Intake manifold on 1991 300CE24

[BDBENZ]

I am missing something with the removal of the intake manifold. I decided to drop it back to replace the water pump and am having difficulty. I have removed the 8 bolts and the bolts from the support bruce, but it is still snug. Is there a center stud/nut that I am missing? It is not visable from the top or bottom to me ,so I like to know before proceeding. This is the 104.980 with ke injection.

THANKS

[JohnM.]

You shouldn't have to touch the intake manifold to replace the WP. The water pump bolts are tricky, but doable with some patience and wobbly sockets/adapters/extension combos etc.

[BDBENZ]

John , that is what I have had explained to me but after all day trying, two trips to sears and much frustration, I thought it might be best to pull the manifold back to access the upper bolt that is under the manifold. I have had a wobble socket and 1/4 drive on it but can not get enough leverage. Concerned about rounding off the bolt head so here we are. I have done this job on my 93 but this is a different animal. I have done seals, chains head gaskets on my 93 but this is the longest and most frustrated I have been on what should be a routine job. I rebuilt the whole suspension on my 560 SL easier than this. Wow.

[glenmore]

Small hands are helpful too. I did it with just a assortment of extensions and flex sockets. After finishing I thought that maybe 13mm moon wrench would have worked. IIRC remove oil tube an be sure to stuff a rag down there. And also release the fuel rail so you can get a better look.

My 104.98 is CIS. Unless you've changed the air hoses recently the ones going into the intake and ICV and CSV will be like iron and most likely will break.