best brand of water pump for E280 M104 motor?

[mattyh]

Hi W124 people,

Who's seen it all, and knows which brands fail prematurely, and can tell me the best brand of water pump to put in? It's possible to read so many good and bad things about justabout any brand ....

My 1994 E280 runs fine, but at 28 years old I'm feeling it may be prudent to have a spare water pump at hand, or even pre-emptively replace it.

Additionally, about 10 years ago I had the head gasket replaced, and the oil had really gotten into the cooling system, so it may be wise also for that reason to replace radiator and water pump ....

thanks .... Matt

[Ivanerrol]

Resist the temptation of buying a chinese knockoff or no name brand.
You only want to do this job once.
Stump up for a Graf.

[newMercowner69]

Google what brand of water pump is O.E.M. to MB,
Or German water pump brands,
Stay away from Unique Autos as they sell the Chinese made Technik ,
SKF make water pumps as do QH.

[Bartman4800]

Sparesbox have Meyle and Swag

https://www.sparesbox.com.au/parts/engi ... ccessories

Trodo has SKF and others:

https://www.trodo.com/water-pump/merced ... -17938-cid

[mattyh]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I've ordered a Graf PA580 from a mob in Melbourne. Surprisingly the price was only a bit more than European site prices (say 10%) but actually a lot less when freight is taken into account!

It seemed a bit counter-intutive that the most reputable brand for a German car turns out to be Italian, but I'm happy to be open minded ;-)

Thanks again .... Matt

[Bartman4800]

Care to share who this Melbourne mob is?


Regards, Bart

[mattyh]

Sure Bart, these guys: https://www.precisionintl.com/

They also sell through Ebay. I ordered it through Ebay at about 2.30pm yesterday. It arrived at my place (well, redirected local to PO as I wasn't home) in Sydney at 9.40am this morning. They're on the ball.

I haven't really studied the website but they may only be about engines.

[John Green]

Before you pull yours off, double extra check you have the right one. There are many versions of these pumps and it is easy to get it wrong without the VIN number and EPC. The main differences are the hose between the head and the pump and if it does/doesn't have a ort for the intercooler on the side of the oil filter housing.

[mattyh]

Thanks for the advice John,

I know what you're saying. I was fairly paranoid as I went through the Graf water pumps catalogue: https://www.metelligroup.it/en/Support/Catalogues --> ("Graf water pumps, timing belt kits with water pump")

On page 2450 (!) you get to the W124 E280 and the entry seems to suggest that either the PA580 or PA661 pump will be suitable, while for many other m104-engined models the guidance is more specific. There's even a little picture in the catalogue on or about the same page with an arrow and cross suggesting the difference between the two pumps but I can't interpret what it really means.

I'd be very happy to send you through my VIN if you have access to a system that can settle it!?

cheers .... Matt

[Ivanerrol]

Graf was an OEM.
Did you order the new short hose as well?

Haven't had luck with Meyle.
Ordered alleged Meyle stuff previously - came in a Meyle Box with cheap PRC stuff inside. (same experience with alleged Behr) from a well known Sydney based eBay seller

[mattyh]

There's no stampings on the new pump that I can find but the box looks pretty legit(!) .... the unit includes a couple of short bolts (plugs for unnecessary holes i guess) so there should be a bit of flexibility there. Another sticker on the box says adaptable for OES 1042003301; 1042004401; 1042004701 .... I've a little look at an online EPC and I think that covers all the possibilities so hopefully I'm in the clear. But I'll have a good look at the old pump before it gets removed. We'll see!

Might need to get that short hose - noted with thanks