Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Water pump?

I noticed last Monday that my 95 Contour, 2.5L was running very hot, near overheating. Keeping an eye on the gauge, the temperature would suddenly drop down to normal, then start heating up again. I tought this was a thermostat, although I now know otherwise. Could the cheap water pump impeller be spinning around loose, and then catching on the shaft once in a while? I gues tomorrow AM I am pulling the pump, unless someone thinks it's something else.

take your other car to pick up the new water pump!!!!! make sure and get the lifetime one with the metal impeller. this is not to tuff of a job. good luck. the only thing i worry about is where do all the little impeller parts go?

I hope I can find the metal one Sunday morning. Is the plastic that bad? This one lasted 85000 miles.

Autozone carries the metal one for $70, online or at the stores. Good luck... -Nick

This topic came back over and over, veteran members may got fatigue to chip back in...

As mentioned by Terry Haines, Stainless steel 'cone plate' in the rear part of the w/pump housing comes loose and get caught in the impeller's way, that causes the breakup! Make sure you check this too!

Dave

Thanks for everyone's input. I had to fix the car on Sunday, since I needed it on Monday, and had no other car available that day. Autozone did not have the pump in stock, and could get it to me on Monday. The only one I could find, and I called many stores (over half are closed on Sunday) was a Mogul unit, which is plastic. Despite everyone's warnings, I got it anyway. My rational, was A, I needed it right away, otherwise I would have to rent a car, or miss work, and B. the first one lasted 85,000 miles, which is not terrible. I don't envision owning the car for another 85,000 miles, maybe 50,000.
Installation was a breeze. I did not follow the Haynes manual instructions though. Disconnected the battery, and removed it. Removed the pulley cover, the belt, and then ALL the bolts from the pump, long and short. I placed a bucket underneath to catch the antifreeze. The pump pops right off. To install, reverse procedure, using gasket sealer on the gasket. Tools required: 7mm, 8mm, 10mm 1/4 inch sockets, and 10 mm open end wrench. About 1.5 hours.

PS: the impeller was intact. Just spinning on shaft.