Need serious help with 300E ... read, this is interesting.
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From: Boston, MA
Need serious help with 300E ... read, this is interesting.
Hello all. I have a 1987 Mercedes 300e with 85k. I hooked this car up and fixed it up inside out. My brother also had a 1988 300e. This is the problem, I have recently put 1500 cash into fixed the braking system and some engine components. Now, I must replace the WATER PUMP. I do have access to a GOOD one, but I may by a new one if I can put it in myself. Can anybody give me instructions on how to replace the water pump, or direct to me where and what tools I need. I really need some help. Thanks.
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you are a funny funny man ... they wanted 7.5 hours of labor for the water pump and drive belt ... this came out to over $750, then the water pump for 130, and belt for 30. an approx. price of $910.
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'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
7.5 hours seems much, but if you do it yourself it may take longer, since you dont know the tricks. As you can see in the engine compartment around the water pump its really packed with components. You need to take the fan cover off, loosen the belt tensioning assembly (tough piece to work on), limited space between the radiator and the belt and the pump makes it really hard to work on the components. It might be wise to take out the radiator.
I would stay away from it, since the parts you need anyway.
I would stay away from it, since the parts you need anyway.
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From: Boston, MA
i hate my car ... honestly, one time i worked on a couple things on the car ... it took me like 2-3 hours to replace the front left headlight assembly in this weather. i will never do it again. (i dont have a garage.)
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i hear ya on the headlight assembly, thats a beast, especially if its smashed.
My 89 300E has been extremely nice to me. It only needs repairs when I have the cash. Like right now I have no cash and it runs fine. When I get tons of money like the axle will break or somin. It's awesome! I just hope nothing breaks after I said this.
(Chupper drives out of his garage. The hood flips open and yellow and green gas comes shooting from the engine block, the two front tires fall off from the explosion and the rear gas tank implodes. After the fire department arrives Chupper has 3rd degree burns over 90% of his body and has no money.)
My 89 300E has been extremely nice to me. It only needs repairs when I have the cash. Like right now I have no cash and it runs fine. When I get tons of money like the axle will break or somin. It's awesome! I just hope nothing breaks after I said this.
(Chupper drives out of his garage. The hood flips open and yellow and green gas comes shooting from the engine block, the two front tires fall off from the explosion and the rear gas tank implodes. After the fire department arrives Chupper has 3rd degree burns over 90% of his body and has no money.)
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From: Boston, MA
this sucks ... recently, i replaced my front struts, controls arms, calipers(frt), discs(frt-rear), pads(frt-rear), headlight assembly left, front tires(200apiece), and paid for my semester at school. i have no idea how i am going to fix my car now =] it sits in front of my house looking good...but is really a **** box.: :o
if you would like, i will get a picture of it sitting in front of my house for you all.
if you would like, i will get a picture of it sitting in front of my house for you all.
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Yep yep, I hear ya. I think I posted a thread on here a few months ago reporting "I HATE MY CARS!" At the time the G wouldn't allow a key to turn and the 300E wasn't starting hot.
I was pretty damn frustrated and embarrased when I would sit at the Gas Station or FedEx or UPS or at a clients office trying to get my car started hot. I felt like such an idiot. It wouldn't start up.
Get the cash and fix it sometime. If I knew how I would tell ya, but I don't
!! U put so much into it already, its gotta be ridin nice. After this water pump I pray that you won't have anything else. Good luck 2 ya!
Ya might like ur car again soon. Its about as quick as a 03 Subaru Impreza WRX, if ya didn't know - just had a little race
l8er
I was pretty damn frustrated and embarrased when I would sit at the Gas Station or FedEx or UPS or at a clients office trying to get my car started hot. I felt like such an idiot. It wouldn't start up.
