Do i need a new water pump?

C

Chunko

Registered
I took my car into a firestone earlier to get the serpentine belt and tensioner replaced. The guy who did the work said that he thinks the water pump needs replacement because he saw some fluid buildup underneath but wasnt sure what the fluid was.
The car drives nice and smooth but ive only had it for about 300 miles so far.
if its the pump, what brand is a good one(without breeaking the bank)?
 
There is a small weep hole on the bottom side of the water pump. When the seal in the water pump starts to leak, it leaks through this weep hole. Usually it starts out very small and is difficult to trace the source.

The stock Motorcraft pump is fine for stock applications. If you want to upgrade, some have used a Cobra pump or you can opt for an electric water pump.
 
ok thanks. But do you think i need to replace it yet? I have no overheats and the temp valve stays at normal level.the car also drives great as well.
 
Keep an eye on Coolent Level....and watch on ground below the front of engine....When you start seeing coolent coming out that weep hole, it doesn't fix itself!!
 
Good thing is.. the waterpump isn't expensive nor is it hard to replace.I wouldn't pay a firestone mechanic to fix it.

normal handtools and about 1 hour of inexperienced labor will get this job done.

The mechanic will "rape you, by the book time".
If I remember correctly all you need is a 10mm socket...
all the bolts are the same... it's not a hard job at all.
pulling the alternator off {again.. all 10mm bolts) makes the job ALOT easier.

Refilling the cooling system and getting all the air out is harder than installing the water pump.
 
"...saw some fluid buildup underneath but wasnt sure what the fluid was."

At that point I would have ran away!
 
Most brands have two different levels of water pump. The "come back in two years and do this again pump" and the "this will last forever pump". For a $30 increase you get a larger shaft, roller bearings, and ceramic seals.
 
sweet! Thanks for the info guys.
I'll gladly pay the extra $30 or so..what brand is it? Motorcraft?
Im still not sure i can do this at my apartment. im kinda worried i'll get a lease violation if they catch me and the coolant seems like it might make a mess?
*edit: I just ran a quick check at Murrays auto and i found 3 brands:Cardone,ASC and Motorcraft..The first 2 were around $40-$50 and the motorcraft was $118! WOW!
Let me know about them other 2 brands or a quality brand less than $100 LOL
 
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Chunko said:
sweet! Thanks for the info guys.
I'll gladly pay the extra $30 or so..what brand is it? Motorcraft?
Im still not sure i can do this at my apartment. im kinda worried i'll get a lease violation if they catch me and the coolant seems like it might make a mess?
*edit: I just ran a quick check at Murrays auto and i found 3 brands:Cardone,ASC and Motorcraft..The first 2 were around $40-$50 and the motorcraft was $118! WOW!
Let me know about them other 2 brands or a quality brand less than $100 LOL
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My bad...my brain was thinking about truck parts. Both regular duty and heavy duty water pumps are sold for Chevy 3500's and the like.

After looking at several stores, it looks like they're all the same...except for the Motorcraft which is overpriced.

As far as I know you can't go wrong with the new or reman pumps of any brand on our cars.
 
I paid like 67 dollars for my cobra water pump at Orielly's.

it has the improved impeller design that reduces cavitation and improves performance of the pump in general.

I believe it was for the 99 cobra..but cant remember zactly.
 
logres said:
My bad...my brain was thinking about truck parts. Both regular duty and heavy duty water pumps are sold for Chevy 3500's and the like.

After looking at several stores, it looks like they're all the same...except for the Motorcraft which is overpriced.

As far as I know you can't go wrong with the new or reman pumps of any brand on our cars.
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np man. thanks for clearing that up.

XLRVIII said:
I paid like 67 dollars for my cobra water pump at Orielly's.

it has the improved impeller design that reduces cavitation and improves performance of the pump in general.

I believe it was for the 99 cobra..but cant remember zactly.
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i never heard of Orielly's. But i guess its because the nearest one from me is about 20 miles or so..and the fact i have never really done any mechanical work in the past :mad: that will change soon!

I chose to get the duralast instead for $42 so i could also get my plugs and wires without putting too much of d hit on my budget. They are the normal motorcraft plugs but i got the duralst wires as they were out of motorcraft...2different brands shouldnt be a problem right?
 
Chunko said:
np man. thanks for clearing that up.


i never heard of Orielly's. But i guess its because the nearest one from me is about 20 miles or so..and the fact i have never really done any mechanical work in the past :mad: that will change soon!

I chose to get the duralast instead for $42 so i could also get my plugs and wires without putting too much of d hit on my budget. They are the normal motorcraft plugs but i got the duralst wires as they were out of motorcraft...2different brands shouldnt be a problem right?
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Actually, I think at $67 the Cobra pump is the way to go. The two Marks that I've owned had trouble staying cool in 90+ degree traffic with my 3000 stall converter and the AC on. Demanding conditions, but I can see why they improved the design...
 
logres said:
Actually, I think at $67 the Cobra pump is the way to go. The two Marks that I've owned had trouble staying cool in 90+ degree traffic with my 3000 stall converter and the AC on. Demanding conditions, but I can see why they improved the design...
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ok i'll take back the one i bought and go with the cobra pump. only problem is that i cant seem to find the one youre talking about. i checked oreillyauto.com and wasnt able to find it, although i didnt search all the cobra years.
Try to remember if you can, as i want to make sure i get the right part..my mark is a 94.
oh and i was thinking of getting this walbro fuel pump: 255-LPH High Pressure Walbro Fuel Pump - Ford Mustang Cobra 96-97,assuming its the right one?
 
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Chunko, Give me an hour or two and I'll call down to my local Oreilley store and see if I can get them to give me the part # for the pump I got..

Stand by sir.
 
Called the store, they want to know if it's the "long pump or the short pump"..and I cant remember..dammit.

The one I got was for the 99 cobra, and I cant remember what years had the long pump vs the short pump and I dont want to give you bad information.

What I would do....
Call Oreilley's and have them pull the stock mark 8 pump, and the 99 cobra pump..
that will tell them "whether the mark 8 uses the long pump or the short pump" and you'll get the right part.
 
Chunko said:
oh and i was thinking of getting this walbro fuel pump: 255-LPH High Pressure Walbro Fuel Pump - Ford Mustang Cobra 96-97,assuming its the right one?
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Yes, that is the correct one. You'll need to perform a minor modification (dramel grinding to open up the filter radius) to the frame to get it to fit, but it will work just fine.
 
XLRVIII said:
Called the store, they want to know if it's the "long pump or the short pump"..and I cant remember..dammit.

The one I got was for the 99 cobra, and I cant remember what years had the long pump vs the short pump and I dont want to give you bad information.

What I would do....
Call Oreilley's and have them pull the stock mark 8 pump, and the 99 cobra pump..
that will tell them "whether the mark 8 uses the long pump or the short pump" and you'll get the right part.
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Sweet man i'll give them a call tomorrow before i leave work!
logres said:
Yes, that is the correct one. You'll need to perform a minor modification (dramel grinding to open up the filter radius) to the frame to get it to fit, but it will work just fine.
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ok, im gone have to take it to the shop to have it installed. Should i just quote what you told me about the mod and also is motorcraft the best filter to use?..sorry if im asking many questions, just want to make sure this stuff gets done right
 
Chunko said:
Sweet man i'll give them a call tomorrow before i leave work!

ok, im gone have to take it to the shop to have it installed. Should i just quote what you told me about the mod and also is motorcraft the best filter to use?..sorry if im asking many questions, just want to make sure this stuff gets done right
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The modification will be obvious when the installer tries to put the pump into the assembly. As for the filter, I'm not sure.
 
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