Water Pump Going South?

W

wgr2112

Registered
I was working on my 93 last weekend. replacing my air compressor bushings. I put it all back together and was listening to the engine.

What I heard sounded like a spoon trying to clean the very last Spaghetti-O out of the metal can. You know the sound, kind of hollow. I couldn't really isolate it. I have already replaced the idler pulley a few thousand miles ago.

While driving it home, the temp was up to the "N" in Normal, but didn't overheat. I wasn't driving fast or hard at the time, about 35. The overflow bottle was full. The temp late went down to where it usually stays after driving it a little further.

I'm not low on Antifreeze, so I know that isn't the problem. I haven't opened up the system. I'm not sure if the Thermostat has been replaced.

I'm thinking water pump. Anyone have any other suggestions or experience with this?
 
A/C compressor maybe? see if the front part is loose, sometimes they make a metallic jingling noise. it sometimes will stop if you turn on the a/c.
 
The water pump is so easy to replace on these cars, you might just replace it as a troubleshooting tool. This is assuming you have greater than 50K miles on it.
 
It didn't sound like the noise was coming from as far down as the A/C compressor. I was thinking tensioner pulley, water pump or power steering.

The car has almost 140k on it, surely it's the original water pump.
 
most common is both tensioner and idler pulleys, and water pump. take the serpentine off and manually spin the idler, tensioner and water pump pulleys. the tens and idler are the same pulley, you can get two new ones for about 30 bucks at autozone, i would change those, the water pump and belt if it has 140k on it, its all cheap enough.
 
I'll do a little more checking and let you know what I come up with.

A/C compressor wouldn't necessarily explain the higher than normal temperature. I didn't hear any squeaking or smell any burning rubber from a belt.

Then again, the two symptoms may not be related.

I feel like Dr. House!
 
wgr2112 said:
I'll do a little more checking and let you know what I come up with.

A/C compressor wouldn't necessarily explain the higher than normal temperature. I didn't hear any squeaking or smell any burning rubber from a belt.

Then again, the two symptoms may not be related.

I feel like Dr. House!
Click to expand...

Is the AC clutch siezed up?
 
The A/C compressor is working fine, that much I do know.

I'll have time tonight to investigate a little more.
 
I had a chance to look things over. It was dark, but I had a really good light. The water pump pulley was all over the place! It was much more visible with the light that during the day.

I'm almost certain this is the problem. Looks like it's easy to replace, I'll do a search for some instructions.

Thanks guys!
 
The only thing easier to replace is the alternator. :p

Drain the radiator. Remove the belt. Remove the water pump pulley by removing the 4 bolts on the face of the pulley. Remove the 4 bolts retaining the water pump to the block. Gently pry the pump loose and remove. Clean the block recess for the new o-ring seal. Lubricate the new o-ring seal with anti-freeze. Installation is the reverse of the removal.

Be sure to properly refill the coolant and burp the system if needed.
 
New water pump installed and all is right with the world!

Kudos to Ford for making it a simple swap.

Curse them for the crossover tube cap design! Why would you NOT put a hex head on that thing? Thank the tool gods for pipe wrenches!

Thanks for all the help and suggestions!
 
Good job.

These waterpumps are the easiest things to replace.

I remember doing one on an old Escort. What a pain that was. I'd rather do two oil filter adaptor plate gaskets on a Mark.:D
 
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