M103 - short coolant hose leaking... have to remove water pump to replace?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Tennessee
1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
M103 - short coolant hose leaking... have to remove water pump to replace?
I believe this short coolant hose is leaking on my 1988 Mercedes 300SEL and I have been told that I would have to remove the water pump in order to replace it and it was not as simple to replace as it looks. Can anyone else verify? Gosh, seems like alot of labor to replace this. Hoping if so I can tighten it and it will be OK... its a very slow leak at this point. Its also kinda rusty there around the hose area.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 105
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From: Atlanta, GA
1987 300 SDL
If I were you I will tear open the old hose by making a horizontal cut through the length of it without removing anything except the clamps. If all the parts are OK, I will then sand and clean everything extremely well (including removing rust) and apply a good amount of WD-40 or Vaseline to the inside of the new hose and try to slip it through the opening by going all the way left first and then right and make it centered. Attach new clamps and presto! Although, you have to see if it fits through the opening in between both necks, you have nothing to lose by trying my approach first. Needs patience and a cool head; let me know how it goes... Good Luck Buddy!
Last edited by Berde; Nov 10, 2009 at 11:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
Thanks. Well the hose was leaking on the side toward the thermostat, so I went and bought a new clamp (wider) and replaced it. I also moved it more toward the end of the hose. It appears to have stopped... for now anyway. 
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
Update... 11 days later, has not leaked a drop! Apparently it was the old original clamp causing the problem! Thanks!
