Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Getting to know my good ol 'Tour

Hey,
I have a 99 Contour SE Sport with 2.5L Duratec V6 and an automatic transmission. I just had a few questions to ask about my engine compartment area. I am trying to learn where to find some things and I have a hard time following lines and stuff because everything is so cramped, I love my Contour more than anything but damn, there's no way to get to anything in there. Somebody mentioned there was a Power Steering cooler, I did not know that. I see there are 2 sets of lines under the bumper. One set is out in front of the A/C condensor andi it has some fins on the top line, then it loops back and goes way into the engine. There is another set that come out and one line goes into the radiator and the other line comes out at the bottom and the 2 then converge behind the radiator and run along the bottom back into the engine. It looks like these go to the tranny if I am correct. Does that mean the lines in front of the condensor right behind the bumper are for the power steering? I am also curious to know where the water pump is? I can find the p/s pump, A/C compressor, a couple or idler/tensioner pullies, and the alternator. Does the water pump have its own belt? Thanks to all who reply, I just want to learn more about my engine and this is the best place to do it.

The set of lines that runs through the finned single line is the P/S cooler & lines.

The lines running to & from the radiator are from the transmission. (internal trans cooler) Not an ideal setup (lowers radiator's efficiency), but adequate for normal use.

A good setup would use the SVT radiator & an auxillary trans cooler.

Thanks for the help, before I always figured that there were just 2 transmission coolers, one out front and one through the radiator. I didn't realize the power steering got so hot. I am not too worried about my radiator efficiancy as long as the engine doesn't overheat. I have had to drive in 95 degree stop and go traffic, and my temp gauge didnt move so much as a milimeter. Generally speaking I dont' drive in heavy traffic though. What about water pump though, I can't seem to find it anywhere near the serpentine belt, where is it located, and does it have its own belt?

Strike that previous post, lol. I have been doing some more "exploring" and was able to find the water pump quite easily through the diagram under the hood (duh! :rolleyes: ). I was also able to re-aim my headlights (after the dealership had them pointed almost straight up), which was very easy to do.

I was almost going to mention that! Darn .. to think I would actually have been helpful on this topic...

If you would like to know more about your engine, go ahead and replace the water pump. (Seriously; I mean do it NOW!) I swear Ford execs were having brain farts when they designed the Contour and decided to put a PLASTIC water pump in. It has a tendency to fall apart, causing your engine to overheat. Buy a new water pump with a metal impeller, and replace it soon. While you're under there I guarantee you'll find out more about where things lie in the engine.

the waterpump belt is located under the black cover on the engine toward the drivers side of the engine....i've been told on here that it a very easy job doing the belt