Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Changing W/P in a Zetec tonight

I did search but I couldn't come up with answers. I guess early style Zetec Contour's have a different setup for the w/p than the 98+. Has anyone done a 97 and can give me any pointers.

Well I haven't done it myself but my mechanic said he would never ever do it again.

Lee you aren't very inspiring. I'm trying to help another CEGer in my area that PM'd me. It was easy on my V6 and I guess the early Zetecs aren't as difficult as later models. Still sound more lika a PITA than my V6. Wish I had my manuals at work.

You have to remove the Sepentine Belt, The Timing cover and the timing belt to get to it. I'm not sure if the Crank Pluuey has to come off or not. It is a major job. You may also want to look at doing the Timing belt while it's off. I started to do it. Then desided this would be better suited to someone who knows alot more about cars. I believe all year models of Zetec are the same in this respect.

to get the the water pump on a pre 98 you need to remove the timing belt. The water pump is behind the covers. This means you need to remove the upper motor mount, the one that looks like a C and support the engine. make sure you index the cams as they will move a bit but not to much. Also make sure you get the one time use spring to retension the timing belt tensioner. I would check for bad pullies and replace anything that looks poor when it comes out. Make sure to loosen the water pump pully first before taking the accessory belt off. in all you have to take the same steps you would take to replace the timing belt but add the water pump to it. Hope that helps

Thanks! I think I'm going to hand this job to someone that's more qualified than myself.

you wanna send them to my house when they get done with that one cause mine is heading south I think.

I did mine. Took me 6 hours and 15 minutes. That counts running to the parts store for the pump, and dinner time.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN 18MM SOCKET!!!

Its not the most difficult, just time consuming because of what all needs to come off. The coolant tank, the p/s pump, the engine support, the passenger side motor mount, the little clip that holds the p/s pressure hose, the exhaust manifolt heat shield, all three timing belt covers, the timing belt, the crankshaft pulley, the w/p pulley, the serp belt, the timing belt, the valve cover, and you need to disconnect the lower radiator hose.

I think that covers everything.

Drop me a pm or IM me. Exdelayed on AIM and Yahoo, 25511759 on ICQ.

BTW, I dropped under $90 for all the parts, new coolant, and new p/s fluid (I accidentally dumped mine).

Looks like I will be doing mine soon. I'm getting up there in miles and it is only going to cost me about $50 for the belt and the W/P and a days worth of work.