C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Intercooler pump finally died.

Old Aug 27, 2007 | 11:44 AM
  #1  
Bif powell's Avatar
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2002 c32
Intercooler pump finally died.

This was preceded a few days ago by a message on my instrument cluster about "SOS call Shop" something like that. I assumed that this was telling me that my service interval was up, but maybe it's something else?...

As for the pump, it was holding out well for the last 20k miles or so and then yesterday, I went to pass someone, the engine made noise like it wanted to go but...no go Could it be something else and related to the SOS message I got previously?

The sad part is that I would like to replace it with a higher performing part and maybe do a separated reservoir and bigger heat exchanger, but my S4 is completely torn apart taking up my entire garage (pulling the motor and tranny for a stasis rebuild/stage 3+) so I think I'm going to just have to bite the bullet at the stealership

For you guys that have done this, how big a job is it to just replace the pump?...maybe I can do it out on the drive-way? Do I have to take the bumper off?
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 11:51 AM
  #2  
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Bif! It took me aprox 1.5 hrs to do it.
It is very easy swap.
Follow directions from 1Fast write up and You will be fine.
Good Luck.
Jack
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 11:52 AM
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Before anyone tells you to do a search, which you should. Check out this thread about a cheap alternative to going to the dealer to get your pump fixed. Seeing how you are mechanically inclined, putting on the replacement should be a piece of cake. Also, I don't believe you have to take off the bumper. They should make that thread a sticky for all the members, apparently the pumps are very limited in their life span.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/146457-1fastc32-s-cheep-intercooler-pump-replacement.html
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 11:54 AM
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the Johnson CM30 pump should be a easy swap.
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 12:00 PM
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Bif, this is an easy repair and you can do it in your driveway. No sweat for someone doing a stage 3 Audi in their garage!
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 12:10 PM
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Its kinda tight if you just take off the wheel, and do it from the back. After working on the HE project, I realized how easy it is to take the bumper off. With the bumper off, its a 10 minute job. I can get the bumper off in about 10 minutes now. If I do any more pump work, which I will be in the future, I will just take the bumper off instead of busting up my hands.
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 12:56 PM
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i installed my new CM30 pump yesterday without removing the bumper...took an hour with me taking my time, very easy to do...

Bif, if you want my old pump, which is working fine, i just wanted to upgrade, you can have it...just pay for shipping and i will get it shipped out asap...

let me know if you want it...
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 03:01 PM
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Quick question. When you take off the old pump hoses, what amount of fluid leaks out? Do you just let it run out, or do you plug the hoses? When installing the new pump, do you need to do anything to ensure that the pump does not run dry? Is there a priming process?

I've mentally replaced my pump a few times already, and this is the step that is still mysterious to me.

(Ford Lightning (Bosch) pump is waiting in the wings, prewired and ready to go.)
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Fifth Ring
Quick question. When you take off the old pump hoses, what amount of fluid leaks out? Do you just let it run out, or do you plug the hoses? When installing the new pump, do you need to do anything to ensure that the pump does not run dry? Is there a priming process?

I've mentally replaced my pump a few times already, and this is the step that is still mysterious to me.

(Ford Lightning (Bosch) pump is waiting in the wings, prewired and ready to go.)

On mine, I just put a small bucket underneath and let the lines drain into it. It's not that much fluid, perhaps 1/3 to 1/2 gallon. As long as the container is clean and so is the fluid that was drained, you can simply return it to the overflow reservoir when done. The pump does not require priming - it's plug & play.

My favorite piece of advice in the original tutorial thread is to use vice grips to release the hose clamps and leave them in place while you put the new pump in. Makes the whole job faster, because a good deal of your effort is just getting the clamps released in such tight quarters.
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 04:05 PM
  #10  
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on mine, because i have the seperate reservoir on my car, i lost almost 2 gallons...

one thing to note: on my 2002, i had to rev the car up to like 4,000rpms in order to get the pump to start pumping fluid... i did this to make sure i got all of the air out of the system and that the reservoir was full before the first drive...
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 04:27 PM
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Definitely purge the system after you get everything back together. Let the car idle until you hear the pump start working, and you will see the fluid start to get low, as well as air bubbles being worked out. Simply keep adding fluid until it stays full. Often times, more air bubbles will work there way out after the first drive. Just make sure to check it again and fill if needed. Its a simple process.
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 07:25 PM
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I have a Ford Lightning one for sale. Brand new in Box. easy to install
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Old Aug 27, 2007 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 1FASTC32
i installed my new CM30 pump yesterday without removing the bumper...took an hour with me taking my time, very easy to do...

Bif, if you want my old pump, which is working fine, i just wanted to upgrade, you can have it...just pay for shipping and i will get it shipped out asap...

let me know if you want it...
1fast, absolutely. I'll PM you!
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 06:20 PM
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any preferred coolant brand guys?
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
any preferred coolant brand guys?
water and Redline water wetter...
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 1FASTC32
water and Redline water wetter...
thx

just got my CM30 today. might as well drain and put in new fluids.
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by code3smith
Its kinda tight if you just take off the wheel, and do it from the back. After working on the HE project, I realized how easy it is to take the bumper off. With the bumper off, its a 10 minute job. I can get the bumper off in about 10 minutes now. If I do any more pump work, which I will be in the future, I will just take the bumper off instead of busting up my hands.
For those of you who have taken the bumper off, was there any fitment issues when you put it back? I’m just afraid it might loosen a bit after you do it a few times.
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 07:14 PM
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I have taken the bumper off more times than I care to count. It still fits like a glove
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by 360_iti
For those of you who have taken the bumper off, was there any fitment issues when you put it back? I’m just afraid it might loosen a bit after you do it a few times.
it will not loosen up, it is just a pain to get it lined up just right by yourself, it is pretty easy to do with someone helping...
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 11:54 PM
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pump shipped out today, enjoy John...i hope it serves you well!
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 12:13 AM
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Originally Posted by 1FASTC32
...if you want my old pump, which is working fine..you can have it...
It’s encouraging how you are so willing to help a fellow enthusiast.

Kudos to 1FASTC32.
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by splinter
It’s encouraging how you are so willing to help a fellow enthusiast.

Kudos to 1FASTC32.
No lie there

I think I'm going to have this coincide with my head-light swap and just take the bumper off. Eventually I'll do a bigger HE and it's probably good to have this procedure under my belt anyways

Thanks for the tips - and free inter-cooler pump
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by splinter
It’s encouraging how you are so willing to help a fellow enthusiast.

Kudos to 1FASTC32.
no worries, i am always glad to help someone out if it within my power to do so...
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
any preferred coolant brand guys?
I suggest the OEM coolant (the orange stuff). The other brands (the green stuff) cause seals to go bad and subsequent coolant leakage into your intake. This is no joke - STF to find the threads with pictures!
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 10:28 PM
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Mine has OEM Mercedes coolant and it's green. That's what it came with, that's what the Mercedes dealer used.
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