{"product_id":"performance-water-pump-kit-for-mercedes-benz-slk-class-2012-2016-3-5l","title":"Performance Water Pump Kit for Mercedes Benz SLK-Class (2012-2016) 3.5L","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: clamp(18px, 3vw, 21px); margin-bottom: 15px; line-height: 1.3;\"\u003eComplete Cooling System \u0026amp; Accessory Drive Refresh Kit for 2012-2016 Mercedes Benz SLK-Class (R172)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat it Does:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Performance Water Pump Kit refreshes the entire primary cooling and front-end accessory drive circuit on the 2012-2016 Mercedes Benz SLK-Class to eliminate thermal runaway risks and maintain precise coolant flow under high engine loads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Stock Mercedes Benz SLK-Class Thermal \u0026amp; Belt Drive Weaknesses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFactory cooling components on the naturally aspirated \u003cstrong\u003eM276\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.5L V6 degrade significantly under continuous heat-cycling. The factory water pump mechanical shaft seal develops micro-weeps over time, causing coolant cavitation, localized cylinder head hot spots, and bearing play. Compounding this, the composite thermostat housing is vulnerable to internal bypass valve sticking and hairline flange fractures. Concurrently, thermal fatigue softens the spring-loaded belt tensioner and hardens idler pulley bearings in the \u003cstrong\u003eR172\u003c\/strong\u003e engine bay, introducing parasitic drag, belt slip, and decreased impeller RPM that risks severe engine overheating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Engineering Solution\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis comprehensive service assembly restores baseline thermal hydraulic dynamics using an OEM-grade mechanical water pump engineered with reinforced internal bearings and a heavy-duty unitized shaft seal. The included thermostat housing assembly features a calibrated wax element ensuring exact opening temperatures for optimal combustion efficiency. Paired with a precision-damped serpentine belt tensioner, hardened idler pulley, and heavy-duty EPDM serpentine drive belts, this kit maintains optimal belt grip and stable coolant flow velocity. Pre-matched elastomeric gaskets and high-temperature O-rings ensure direct-fit sealing without reliance on RTV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 Mechanical Water Pump Assembly\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 Water Pump Gasket\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Assembly with Thermostat\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 Serpentine Belt Tensioner Assembly\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 Idler Pulley with Mounting Hardware\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2 Serpentine Drive Belts\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 O-Ring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"overflow-x: auto; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctable width=\"100% style=\" border-collapse: collapse border: solid font-size: min-width:\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding:10px; text-align: left; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003eFitment\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e2012-2016 Mercedes Benz SLK-Class\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding:10px; text-align: left; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003eEngine \/ Chassis\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eM276\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.5L V6 \/ \u003cstrong\u003eR172\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr style=\"background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding:10px; text-align: left; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003eStock Output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e302 hp \/ 273 lb-ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding:10px; text-align: left; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003eReplaces OEM Part #\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:10px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2762001301\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e276200130180\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e276200130187\u003c\/strong\u003e, US8173, 147-2360\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2012-2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 (3.5L V6 Naturally Aspirated Gas)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions \u0026amp; Fitment Warnings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes this fit the R172 SLK-Class?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, this is a direct fit for the 2012-2016 Mercedes Benz SLK-Class equipped with the \u003cstrong\u003eM276\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.5L V6 engine. \u003cstrong\u003eDoes not fit 1.8L\/2.0L turbocharged inline-4 (SLK250\/SLK300) or 5.5L V8 (SLK55 AMG) models.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I need to bleed the cooling system after installing this kit?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the \u003cstrong\u003eM276\u003c\/strong\u003e architecture requires a complete vacuum purge and refill procedure to eliminate air pockets from the engine block, heater core, and thermostat passage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Mercedes Benz Precision Standard\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngineered to meet rigorous German roadster tolerances, this cooling package delivers factory-matched thermal heat extraction, zero Check Engine Lights, and long-term drivetrain reliability under aggressive driving conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"VelocityMax","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67937120780536,"sku":"DS-EW64YFDMK","price":174.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/1290\/2648\/files\/performance-water-pump-kit-for-mercedes-benz-slk-class-2012-2016-3-5l-1.jpg?v=1793635918","url":"https:\/\/performancechiptuning.com\/products\/performance-water-pump-kit-for-mercedes-benz-slk-class-2012-2016-3-5l","provider":"Performance Chip Tuning","version":"1.0","type":"link"}