Time for water pump

[e320wagon]

Can anyone tell me how challenging it is to replace the water pump on a 1995 E320 wagon? My dealer want $ 580.00 to replace it! I can buy a brand new pump for $ 175.00 at a local parts store. I have replaced many a water pump on good old American cars but this critter looks a little different.

Any thoughts on what I am getting myself into?

[Robert Goodwin]

It is complicated. If you do not have a copy of the maintenance CDfrom Mercedes, you may want to invest part of your savings in a copy.

[Sokoloff]

Don't buy a water pump at the local McParts store. Get a rebuilt unit from Mercedes. The aftermarket pumps have caused overheating problems too often to mess with them. The impellers on many aftermarket units do not move as much coolant as the Mercedes pumps. I would think that you should be able to get a rebuilt Merceds pump for les than $175 too. Of course the last one I bought for my 240D cost me $26. :)

Can't tell you about the diffculty of the job.

Len

[Robert Goodwin]

Sokoloff makes a good point on pump quality.

FYI, Mercedes does sell rebuilt water pumps. If your dealer doesn't, contact a couple more, even out of state.

You should be able to get one and pay a fair price. See my thread in this forum on parts pricing.

The good news is that if you buy from another Mercedes dealer and it fails, you can always take it to your local dealer to make good on the warranty. Interesting, isn't it?

[joeym7]

Hi Its 5.4 hours to re[place the pump,yet you should do the T- stat and hoses while you are in there.Also you will need special tools to help you perform the job,although some cut corners and or make them.joeym

[mbkutil]

I don’t know what would be so complicated on replacing water pump on 1995 E-320. I’ve done it for the first time on this car just about a month ago and it was a piece of cake. If you have done water pumps on American cars I am pretty sure you can handle this one too. No special tool required just standard stuff. All you have to remove is the belt, radiator shroud and the pump is right there looking pretty. After all, it is not a brain surgery. Good luck. John

[Robert Goodwin]

Some of us older diesel weasels confuse the very complicated water pump replacement on the M103 engine with the easy zip in feature found on the M104. Well, almost zip in.