cost of replacing water pump

[henry]

Have been given estimate of $900 to have bad water pump replaced in a 1971 280sl. Is this reasonable?

[Fintail]

Hi Absolutely no max $100 for a new one and a few hours maximum to fit

Keep well

John

[mdsalemi]

Henry,

The estimate depends on a few things.

First--the part. Retail for you, aftermarket part such as Laso, Uro, Graf might be $40-$80 depending on where you get it. Remember the shop is marking things up.
The OEM part is considerably more expensive. I was quoted $125 in 2011, I see now that one place has them for $160.
You might need 4 additional bolts if you are replacing the short pump with the long pump.
Labor is definitely a few hours--it's challenging to do with the radiator in place. That and a few other things like the oil cooler then have to be removed.
Definitely sounds a bit high, but more like a dealer price than an independent.

[jameshoward]

Can't see why you'd even bother trying to do this with he radiator in place.  It's not a hard job if you have time, and is well documented here. Find a good and careful indie. It's not really a model-specific job. $900 sounds very high.

[mdsalemi]

Well, James, I did it myself and it's not that much fun, but doable!

If you don't know before hand, one always tries to simplify things. Trying to remove the water pump with the radiator in place is something I probably would have tried myself but Joe Alexander told me to jack the car up high (no easy task but I did it) and drop the radiator out the bottom. Of course, you have to remove a bunch of hoses, drain some coolant, deal with the oil cooler lines, the air filter had to come out, and it's just removing a bunch of things all in some order. It's a pain but satisfying once you are all done! Particularly if there are no leaks! 

[ja17]

The factory book time on replacing the water pump is 2.2 hrs.  Add an additional 1.2 hrs if your car has AC.  Of coarse these times were established when the cars were new, performed by factory trained, experienced workers, with all the special factory tools, and in perfect working conditions.

I think the added 1.2 hours additional for AC is especially under-estimated. If the car has AC I would figure on about 2.5 hrs additional labor.

[jameshoward]

Totally agree, Michael. I think I learned from your experience. I certainly learned from 'a Joe post', also. Fortunately, I had a pit to work in, and so was able to remove the rad without having to remove the bonnet or jack the car. I recall posting here that I had the benefit of ordering and trying to fit all 3 pump variants before I got the right one (long; 3 bolts...!) Painful.

I have to say that, like you, I found dead the job most satisfying indeed! And despite my 2 spare but useless pumps, it still cost considerably less than $900!

[ja17]

This is a fairly straight forward job unless the engine has factory AC.  I leave the hood (bonnet) and radiator in place unless it has AC.

[stickandrudderman]

If it's in a Mercedes agent then nothing would surprise me. Maybe they're anticipating some snapped bolts? It does seem very high.

[ctaylor738]

Don't forget to add $150 - 200 for an AC service,  which may be needed to get the radiator out. 

[W113SL]

If your car is without AC, you should drop the radiator.  Not too difficult, but the car must be raised high enough to get it out.

I just did my water pump on my 1968 250SL.  It required the short nose pump because  the engine was equipped with the three grooved pulley.  It took me longer than I remembered on my 1967 250SL with the single gorved pulley.

The pump replacement is easy.  What takes rime is re-attaching the fan clutch assembly.  I would guess 2-3 hous for someone who is familiiar is about right.  It took me about 3-4 hours. I doubt any bolts would break off.

$900 is way too high, in my opinion. Find another shop.

Pete Lesler
W113SL