The water pump is the guts of the Ford Windstar’s cooling system; and if it goes dangerous, it could possibly trigger more problems than simply overheating. Continued overheating will take a toll in your engine and cause severe damage, corresponding to a blown head gasket. When you hear any noise coming from the water pump when the motor is working or in the event you see it leaking across the pump, then chances are the bearing is shot, and it is advisable to substitute it.
Ford Windstar Water Pump Installation Instructions
1. Wait for the engine to chill down then disconnect the adverse battery cable with a wrench to loosen the nut on the terminal.
2. Drain the coolant into a container by opening the drain valve on the bottom of the radiator. The valve is a butterfly kind that may be opened by hand. If the coolant is clear, you can re-use it.
3. Loosen the alternator with the proper-sized socket and ratchet enough so that you can push it towards the rear of the van. Take away the accessory drive belt when done.
4. Remove the water pump pulley with the correct-sized wrench.
5. Detach the drive belt tensioner with the socket and ratchet.
6. Take away the lower radiator and heater hose from the water pump with a flat head screwdriver to loosen the clamps.
7. Unscrew the bolts from the water pump with the socket and ratchet then pull it away from the engine.
8. Clear the old gasket away from the water pump mounting surface with a scraper.
9. Place a new gasket on the water pump mounting floor utilizing gasket sealant to carry it in place.
10. Set up the water pump pulley onto the pump then set it on the water pump mounting surface.
11. Safe the mounting bolts onto the water pump and tighten them snugly with the socket and ratchet.
12. Hand-tighten the water pump pulley bolts.
13. Reinstall the automated belt tensioner and tighten the retaining nuts with the socket and ratchet.
14. Install the accent belts and pull the alternator in direction of the front of the van to pull the belts tight. Tighten the alternator with the socket. Seek advice from the belt routing diagram on the fan shroud if necessary.
15. Tighten the water pump pulley bolts with the socket.
16. Reconnect the radiator and heater hoses to the water pump and tighten the clamps with the screwdriver.
17. Refill the engine coolant system.
18. Reconnect the unfavorable battery terminal and start the engine. Examine for any leaks.
