99 4.0 water pump

[gozz]

I have been leaking coolant from the water pump for a while, I haven't done anything because it wasn't leaking much and the truck has about 185k on it. Well now it seems to have picked up so I am going to replace the old water pump--are there any tips, tricks, or gotchas that you fellows might know about? Its a 1999 ranger 4.0 4x4 xlt, 5 speed.

 

[woodyedmiston]

Simple task

I'm assuming you have not been putting water into this thing for the last year while it slowly leaks . . . if not you won't have too much rust - inside. But still . . before I twisted a bolt, I'd flush the radiator and get as much crud out as possible. Also go to the car wash and wash all of the crap off the underside and around the radiator.

The kicker with this deal is the fan clutch - assuming it has one.

Don't try to do this with the radiator in it - you'll loose all the respect of your neighbors as you cuss the process. Drain it, take off the hoses, pull the shroud off and hang it over the fan. Pull the two bolts out that hold in the radiatior and set it aside when no one will trip over it.

You will need to rent, borrow or . . . a set of wrenches to unscrew the clutch from the fan - then you can take out the bolts and do the regular thing with the dozen or so 10mm bolts that hold on the water pump.

Autozone et. al. rent the tool pretty cheap. The jaws of the big wrench will sometimes be sprung to the point you can use them - watch for that when you rent them.

Good luck

 

[gozz]

Thanks for the tips, I have always used 50/50 coolant and water, it isn't leaking much maybe a cup every two weeks. It does look tight so removing the radiator is a good idea.

 

[gozz]

I replaced my water pump today. There is plenty of room with the radiator still in, I just took an old towel and draped it over the radiator. The hardest part of this job was cleaning off the old sealer/gasket.