Hi all,

I'm in Australia (2004 XF Limited non-SRT) and need to source a water pump locally (shipping cost and timeframe would make Needswings impractical for me). I can get a hold of Gates, Protex, GMB, SKF, and Tru-Flow.

Does anyone know if any of these options are a surefire replacement or should be avoided?

Many thanks,

Mark

 

Nobody knows who made the genuine Mercedes one but even if you get a genuine one you have to tap a few holes at the top. I think Gates or SKF would be ok.

 

OEM MB water pump is Graf. OE pump straight from MB do not have threads. You self tap them by using the bolts to the block.

 

That is not confirmed some people think SKF is the OEM, there are no markings on the genuine Mercedes like other parts. You can use the bolts to tap them or a M6 tap.

 

Ended up ordering a GMB because it will be here tomorrow!

 

UnderTheSouthernCross Be advised there are several different length screws securing the water pump. It is helpful to lay the new pump near your work area and as you remove each screw place it in the new pump's proper position. When you get the old pump off the car you now have all the screws in their correct spots to reinstall. Easy to mess this up; Be careful.

 

Order from Needswings. Rob will make sure you get one ready to go.

 

The OP is in Australia. As he orderd he gets it tomorrow local.

 

Well the GMB came in......wrong part! Was for the supercharged motor. BTW the Cam sensor holes were unthreaded.

Now got a Gates.....right part, cam sensor holes unthreaded.

So I now have a set of taps to go with my torx sockets and bits, a torque wrench, and some blue threadlock.

Will draw up a template for keeping track of the correct bolt positions.

I'm ready to go with this over the weekend. Wish me luck!

 

GOOD LUCK! I to have a Gates water pump as a replacement on my Limited. It has 70,000 miles on it and continues to work fine.

PS The cam sensor bolts directly to the engine block at the #1 cylinder. There is a bracket (two screws) that holds the MAP sensor and the auxiliary air pump solenoid that bolts to the water pump. Perhaps it is those two holes that require tapping? I do not remember tapping any holes, but it was a long time ago.

 

Just use the original bolt -- they will self tap.

Make sure to put the wiring harness BEHIND the water pump, not in front where it will be cut by the serpentine belt. Also make sure it does not get pinched to the block.

Common issue with first timers.

 

Success! New water pump fitted and all is good! Took much longer than expected so I was glad I cleared the day

Making the bolt hole template and drawing out the belt path at the start were very good ideas indeed. Tapping the two holes was easy and worked a charm.

The only real difficulty I had was with the hose clamp. A set of plumbers pliers is what you need here. Without those you are never going to be able to actuate that pesky clamp!

Interestingly, my car uses the flat fibre gasket not the rubber one. I wonder when things changed and why? My car was built 04/2004.

Cheers and thanks for all the advice!