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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12 |
I read a lot on this forum about water-pump issues on the duratec.
I have a Ford contour (98 - 4cyl. - 91,000miles - auto), and I have a problem with the coolant which keeps going out by the overfill hose. Each time I add some to the maximum level (or even below this level), after driving a few miles, the coolant goes away by this hose, and reaches a very low level.
-the temperature gauge stays in the middle
-the heater still blow hot air
Can it be a water pump problem ?
Is this problem occurs also on the zetec ?
How can I check it by myself ? Is it the same way to replace it on the zetec and on the duratec ?
Because I didn't find any explanation about the zetec...
Thanks for your help
Vincent
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693 |
It isn't likely that the water pump is your problem.
What is the overall condition of the coolant and the cooling system? If you have old gunky coolant and a restricted radiator, that alone culd be your problem.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12 |
Yes, the coolant looks pretty dirty...
I tried to do a coolant change as explained in the 'how to' section, but I didn't manage to reach the petcock to drain the radiator...
I just bought this car and I have no idea if the coolant has ever been changed...
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
CEG road warrior
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CEG road warrior
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248 |
Try changing the thermostat. 
Hector
2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
257HP/259TQ
2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s
RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED
160HP/141TQ
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 183
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 183 |
I found it easier to pull the bottom hose on the 4's than to open the valve. On the 6 it is easy to get to the valve.
Rich S
1998 SVT
1995 Contour 2.5 MTX 215K miles Son's car(dead and buried)
1997 Contour 2.0 ATX
1998 Contour 2.5 ATX
2004 Tauras Wagon 3.0 Duratec
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12 |
I got the coolant flushed and the thermostat changed. But the mechanic told me that the car still overheats, and that the radiator is probably partially clogged (since the coolant was very dirty), and has to be changed.
$164 for the radiator + $130 for the labor. Does it sound like the right price to you ?
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
CEG road warrior
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CEG road warrior
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248 |
That quote is about right....the radiator sucks to change! 
Hector
2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
257HP/259TQ
2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s
RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED
160HP/141TQ
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 980
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 980 |
Originally posted by LocoSCZ:
the radiator sucks to change!
Doesn't suck as much as the waterpump though... If you're already going to be spending some money, try some of the radiator products that claim to clean it out. However, I'm pretty sure that you have to drain those out of the radiator which appears to be a problem...
2000 Mystique LS
Duratec 2.5L MTX
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,459
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,459 |
The flush kits like the ones Prestone makes work fairly well. You can buy a bottle of radiator cleaner solution, and a flush kit for probably 12-15 $. The flush kit is a plastic tee that splices into the heater hose. You fasten a garden hose to the tee, and run water backwards through the system, flushing all sorts of gunk out of the system. You can then add the cleaner solution, drive the vehicle for a few minutes or a few hours (depending on the brand of cleaner) and then flush with the garden hose again. I just did this on my Crown Victoria, and I got a tremendous amount of junk out of the radiator and engine block.
95 Contour Zetec, ATX (wrecked, sitting in the barn)
95 Mystique Zetec, MTX
2000 Taurus SEL 3.0L Duratec
1994 Crown Victoria LX 4.6 V8
1993 Chevy Silverado 4.3 V6
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,975
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,975 |
Originally posted by bentleywarren:
The flush kits like the ones Prestone makes work fairly well. You can buy a bottle of radiator cleaner solution, and a flush kit for probably 12-15 $. The flush kit is a plastic tee that splices into the heater hose. You fasten a garden hose to the tee, and run water backwards through the system, flushing all sorts of gunk out of the system. You can then add the cleaner solution, drive the vehicle for a few minutes or a few hours (depending on the brand of cleaner) and then flush with the garden hose again. I just did this on my Crown Victoria, and I got a tremendous amount of junk out of the radiator and engine block.
YES, do that first.
Put it here...
The waterpump you can do with about 1 hour and 3 tools because you have a post98 not pre97, where they need to remove the timing belt to do it 
1992 Ford Escort LX-E
-Tracer LTS spoiler
-GT Grille
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