W124 M104 1994 air pump

[timshap]

Having recently fully restored my e320 coupe I have decided to replace the viscous fan, clean out the rads, renew compressor and dryer etc...The bolt holding the fan on was a nightmare taking 3 hours to release only after cutting out the coupling.
Having checked the other pulleys and idlers I have noticed that the air pump pulley seems a little loose and wonder if I can take the pulley and clutch off without removing the pump?
I can get the clutch and pulley barings renewed and wondered if anyone had done this before?

thanks.

 

[hotrodder]

AFAIK most people just get rid of the air pump if/when they start misbehaving, MB stopped bothering to fit them to UK (and probably several other markets outside of the US) cars after a while too? Not something i've had to do yet so i don't know if it's possible to get at the bits you want to in situ or if it'd be easier/faster to remove the pump first. Instructions (not detailed) are at the bottom of this page... 14 Intake Manifold, Exhaust Manifold, Emissions Control System - M104 and suggest the pulley can be removed in situ but the elecromagnetic clutch can't. The internet suggests that A1040160033 is the blanking plug/cover plate for the air injection port in the head if removing the pump completely

 

[timshap]

Thanks hotrodder