Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Anyone else had this problem??

In the past 6 months today will be the second time that Ford has replaced my water pump. I know water pumps going out are common with the Contours but twice in the last 6 months. This is annoying. Anyone else have this problem?

Has the tensioner been replaced? I recall that's gotta be replaced as well, think it's in a Ford Service TSB.

Inside the water pump housing, there is a metal washer that directs the coolant flow. Fairly often, it seems, this works loose from the housing, and causes the water pump to fail, by rubbing/interfering with the impeller.
If they replaced the water pump and failed to notice this, it would cause a recurring problem such as you described.

The tensioner has been replaced. Thanks for the info about the metal washer coming loose. Anyone else have this same problem?

first i have heard of the metal washer. could this be what is causing the multiple failures? exactly where is this metal washer and how can it be identified, replaced, or repaired? we need to know these things!!!!!!!!!

No, you're not the only one who's needed multiple water pump replacements. When my pump went out at ~60k it took the dealer 4 replacement pumps before they managed to keep one running (I'm now at 105k). None of the 1st 3 pumps lasted even 10k miles, and one only made it to 2k (average wa maybr 4-5k). I have no idea whether or not the dealer was properly cleaning out the washer or not. I got pretty pissed at the dealer, but eventually they managed to put a functional water pump in! All of the subsequent replacements after the 1st one was on their dime, of course, that's why I kept going back to them.