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How to I change the water pump

Tiny
JAMES GUSTAFSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 98,000 MILES
How to change the water pump on a 1997 Ford Thunderbird 3.8 v/6
Monday, September 3rd, 2012 AT 3:57 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

You must start by draining the coolant from the radiator to empty the system. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job. There is a video as well in the guide (bottom).

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/water-pump-replacement

Here is what it will be like for your car (below)

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
BSND11
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Engine Cooling problem
1994 Ford Thunderbird 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 120000 miles

there is some metal tubing comming out of the top of the water pump in a v configuration, one is a short bypas hose, the other disappears under the intake. I have removed the attachment screw, but can't break it loose. Don't know if it's threaded or what. All other bolts, hoses, etc. Have been removed, but that metal line is preventing removal, and on the new pumps it's not included?
Any suggestions?
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Tube is fitted with O ring probably stuck. Spray a little WD 40 and rotate pump back and forth while pulling down hole tube with pliers.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BKINSTLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Did you ever fix this problem? I'm suffering from the exact same issue on the exact same type of car right now. I've been trying for 2 hours to get that pipe out and it's only moved a couple mm. Tried the WD40 already with very little luck.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ARCANGEL13
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD
Engine Cooling problem
1994 Ford Thunderbird V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I have a 1994 ford thunderbird lX v8 4.6L, the problem is that the car overheated and pressure built up and was blowing anti-freeze out of the reservoir tank. The over heating caused the water pump to start leaking. I have replaced the water pump, thermostat recently, I replaced the radiator about a year ago due to a crack. After replacing the water pump and thermostat the problem stopped for a few days and it just arose again today after driving the car for 15 minutes and then driving the car under 10 MPH for an additional 10 minutes. I bought a reservoir cap from autozone (the exact same cap that was already on it), and the problem is still continuing. Any help would be appreciated.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Verfy cooling fan operation. Should be on when A/C is on and come on at @190 temp.
Let me know
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ARCANGEL13
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The cooling fan does run. Not when the with A/C on though because A/C is currently having problems but it has come on when the car reached the proper temp.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Check to see if bottom radiator hose is collapsing
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PBREWER21
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD
My 95 ford thunderbird 4.6 liter V8 has been over heating. I replaced the water pump, thermostate, and few censors. My fan kicks on but only when the heat is on but it does not cool the car down. What could be the problem.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The radiator could be clogged but from constant overheating, you may have damaged the head gaskets. Get a leak down test done to confirm

Roy
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 130,000 MILES
I'm replacing a water pump. The old one will not come off. What can I do? I don't want to damage the engine.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TAT2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD
Engine Cooling problem
1997 Ford Thunderbird 6 cyl Automatic

My engine over heated and someone looked at it as told me that I needed to replace the water pump I need to find out how to do this. I have found many different ways which one is the right way.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
3.8L V6 - VIN [4] -1997 Ford Thunderbird LX

WATER PUMP

Removal
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Drain cooling system. Remove accessory drive belt(s) and water pump pulley. Remove electric cooling fan motor and shroud, if necessary. Remove power steering pump pulley. Remove water pump-to-power steering pump brace.

CAUTION:When bolts are removed, note if sealant is applied to threads. Some bolts are coated with sealant to prevent coolant leakage.

2. Disconnect coolant hoses as necessary. Remove water pump bolts and nuts. Note bolt location. Note if sealant is applied to bolt threads. Remove water pump assembly.

Installation

1. Install gasket using Gasket and Trim Adhesive (D7AZ-19B508-AA). To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Lightly oil threads of bolt and stud not containing thread sealant. 2. If bolts originally contained thread sealant, clean and reapply thread sealant to bolts. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Fill cooling system. 3. Bleed air from cooling system by removing vent plug from elbow on intake manifold behind thermostat housing. DO NOT rotate plastic cap under vent plug, or gasket may be damaged. Fill cooling system until coolant flows from vent plug. Install and tighten vent plug to 11 ft. Lbs. (15 N.M).
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DJWOOD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
1987 Ford Thunderbird 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 200000 miles

How do you change a water pump in my car? Can You give step by step instructions?
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic1_551.jpg

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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 14,459 MILES
My car was over heating at first, so I put a new water pump thermostat and radiator. I just put new spark plugs and did oil change. My car wil start up and go but it seems like it is missing
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Does it have white smoke? Did this start after the overheat? You may have damaged a head gasket from the overheating

Roy
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 AT 11:56 AM (Merged)

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