Get the cash and fix it sometime. If I knew how I would tell ya, but I don't
!! U put so much into it already, its gotta be ridin nice. After this water pump I pray that you won't have anything else. Good luck 2 ya!Ya might like ur car again soon. Its about as quick as a 03 Subaru Impreza WRX, if ya didn't know - just had a little race
l8er
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From: Boston, MA
yea... i really do feel that after i replace the water pump and drive belt, the car will work better than it ever has. i plan on getting a new paint job in the summer, and selling it before it hits 100k. well maybe... if it runs well, i will probably keep it for a few more years...nothing leaks(except a **** load of rad fluid), nothing makes any noise...
if anybody out there that wants to buy a 1988 Mercedes 300E with 75k, email me. it has damage to the rear quarter panels, trunk and bumper. there is no frame damage and it seriously runs well. *it is not salvage. *
if anybody out there that wants to buy a 1988 Mercedes 300E with 75k, email me. it has damage to the rear quarter panels, trunk and bumper. there is no frame damage and it seriously runs well. *it is not salvage. *
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From: N. California
1994 C280, 2002 E320
I've done mine, and its a *****. It took the better part of a weekend...and I have some mechanical experience and lots of tools.
One suggestion, if you can find the money, replace the belt idler wheel, fan bearing assy, tensioner assy and the tensioner idler wheel at the same time. Mine all went out within 3K miles of each other. And after you get through this agonizing process once, it really sucks to have to do it all over again a month later...
One suggestion, if you can find the money, replace the belt idler wheel, fan bearing assy, tensioner assy and the tensioner idler wheel at the same time. Mine all went out within 3K miles of each other. And after you get through this agonizing process once, it really sucks to have to do it all over again a month later...
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From: Boston, MA
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I FINALLY GOT MY CAR FIXED. LUCKILY I FOUND A MERCEDES SPECIALIST THAT DOESNT CHARGE OUTRAGES PRICE ... HE DID THE DRIVE BELT, WATER PUMP, AND A FEW OF THE LOWER HOSES. THE TENSIONER WAS FINE, FAN ASSEMBLEY PERFECT AND SO ON ... THE TOTAL COST .............499 W/LAB THANKS FOR YOUR HELP EVERYBODY, AND HONESTLY THO ... IT HAS BEEN NOT MORE THAN 5 DEGRESS HERE, PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR WAS TOUGH ENOUGH =]
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
Salehjm,
you want save some money and do it yourself I would suggest checking the pulleys, tensioner, and the little engine dampener. The most difficult part is getting to one of the mounting bolts buried under the pump. Even with my small hands, I had some difficulty. A flexible or multi link socket will work. Unless you are sure they are good, the other parts should be replaced since you will be taking a good amount of time in removing parts to get to the w/p. Removing the radiator is not a bad idea, and you can have it cleaned too. Watch for the plastic inlet/outlet as they may crack. I noticed the pulleys bearings were dry which would eventually failed. The tensioner may be damaged if the previous mechanic didn't loosen the locking bolt. (mine was). Those dealer parts prices you've quoted seem fair but there are many internet suppliers around to price shop. I used mercedessource.com. Be patient, these cars have idiosyncronies but once they are taken care of they run great and last a long time.
Good luck,
Felix
you want save some money and do it yourself I would suggest checking the pulleys, tensioner, and the little engine dampener. The most difficult part is getting to one of the mounting bolts buried under the pump. Even with my small hands, I had some difficulty. A flexible or multi link socket will work. Unless you are sure they are good, the other parts should be replaced since you will be taking a good amount of time in removing parts to get to the w/p. Removing the radiator is not a bad idea, and you can have it cleaned too. Watch for the plastic inlet/outlet as they may crack. I noticed the pulleys bearings were dry which would eventually failed. The tensioner may be damaged if the previous mechanic didn't loosen the locking bolt. (mine was). Those dealer parts prices you've quoted seem fair but there are many internet suppliers around to price shop. I used mercedessource.com. Be patient, these cars have idiosyncronies but once they are taken care of they run great and last a long time.
Good luck,
Felix
