How to Repair a Ford Explorer Water Pump

The water pump in your Ford Explorer is responsible for pushing the coolant through the engine to maintain a safe engine operating temperature. A failing water pump can cause your Explorers engine to overheat. In extreme cases, this can cause severe damage to the engine block. If the water pump in your Explorer needs to be replaced, purchase a new one from an auto parts store or Ford dealership.

Instructions

Remove the negative battery cable, using a wrench to loosen the cable from the terminal.

Place a clean drain pan beneath the radiator drain plug. Unscrew the radiator cap. Push a small piece of 3/8-inch-diameter hose onto the drain plug on the radiator. Use a pair of pliers to turn the drain plug, loosening it. Allow all of the coolant to drain from the radiator.

Remove the bolts securing the fan shroud to the radiator using a wrench or socket and ratchet. Slide the shroud toward the engine to free it from the radiator. Pull the shroud out of the engine compartment. Remove the cooling fan mounting bolts that run to the clutch assembly. Pull the cooling fan free of the engine compartment.

Loosen the bolts on the water pump pulley. Turn the tensioner bolt on the tensioner pulley counterclockwise to loosen the tension on the drive belt. Remove the drive belt from the pulleys. Pull the water pump pulley off the mounting bracket and out of the engine compartment.

Loosen the hose clamps with a flat-head screwdriver and remove the water pump hoses from the water pump. Remove the bolts securing the water pump to the engine. There will be between nine and 12 bolts securing the pump.

Clean any remnants of the old gasket from the engine mount area with a putty knife or gasket scraper. Clean the surfaces of the engine mount area and the water pump mounting area with paint thinner or acetone on a clean rag.

Apply gasket sealant to the engine mount area. Apply a thin bead of gasket sealant to the mounting area of the water pump. Position the water pump carefully and position a few mounting bolts while holding it securely in place.

Install the remaining mounting bolts and torque them to the manufacturers specification depending on which engine is in your Explorer. Reattach the water pump hoses and secure them with hose clamps.

Replace the water pump pulley and secure the mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts with a socket and ratchet. Torque the bolts to 15 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Reinstall the drive belt across the pulleys in the same path as you removed it. Tighten the tensioner bolt on the tensioner pulley by turning it clockwise to tighten the drive belt until it is secure on the pulleys.

Reinstall the cooling fan, securing it with the mounting bolt. Torque the mounting bolt to the manufacturers specification based on the year of your Explorer. Reinstall the fan shroud and secure it with the retaining bolts.

Refill the radiator and cooling system with a 50-50 blend of antifreeze and water. Fill the coolant reservoir to the lower level. Replace the radiator cap and test run the engine.