Zetec Water Pump Removal (How to)

[grimple1]

Well I just got done replacing the water pump on my wife's 00 Focus ZX3 Zetec and I wanted to write a post on how I went about doing it. It's not a "simple" job as it takes some maneuvering to get that sucker out.

1. Jack front of car up.
2. Take off Radiator overflow tank from frame (1 x 10mm).
3. Remove bolts on Water Pump Pulley (3X 8mm wrench) (I took mine out from below after I loosened them from above).
4. Remove belt cover plastic from below (3x 10mm).
5. Flex tensioner pulley upward and remove serp. belt (15mm wrench).
6. Open Radiator overflow tank lid and Drain Radiator fluid via Radiator drain plug on lower driver side.
7. W/ wood block and jack support the engine's oil pan.
8. Remove passenger side motor mount w/ engine FIRMLY supported (2 x 19mm , 3 15mm).
9. Remove water pump bolts (4x 8mm? wrench)
10. Lower engine slightly and snake water pump pulley out downward.
11. Water pump downward next (I had to go up and down til I hit a magic spot).

Install is in reverse w/ burping radiator at the end.

It took me a bit of time as there's not much wiggle room for the pulley and pump to exit the vehicle. Why ford didn't enlarge the indention in the frame railing so to allow easy removal and installation is beyond me. (if you don't know what I'm talking about, you soon will).

First time doing it and it took me 2.5 hrs with the Haynes (which btw is useless in this situation b/c they show it coming out with the engine out of the car!! WTF!)

[scrammer]

this would be great if you had pics. but ill stickie this until Chad can get it into the How-To Forum.


for future reference, anyone who wishes to put together a how-to, please take pictures. this aids newbe's without much auto experience emmensily.

[grimple1]

sorry about not having pictures. It was a last minute fix (was dripping water)

I'd also like to add that I took off the A/C comp from it's pedistol. It's held in by 4 x13mm? very long bolts. They just zip right out. I just removed the bolts and let it swing out of the way. You can do this w/o loosing A/C freon. This should be considered step
9A.

Was looking at it this morning and realized I'd forgot to mention that.

[scrammer]

hm, i dont believe playing with the power-steering is needed. i didnt have to do that when replacing a pump on a friends FoFo.

dropping the engine IS necessary for the water pump to be removed. the indent in the cradle next to the pump just isnt large enough to wiggle the pump out of there.

[Andrius]

i believe a drop is needed in some focus. Mine for example. I need to replace my Water Pump Gasket (for some reason there is currently a LACK of one on my car... i dunno why) and the best I can do is tilt the water pump to about 75 degrees... won't come completely out of the engine though... that indent just isn't big enough!

any other trick to doing this without dropping the engine?

[S2]

Added to the 'How To Archive'....

[ejanzen]

I just used this procedure to change my water pump. The shop quoted me $600 to change it. I did it in 2 hours, since I had this procedure. The key was removing the A/C compressor. That gives you enough room to shift the engine so that the water pump comes out.

[illinipo]

our radiators dont really need burping the system is designed to remove air on its own over time

[Andrius]

Originally Posted by ejanzen

I just used this procedure to change my water pump. The shop quoted me $600 to change it. I did it in 2 hours, since I had this procedure. The key was removing the A/C compressor. That gives you enough room to shift the engine so that the water pump comes out.

I don't have AC so anyone have any other ideas on how to get my waterpump out without dropping the engine? I'm scared of that

[jezzej]

Just completed changing water pump on my Zetec 1.8
thanks for the advice as haynes obviously never did this job engine in.
hope these are some helpful points
I took off the A/C comp from it's pedistol as soon as i had the belt off
this makes undoing the water pump easier
as my engine has the round water pump you dont need to lower the engine.
after undoing the 4 bolts spin the water pump around so the pulley end is inside the housing. with care the pump pulley will now slip through the groove in the housing that is visible from the A/C comp view underneath.
with some gentle jiggling and turning the rest of the pump will follow.
try to observe how it comes out, because the new one needs to back in this way.
Job not to bad and no forcing was needed, its all about alignment.
anyway
thanks for advice as i would not of had a go without it.

[bazookajoe]

Haynes needs their butts kicked for their removal instructions in this case.

I have just finished and I am worn out. Thank you so much for posting this, as it is how I finally got the water pump out after a google search sent me to these forums. I am replacing the motor mount also, as I've had a vibration coming from that side for some time now.

Thanks again!

[MNELSON400]

To replace the water pump you need to remove engine mount and drop the engine. I've got the Haynes too and the show it motor out.... How long did it take Ya?