Ok, I'm probably going WAY overboard here... but having the top of the motor and all the stuff in front out, everything is SO easy to get to at this time. I searched through the forums and haven't seen much for engine water pump failures. I'm used to water pumps going around the 100k mark on other cars. So my thought was to just change it while I'm doing all the rest of the crap. I'm at 90k on my SLK32 and would like to go another 90k before having to tear all this crap out again.

Am I just getting crazy with preventative maintenance or do you think it's justifiable to change?

 

Will you kick yourself in the butt if after you put it all together and a few days/weeks/months down the road it goes BAM? This will answer your question.

 

It's all apart so I say do it.
Look here.

 

I agree... if you are doing a lot of work, then do it. I usually do hoses at 100,000.

The pump itself is not unreasonably priced and it WILL fail eventually anyway.

 

If you do decide to replace it, make sure the replacement has the extra (previously unused) hole above the alt. This is not found on all original or replacement slk32 water pumps (only 2 of 3 of my slk32s had it).

Chris

 

Ordering on-line doesn't really give me that option... Is the area there, just no hole? If that's the case, I'd just add the hole with a drill press in our machine shop at work.

 

Picture a starfish born without one of its arms/points... there is nothing to add a hole to.

Do a google image search on slk32 waterpump and you should find a picture.
Chris

 

Just letting you know the cheaper water pumps you see everywhere online only fit the n/a motor. The SRT has different alternator mounts.

 

It looks like the Cardone one has the extra mount point. The other "off-brands" do not. I wouldn't mess with the cheap ones anyways. This part number is specifically listed to only fit SLK32, C32 and SRT-6:
Product Detail

You can get it from Partsgeek for $101 but they wont ship to my APO box. The best I can find that will ship it is $200 from Amazon.

 

I had a defective unit in my limited. it failed at around 20,000 miles.
it did not leaf but was making noise, when i took it apart the impeller shaft was bad.
If Ialready had it apart I would replaced it with a quality replacement.

 

Shame you can't get someone in your unit that is stateside (or a family member) that can have it delivered to them and just forwarded (or reshipped) to you there.

 

the difference is pretty big there.

Alan, I still feel like I still owe you a favor for your involvement in the Wavetrac GB . If you like, I could order that pump for you and then then send it to your APO.

Chris

 

I appreciate the offer, and yes, I usually ship things to my buddy and he reships via USPS to me. However, that takes about a week longer usually and I'm ready to start reassembling now... Amazon has a special deal with customs so I can get direct from them to my door in a week, sometimes less.

FWIW, my buddy checked his local area in MA for the pump. He owns a transmission repair shop and gets wholesale discounts and couldn't get the same pump cheaper than $180. Not sure how partsgeek has a "new" pump for $100 with no core charge.

 

I never bothered to read the earlier posts here but the NA and SRT use different pumps as you know, the SRT has the oil cooler outlet on it for one thing. Some places do not know this and quote the same pump for both. I am not sure if it's true in this case but does happen. The NA pump is about $100 or so give or take. The SRT pump costs twice as much or more.

 

The Cardone website breaks them out with different part numbers for the SLK32 vs SLK320 (n/a). That's why I ordered by part number instead of by vehicle. I'll let you guys know how it goes and if the Cardone Select 55-83333 is correct and has the extra mount location.

 

For info:
Cardone Select part# 55-83333 is the correct pump for the SLK32/SRT-6 and can be found for around $100 from partsgeek.com

2 things to note:

1 - If you are mounting a pulley in the unused hole above the alternator, ensure you drill it out before mounting to the correct size for your bolt PRIOR to mounting... (only applies to people with PSK setups)

2 - the 2 holes at the top, which the black bracket screw onto, may need to be tapped. Mine had non-threaded holes. You will also want to do this prior to mounting.

Other than that, it is a perfect match. It's also brand new and not a reman.

Cheers,
~ Alan

 

Strange thing is that PartsGeek has the NA pump listed as $107.25 which is six bucks more than their SRT pump.
The SRT pump has the oil cooler hole drilled out.
The NA price is about right for these pumps but the Cardone price for the SRT is at least $90 cheaper than elsewhere.

 

Thanks man!! You just saved me $90.

 

I was just trying to clear up the confusion of "the cheap pump is for the N/A" statement I've seen in several threads and provide people with a known good part #. The best way to get the right part is to order by part #.

Glad to give back to this forum when I can!

 

I almost forgot to mention. This pump comes with a new rubber gasket and a flat gasket.
As the stock pump only used the rubber gasket, I didn't add the flat gasket.