Installing a new water pump on a '95 Ford Taurus

The water pump on my car developed a leak in its rotating seal and started to hemorrhage coolant. Here's how I replaced the water pump.

Step 1 Disconnect the battery

Disconnecting the battery is a good first step for almost any car repair. Now you don't have to worry about shorting/frying anything expensive or pesky radiator fans turning on and chopping your hands off.

Comments

[ckeith3]

You need to let the RTV set for at least an hour before putting the pump back on otherwise you risk squishing out all the RTV with most of it going into the pump to cause issues later. RTV "skins" at an hour and takes 24 hours to fully cure. The best way would be to RTV the new part and let it set for 1 hour, then put the part on and only apply the bolts finger tight, then wait 24 hours before bolting it down securely. Aluminum water pumps require very little force on the bolts, the torque rating is usually something very low, around 30ft/lbs which is something like "just snug". Overtightening the bolts can lead to snapping the bolt, cracking the water pump housing or breaking the gasket seal.

[dustypcoletrain]

Thats about how much rtv silicone I tend to use. I have done at least a dozen water pumps and never had any problems or leaks doing it that way. Nice Work!

[lemonie]

I don't understand why you're using silicone sealant, since a new gasket ought to do the job. Does this bit of the engine suffer from poor design and bad gaskets, is that why the thing failed initially?

L

[Calorie]

Please read my comments below. All engine components have a rough life span. Some wear out more quickly than others. The Taurus was actually a good car. It's just that everything comes to an end. The cooling system is an inhospitable place, with large temperature differences and high pressures. By leaking the way it did the water pump fulfilled its function. There are small holes called "weep holes" on the surface of the water pump housing. The only time coolant comes out of them is when the bearing seal is compromised. By leaking visibly, you are given a warning well before corrosion destroys the water pump bearing and causes very serious problems.

[Calorie]

You did a nice job. I do use a sealant on the gaskets for two reasons. One, you need something to keep the gasket from shifting out of place on the water pump itself while you are wrestling it into place. Two, a very light smearing on both sides of the gasket is a bit of cheap insurance. As far as removing the old pump, I would recommend using a rubber mallet. In case you don't have one, wrap a couple of rags around the head of the hammer and tap around the accessible areas of the water pump housing. The chisel could lead you to a nasty gouge on the face of the housing, and then your problems would really begin. Excellent job. I personally never have the patience to take pictures while I am working on my car.

[gentry]

You might want to replace that serpentine belt too while you're at it. It looks pretty cracked. And you really don't need any goo on your gasket, just good clean, smooth surfaces.

[trebuchet03]

I'm fairly certain these are the same instructions for the Mazda 323 of similar years ;)