[raboyto2]

I've noticed that coolant has gone missing over the last week or so, about 300-400ml. The passenger side of the block is wet with oil (assuming timing cover leak), and the drivers side is dry. But I noticed a little tiny stream going down the side of the oil pan. I then noticed all the dried up coolant marks (from what I'm assuming is wind turbulence.). Its not yet making a puddle under the car, the leak isnt that bad yet.

I examined the water pump while running and while off, used a mirror and can not see any water coming from it anywhere. Does the pump have a weep hole? Where is it located? The short hose connecting the pump to the head doesnt seem to be leaking, and i dont see anymore locations where it could be leaking from. When I follow up the little stream up the oil pan there is a little puddle where the block and pan joint (circled in the picture) and then runs to the front of the engine and hides behind the power steering bracket?

Water pump??

(1986 260e with the m103 with 202,000kms and zero previous history)

 

[raboyto2]

A quick google search and i see the water pump. I see there is an o-ring where it connects to the block. I guess it could be that. The I will have to look at it when the vehicle is here again.

Before I jump in and rip this pump out (from what i've been reading its a 8 hour job?) Anything else that it could be? Any coolant passages near that area where it could leak out the headgasket?

 

[Ivanerrol]

Here's an image of the waterpump with the weep hole

The bad news is that you still need to change the water pump when it's leaking. The symptoms you describe are exactly the scenario of what happens when the water pump leaks from the weep hole

 

[lowesguy]

Replaced my water pump on 300se last year.took me 7-8 hours. some of the bolts are hard to get at.need lots of extensions and swivels 1/2,3/8,1/4 and penetrating fluid
I think it was the o ring leaking but replaced pump while I had it apart.hard to tell where coolant was leaking out. pump cost me 80 bucks off amazon

 

[thauber]

Wow, hate it for you all that have that much trouble with these pumps. Luckily I have a 93 with an M104 HFM setup and it took less than 90 minutes to pull the old one (weep hole leak too) and have the new one in and running.
Be careful not to buy too cheap of a water pump if they are that hard to do on your model, as you wouldn't want to have to do it again soon.
Good luck.

 

[lowesguy]

Wow, hate it for you all that have that much trouble with these pumps. Luckily I have a 93 with an M104 HFM setup and it took less than 90 minutes to pull the old one (weep hole leak too) and have the new one in and running.
Be careful not to buy too cheap of a water pump if they are that hard to do on your model, as you wouldn't want to have to do it again soon.
Good luck.

Yea took long time but took lots of beer breaks!

 

[raboyto2]

I might as well order a new one in. When I park it for the winter I'll do it. Crazy it takes that long, as its just RIGHT there at the top. I'm sure the first time is always more time consuming as well.

Zerex G-05 is the stuff to use correct? That's what i used when I just put in the new radiator a couple months ago.

Should I consider doing the front timing cover seal at this time? (As in would i be halfway there in taking off the necessary parts and should just do it)

 

[augapfel]

Definitely the water pump leaking. Definitely.

I've replaced the pump several times (on several different cars) and the symptom is always the same: coolant loss followed by discovery of coolant trails or drips on the left side of the oil pan.

Yeah, the pump is easy to see and seems to be right in your face. It's the *fasteners* that make replacement a real PITA. Well, that and getting the fan, tensioner shock, and Ps pump out of the way...

The upper rear bolt will make you want to cry. 13mm hex head and it's behind the dipsitck tube. Just pop the hood and look at the dipstick as it disappears between intake manifold runners. The bolt is under there.

I did the pump job twice in the past month and got a drain tube with both pumps. This is a funny shaped plastic tube that presses into the pump weep hole and routes leaking coolant to a place where you can see it. The problem is that everything is so tight in these I can't figure out how to install the damn thing. I'll start a separate thread and hope that ClarkZ71 sees it!

The records that came with TE#2 show that this pipe was installed when a shop last replaced the pump. The pipe is long gone, though, so either they didn't really install one or it fell out. Which makes me wonder how I should secure the thing if I *do* manage to install it.

 

[raboyto2]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I did the pump job twice in the past month and got a drain tube with both pumps. This is a funny shaped plastic tube that presses into the pump weep hole and routes leaking coolant to a place where you can see it. The problem is that everything is so tight in these I can't figure out how to install the damn thing. I'll start a separate thread and hope that ClarkZ71 sees it!

The records that came with TE#2 show that this pipe was installed when a shop last replaced the pump. The pipe is long gone, though, so either they didn't really install one or it fell out. Which makes me wonder how I should secure the thing if I *do* manage to install it.

Not a bad idea. I may have to do this myself. I would do this like this :

- Find a small hose thats similar to the hole, slid it in and put a sealant around the outside to affix it to the pump housing (Goop, SealAll, or a 2 part epoxy) Then somewhere near the pump, affix a cable clamp so that the entire weight of the hose isnt being held by the glue or else it will eventually fall off.

But of course all of this is only easy when the weep hole is accessible.