Well, yesterday I decided to forego enjoying a perfect spring Georgia day and replaced my water pump. The bearing failed to the point of rollers actually falling out but it never leaked a drop!! Anyway it only took me six hours and about ten beers. I only lost about one square inch of skin on my hands and arms, and less than a half pint of blood! I used to get a feeling of accomplishment when I did a job like this. Now I'm just happy I survived!

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What engine do you have? Did you need any special tools for the job? People have mentioned there is a special hex socket for the waterpump-block bolts. Do you find that tool to be necessary? Both of my manuals start off by saying "remove fan," but I've never figured out how to remove the fan on my car. I have a 300CE with the 104 engine.

Thanks,

GregS
'84 300D
'90 300CE

I used standard tools. A standard 3/8 inch universal wrapped with friction tape is what I used on the top inside bolt on the pump, but mine has been removed before so it wasn't seized. The special Snap-On flex would be good to have, but I didn't have one so that's that. The bottom inside bolt I removed by breaking loose with 3/8 inch drive with a 13mm socket, but you can't completely remove it because the socket will jam into the pump housing. Once I got it loose, I changed to a 1/4 inch drive 13 mm and it came out. I had already changed the allen screws in the front with regular bolts, so they were no problem. I removed the power steering pump, the belt tensioner, the radiator, fan and fan clutch. I used a new pump made by Myele( I think that's how you spell it) and it seemed to go back to together a LOT easier than it came apart. I don't know if the design was changed on the new pump or I just got lucky. I would not attempt this job without a 3/8 inch drive air rachet. A 1/4 in. drive one would be a big help, but I don't have one. The two other required tools are a service manual or CD and a LOT of patience. Cold beer and some good music are also essential!

Oh, I have the M103.

Congratulations! It's not an easy job. When I did mine, the shop I bought the pump from gave me their towing service number expecting me to not be able to complete the job. I did mine without removing the fan or radiator. But you loose a lot less skin and blood if you remove them.

I used a series of wobble extensions to get to the bolts and I don't have an air ratchet either. Great job.

__________________
Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

You have my respect if you did it that way. I thought about it, but just last Sunday I replaced the timing belt on my Accord. During that job I discovered that it's sometimes easier and faster to remove an obstacle than to try and work around it! I lost about a pint on that job!!!

Yep, the Snap On FLXM 13 is not mandatory, but if I were doing these for a living I would definitely have one. Like the Cap'n it took a good while to get mine finished. My 1/4" drive air ratchet helped to run a few of the bolts that were in really tight places, particularly one of the power steering pump bolts and I think the bolt that was holding the dipstick or something in place. I had to get that out of my way.

I sure am glad that pump lasted 250,000 miles and I hope the new one makes it that far.

Have a great day,

Amen to that!!