If you followed my previous nightmare thread:
http://index.php?topic=1446then you'll probably sympathize with me. I had a coolant leak that was hidden behind this huge "elephant bracket", as Cees puts it. Unfortunately in order to get the bracket off the car to expose the problem area, I had to remove the vibration damper, and thus remove the radiator, so the cooling system was emptied, and I could not run the car to trace the leak to it's origin. The Thermostat bypass hose was in bad shape, so I erroneously assumed replacing it would solve my problem. It did not
. I replaced every rubber hose and belt in the engine compartment.
Here's what the side of my engine looked like after running the engine for a few minutes, Saturday:
Download Attachment: Leak.jpg60.66 KB
...yes, I was quite sad. See the fluid on the block? IT should be clean and dry!
Question: does this look like a water pump problem to you? Perhaps it's the water pump housing gasket? Is this the typical location for seeing leaking coolant when a water pump goes south? I assume the fluid is headed rearward due to the wind blown by the cooling fan.
Using a small mirror I tried to get a good look at the location where the thermostat housing mounts to the head. This appears to be dry. I suppose I could have a cracked head or block but ...well... I don't want to even think about that.
Does anyone have a documented procedure for water pump removal/installation for a 1971 280SL? My BBB, printed in 1970, only has such a procedure in section 20-1 (pages 20-1/2 thru 20-1/3), which discusses removal/installation of the Compact Bearing Water Pump for Model 280 SE/9 3.5 and 300 SEL/9 3.5. What a piss! This is what I was complaining about in another post. This book doesn't have everything for every carr. It seems to sometimes only discuss updates? Where's the procedure for the 280 SL?
Can I get the water pump housing off the block without removing the vibration damper? Is this a part that's typically replaced, or just the gasket?
Any advise on chemicals to use for removing the gasket from the block? I usually use paint remover. No problems on a cast iron block, right? Any "no-no"'s? Anything I need to know about using RTV sealant to help install the gasket?
Oh, yea, can I get the water pump off without removing the crank shaft's vibration damper? That would be sweet.
As always, all of you help is invaluable. Thanx for anthing you can offer!
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William Blair Wagner: blairwag@earthlink.net
Education is not always knowing the answer,
...but rather knowing where to look for it!
1971 280SL US Automatic
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