Replacing Water Pump?

[aklbear]

Hi, I have a 1992 XL, which has a terrible coolant leak on the left (driver's side) of the engine. It isn't possible to actually see the source of the leak--it seems to be behind a large armature that's at the front left side of the engine assembly. Revving the engine causes coolant to pour out from this area.

The previous owner had taken it to a shop, and they told him that it was the water pump, and that replacing it required removal of the engine. Repair estimate therefore was in the neighborhood of $1200 due to all the labor.

Does that sound correct? I have replaced water pumps before, but getting at this leak looks like a daunting task. I have an array of basic tools, but I do not have engine hoists and such.

I *have* searched the message archive, but I did not really find anything relevant (maybe I'm not searching in the best way?).

Many thanks for everyone's help!

 

[Cali' Explorer]

I can't say without seeing the engine specifically, but I can not imagine that any company would design the water pump so that it has to have the engine removed to replace the water pump. At that price, it would be cheaper to just buy a remanufactured engine and have it dropped in.

I would call their BS and take it to another shop for an estimate. Don't tell the other shop what you were previously given at the other shop, but if I was told over $300, I would immediately thank them and walk out because I wouldn't want that person working on my car.

 

[aklbear]

I agree with you. I will take a photo of the site of the leak and post tomorrow, because while I am not familiar with the Ford 4.0L, the leak site does not seem like a logical location for a water pump. This looks much more scary!

References to the pump here on the message board seem to indicate that it is behind the fan (where I would expect it to be).

 

[exinprogress]

I agree with you. I will take a photo of the site of the leak and post tomorrow, because while I am not familiar with the Ford 4.0L, the leak site does not seem like a logical location for a water pump. This looks much more scary!

References to the pump here on the message board seem to indicate that it is behind the fan (where I would expect it to be).

Right on. To get to replacing the pump, you remove the fan and its shroud (with a Ford specialty tool of course). and the pump comes right off. If it really is the water pump, it should really run you about $300 including parts and labor at a respectable shop.

 

[J. Kennedy]

yes, you will have to remove the fan. since you are replacing all the coolant anyway, you will make your job a lot easier if you remove the radiator, too. Once the radiator is out, the fan and H20 pump will be a lot easier to get at.

 

[aklbear]

Oops. I think I can pretty safely assume that the problem is not the water pump at this point--since everyone has confirmed its location. I will start another thread with some clever title like "Mystery Coolant Leak"