Bad water pump? | Ford Explorer Forums

  • Register Today It's free!

Bad water pump?

CJsproblems

Member
Joined
March 21, 2022
Messages
12
Reaction score
11
Location
Colorado
City, State
Greeley, Colorado
Year, Model & Trim Level
97 Mercury Mountaineer
,
Driving home morning in negative temperatures, temperature started rising, steam from engine bay, heater blowing cold and a leak from underneath below water pump. Bought new water pump and am wondering if I should be looking to replace anything else while I have it torn down?? Already expecting to take days loosening water pump bolts as this is the original on my 97, 5.0. Any recommendations on please???
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year or try it out for $5 a month.

Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





In negative temperatures, did you have a radiator freeze-up?
 






Driving home morning in negative temperatures, temperature started rising, steam from engine bay, heater blowing cold and a leak from underneath below water pump. Bought new water pump and am wondering if I should be looking to replace anything else while I have it torn down?? Already expecting to take days loosening water pump bolts as this is the original on my 97, 5.0. Any recommendations on please???
Replace your hoses.
 






Depending on how many miles are on your truck and how deep you want to go, you might want to look into new timing chain and gears while you are in there.
 






Could also be the timing cover leaking. That’s behind the water pump.

I’d get a pressure tester. Fill the system, pressurize it, find the leak.
 






In negative temperatures, did you have a radiator freeze-up?
No radiator fine, very clean antifreeze when I drained it. I bought this from og owner, she baby's if and so do I.definetly water pump.. I have removed fan,shroud drive pulley( good bearing)but it is still below freezing here and I had to stop I was too cold. Picking back up in morning after work.
 






Depending on how many miles are on your truck and how deep you want to go, you might want to look into new timing chain and gears while you are in there.
Thinking in terms of I am not a mechanic, what degree level of hardness would replacing suggested parts be?
 






Thinking in terms of I am not a mechanic, what degree level of hardness would replacing suggested parts be?
Id inspect them, and make sure the chains arent loose. then contact a mechanic to do the job for you.
 






Thinking in terms of I am not a mechanic, what degree level of hardness would replacing suggested parts be?
At this point the timing cover and front main seal, need replaced. The timing chain is inside

Timing chain itself very simple. Getting cover off, seal pressed out, new one in, and replacing cover, is very tricky. Some bolts will break off in the engine block.

Time for a good mechanic helper. Or, lots of schooling and cussing.

Timing chain and gear replacement parts should be best you can find. Factory used forged components, double roller. No cast stuff here
 






I was just going to say new Ford Coolant, thermostat, hoses, and a new serp belt!! WoW!!
 












At this point the timing cover and front main seal, need replaced. The timing chain is inside

Timing chain itself very simple. Getting cover off, seal pressed out, new one in, and replacing cover, is very tricky. Some bolts will break off in the engine block.

Time for a good mechanic helper. Or, lots of schooling and cussing.

Timing chain and gear replacement parts should be best you can find. Factory used forged components, double roller. No cast stuff here
I am very good at the scrubbing and cussing part and I will be replacing some hoses and I have a new serpent belt( cross country trips)I will keep you posted as I go have 2 long bolts being stubborn and am carefully working on them for the water pump. Thank you
 






Back and forth slowly with those bolts. The threads will be corroded, new bolts needed. Sometimes they will not slide out of timing cover . Slow is fast here
 






Make.sure you go back with a little dab of antiseize on those bolts at reassembly time.

Maybe try searching for some YouTube videos on how to lock and install a new timing chain set on that engine??
 






Make.sure you go back with a little dab of antiseize on those boots at reassembly time.

Maybe try searching for some YouTube videos on how to lock and install a new timing chain set on that engine??
Yeah, see, that's the issue. Those bolts get thread sealer. They are in the coolant path. That's why they are so swelled and rusty
 






Back and forth slowly with those bolts. The threads will be corroded, new bolts needed. Sometimes they will not slide out of timing cover . Slow is fast here
Thank you and I am scared to death of having 1 snap so sprayed the crap out of them yesterday and left them alone. Am on my way down to check them out now.
 












There are 4 bolts that go through the water pump and timing cover the block and land inside the water galley
So over time they corrode and swell and will often snap when being removed

If your waterpump is leaking and it’s never been done (97 was long time ago) the timing cover is also likely leaking. However since it is freezing out and you can verify the water pump was the leak and issue with cooling… I would just focus on that and plan to replace timing cover at another time

Water pump job very straight forwards once those 4 bolts are out
Good time to replace thermostat

If you do snap one of those
Bolts it is possible to put the water pump on with rtv and gaskets and get it to seal… with one or two of the bolts Mia. I only advise this just to get you to summer
I’ve done many 5.0 water pump and Timing cover leak repairs, so much so that I keep a new timing cover in stock

Here is a post with a ton of pictures of waterpump and timing cover

 






There are 4 bolts that go through the water pump and timing cover the block and land inside the water galley
So over time they corrode and swell and will often snap when being removed

If your waterpump is leaking and it’s never been done (97 was long time ago) the timing cover is also likely leaking. However since it is freezing out and you can verify the water pump was the leak and issue with cooling… I would just focus on that and plan to replace timing cover at another time

Water pump job very straight forwards once those 4 bolts are out
Good time to replace thermostat

If you do snap one of those
Bolts it is possible to put the water pump on with rtv and gaskets and get it to seal… with one or two of the bolts Mia. I only advise this just to get you to summer
I’ve done many 5.0 water pump and Timing cover leak repairs, so much so that I keep a new timing cover in stock

Here is a post with a ton of pictures of waterpump and timing cover

Thank you, I do appreciate the info. I was given an idea with Crayola crayons and a small heating torch from a diesel mechanic at work. I cleaned it super good and am going to try it on these bolts. I hope it works, I really need her back up asap.
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year or try it out for $5 a month.

Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





Wax does work and it works well
Heat is your best friend
Get those Bolts hot when they expand and the cool and contract they will break the rust seal and hopefully turn and come out
 






Back
Top