one very lucky guy.

Attached Thumbnails

     

Thanks for the update. Hopefully, you are good for another 236,000 miles.

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1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles