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water leak / weep w124

gt-83

Active Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
307
Location
norwich
Car
1992 300ce
should i be concerned about the leak / weep of water i have on my old coupe, its just annoying as my engine has no seapage of oil at all, ive had the crankshaft oil seal and timing chain cover fixed in the past, so it is now a rare 124 engine that is dry.......except for this water problem, it seems that it is weeping from "behind" the water pump, maybe where it mates to the engine??, its not a lot, i have to top up every 300 miles or so, it weeps into a hollow in the engine casing then at any speed this disperses over the engine and other parts, i ask because it looks like a labour intensive job to me, is it worth the (hundreds?) of pounds to fix
 
I couldn't live with a water leak, but then it's not my car. I would be concerned in case you let the level fall too low one trip.
 
Classic Water pump "Weep Hole"

If you can,(With a mechanics mirror) look at the underside of the Water Pump
shaft housing (between the Pulley and the block) you will see the "Weep Hole". Some pumps have them on top and bottom.If you see evidence of weep-age: crusty deposits of coolant
or coolant trails:
CAUTION:This is the warning that the seal is going usually caused by the WP
bearing going bad.
KEEP an EVER vigilant eye on the coolant level and engine temperature!

A new Water Pump is in your immediate future.
 
i ask because it looks like a labour intensive job to me, is it worth the (hundreds?) of pounds to fix

I had a water pump replaced recently by an independent for £160 including pump (not MB part), labor and VAT, mine is a W202, yours should be much the same job.

As others have said, keep a close eye on the leak, it will get worse and that could happen rapidly.

Dec
 
If you can,(With a mechanics mirror) look at the underside of the Water Pump
shaft housing (between the Pulley and the block) you will see the "Weep Hole". Some pumps have them on top and bottom.If you see evidence of weep-age: crusty deposits of coolant
or coolant trails:
CAUTION:This is the warning that the seal is going usually caused by the WP
bearing going bad.
KEEP an EVER vigilant eye on the coolant level and engine temperature!

A new Water Pump is in your immediate future.

thanks.....now you have mentioned the water pump bearings, there is a very slight bearing noise under the bonnet , but i couldnt pin point it....time for a new pump then
 
gt-83

The leak will NOT stay constant but will get worse so needs attention NOW.

I think you will find it is listed as 6 hour job on that engine.

There is a fair amount of dismantling to do and access to bolts is "impossible", so special thin and flexible socket and extensions required.

I would highly recommend you entrust the job to someone that has done it previously.

Due to that timeframe you would not want to do it again in a hurry so recommend only using a Mercedes pump. Ask for discount.

It will then last for another 13/14 years.

If you are DIY and have the Merc manuals then can be done over a weekend, which I did.

Whilst at it, took the opportunity to change the thermostat and coolant sensor and various hoses.

Shame you are in Norwich.
 
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Alternatively you could ask me for a price on a waterpump, my parts are from OE supplier (Ferdinand Bilstein) so are just as good and a lot cheaper!!
Will need chassis number though.;)
 
thanks franey.....will do, will reply to your pm when ive dug out my number
 
Yes - there are various generations of water pump depending on your car VIN.

Do ask mercedes dealer for their actual part number recommendation as the parts are constantly evolving even for out of production models.

The parts offer 2 years guarantee and there may be a reconditioned model on offer and also comes with same 2 year guarantee.

The price difference on many aftermarket copy parts are simply not worth the hassle of not knowing if the fit is going to be Ok and if the materials are going to last.

In my many years experience with something as important as a water pump it is simply not worth the risk, for the "bit" of saving which when looked at 5 years down the line, is insignificant.

If selling the car, to show invoices for genuine parts, is a very good selling point and will get you the extra outlay back again.
 
I agree there are many aftermarket products available and of varying quality. Many of these originate from China, Turkey, Malaysia and India.
However, the parts that I sell are from a known source ie Ferdinand Bilstein. This company supply MB with parts aswell as BMW VW Porsche etc etc.
More often than not, the parts themselves show evidence of the marque logo being removed. Obviously they cannot sell parts with 'bmw' or 'MB' on them. Most of the time the savings are quite generous and far out weigh the benefits of fitting something that is the same article in all but name branding.
Mercedes don't make most of the parts that they build vehicles with, so who makes them?
I have been using Febi parts since the company came to this country in the early 90's and can give my personal assurance based on experience that the parts they make are in no way below the standard of OE supplied equivalents.
Also, do you really think I would offer my assistance and indeed try to sell sub standard parts on this forum?
My offer to assist with supplying the correct part for this member is quite genuine, with a very generous discount included. The last thing I would like to do is sell the chap a poor quality part that I would not fit to my own car.
Ultimately though, everyone has their preference and it is their choice from where they buy their parts.
I am fortunate enough to be able to deal directly with Febi and merely extend this benefit to club members on a very small margin of profit.
Just for your info! ;)
 
Febi Water pump.
From the details you gave me:
The part has been superceded 5 times to the Latest MB number.
The MB number is A1042004701 Price retail: £255.44 inc vat
Discounted @ 10% £229.90 inc vat

Febi Price (My normal selling price) £108.48
Discounted to Club Member (Less 20%) £ 86.78
Postage & Packing (1st class recorded) £ 8.94
Total price £ 95.72

Part is not reconditioned but brand new, comes complete with required gaskets.
Hope this helps you.:bannana:
 
My car is going into MB indy specialist next Monday for water pump change. I have same issue as you. Job cost £364.00, using genuine MB parts.
 
gt-83

The actual Mercedes price for that water pump (A1042004701) is actually
£217.40p including Vat. (NOT £255.44p as quoted to you - go check it out)

10% discount at Inchcape will be give a price of £195.66p including Vat and posted out to you free.

So £100 difference on such an important item spread over 13 years for me makes no contest on a specialist car like the coupe.

The Mercedes invoice will be a selling point to the type of people looking to buy that car in future.
 
gt-83


The Mercedes invoice will be a selling point to the type of people looking to buy that car in future.

i plan to keep this car for my lifetime!, im as sure as i can be that these will be sought after classics in the future (it took me 6 months to find this one)....anybody of the same opinion?
 
i plan to keep this car for my lifetime!, im as sure as i can be that these will be sought after classics in the future (it took me 6 months to find this one)....anybody of the same opinion?

I hope so, I'm shortly to throw more time and money at mine :rolleyes:

When you look at the prices of C123s, they are bought and sold for buttons and there seems to be no shortage of them.

124s have the reputation as the last of a breed, and whilst they are a lovely car I'm not so sure that with hindsight, the high prices charged for good examples until recently are more related to the (now faltering) economic boom and not representative of the intrinsic value of the cars.

There are also still too many of them smoking about about the moment. Only time will tell.


Ade
 
gt-83

The actual Mercedes price for that water pump (A1042004701) is actually
£217.40p including Vat. (NOT £255.44p as quoted to you - go check it out)

10% discount at Inchcape will be give a price of £195.66p including Vat and posted out to you free.

So £100 difference on such an important item spread over 13 years for me makes no contest on a specialist car like the coupe.

The Mercedes invoice will be a selling point to the type of people looking to buy that car in future.
Just tried to buy a pump, and it adds vat to the £195.
Besides, for exactly the same product save the MB motif, spending an extra £100 just in case somebody in the future might ask where the part came from is quite unjustifiable, especially for a vehicle that is approaching 'classic' status.
If the part was not available on the aftermarket then fair enough, but it is, and from the same manufacturer as the MB one.
What if MB no longer sold the part? Would you then choose not to fit any other make in fear of reducing the value of the car?
Be realistic, spending more than double for the same part is just wasting money.
 
Hi Franey you seem to know what your talking about. my water pump has just gone this evening on my w202. i was wondering if you are in a position to get me a quote on one if possible. you can give me a call or txt if you need to on 07969 764494. thanks.
 
Currently doing a water pump on a 103 engine and this is what we found, notice that the top mounting has been sheared off the block. Out with the trusty JB Weld.
rob77.jpg


Oh and a gen water pump for this vehicle costs £166 plus vat
 

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