The Mercedes manual (CD) procedure for changing a water pump makes it a major project, including removing the tensioning device and moving the power stearing pump. Can this procedure be simplified? I've changed a lot of water pumps on German and Italian cars, but this one has me worried about tackling it. My car is a 1991 300E 2.6.

Thanks,

Walt Lake

Welcome to the forum Walt.

This topic has been discussed quite a bit. By using the Search Button in the upper-right hand corner and the words: 300E Water Pump

I got these results:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=770014&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

Yes, it is simplified some if you have an FLXM 13 tool from Snap On. It has a 1/4" shaft and flex socket that will get to the water pump bolts without field stripping the entire front end of the engine.

Also, the heater pipe that goes horizontally across the engine can be slid toward the passenger side out of the way, by simply loosening the Allen bolt that goes vertically into the head and sliding it. The bolt goes through a slot and is difficult to get all the way out, but you don't need to. It is not totally obvious that this is a slot, so the first time, you remove it all the way before you discover that you don't have to.

Hope this helps,

Other than that, you have to strip it down, alas.

It would be easy without the power steering.

Check the belt tensioner -- if not replace fairly recently, you are going to need a new one, it won't re-tension.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!