Overheatin' in a Duratec...

Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives

So get this... I overheated. I then thought, ok a hose bursted. WRONG!

The hoses are good. Looks like the thermostat wasn't opening the way it was suppose suppose to, replaced it... It's still doing the same.

Coolant Builds up in the res. tank. It doesn't get HOT, but it does get higher than it's suppose to.

Also, Im pondering the possibility of a clogged radiator?

I touch the hoses... the ones that lead to the intake plenum feel hot (left side of the motor). Which the lower radiator hose feels cold to the touch.

I don't get it... I'm stumped.

A little help please?

Sal

Do you have a V6? The 2.5L's are notorious for water pump deterioration. Relatively cheap and easy fix â�?��?? if nothing else damaged.

Another more ominous possibility is cylinder leakage (exhaust) into the water jacket. This would be very bad news as it would indicate a bad head gasket (at best). Similar result to what you describe: coolant forced out of block under exhaust pressure into the radiator and overflow tank.

A compression test might reveal it.

Try replacing the waterpump first

Originally posted by JEDsContour:
Do you have a V6? The 2.5L's are notorious for water pump deterioration. Relatively cheap and easy fix â�?��?? if nothing else damaged.

Another more ominous possibility is cylinder leakage (exhaust) into the water jacket. This would be very bad news as it would indicate a bad head gasket (at best). Similar result to what you describe: coolant forced out of block under exhaust pressure into the radiator and overflow tank.

A compression test might reveal it.

Try replacing the waterpump first

Ouch, don't scare me!

You think water pump eh? Hmm... Coolant is getting forced back into the tank.

Hmm, I may try that. But there are no signs of water pump failure. Is this common?

Sal

Also, how does one test the water pump? I mean, pressure is one way, but pressure comes with heat. So if it wasn't flowing, you wouldn't notice it.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Sal

Originally posted by SableSal:
Also, how does one test the water pump? I mean, pressure is one way, but pressure comes with heat. So if it wasn't flowing, you wouldn't notice it.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Sal

Your car is overheating. You replaced the T stat. If one side of your pipes are cold to the touch...I would say it's a safe bet that your pump is dead. IIRC yours is not the cam driven pump, so I have no personal experience with that [censored].

Get it fixed before you destroy it.

Yeah, I don't plan on destroying it.
I have another car to drive in the meanwhile...

I'll buy a pump and go from there. Although, do the Duratec Pumps go out without warning like that? Also, this pump is not leaking and the bearing felt good. I don't get it...

Anyhow, tomorrow is another day.

Sal

Originally posted by SableSal:
Yeah, I don't plan on destroying it.
I have another car to drive in the meanwhile...

I'll buy a pump and go from there. Although, do the Duratec Pumps go out without warning like that? Also, this pump is not leaking and the bearing felt good. I don't get it...

Anyhow, tomorrow is another day.

Sal

If it has that cheap plastic impellar yes it will just go.

the bearing can spin all day long, but if the impellar is gone...

Originally posted by SableSal:

Originally posted by JEDsContour:
Do you have a V6? The 2.5L's are notorious for water pump deterioration. Relatively cheap and easy fix â�?��?? if nothing else damaged.

Another more ominous possibility is cylinder leakage (exhaust) into the water jacket. This would be very bad news as it would indicate a bad head gasket (at best). Similar result to what you describe: coolant forced out of block under exhaust pressure into the radiator and overflow tank.

A compression test might reveal it.

Try replacing the waterpump first

Ouch, don't scare me!

You think water pump eh? Hmm... Coolant is getting forced back into the tank.

Hmm, I may try that. But there are no signs of water pump failure. Is this common?

Sal

Yes I think water pump. The plastic impellor comes loose from the shaft. No leakage, bearing is still good, no water is pumped.

Localized boiling in the engine will produce enough vapor to force out coolant.

Change the water pump. Simple job.

P.S. Why did you post this in 3.0L Duratec?

LOL, Sorry... It's cause I own a Sable and it's a 3L

Thanks for the info on the pump! On the aftermarkets, is this problem corrected? Or is it usually same as factory.

Sal

A GMB metal one. Go here and get it.

GMB Water pump

or go to Napa and get a Dura pro. The older Ford pumps with the black impellars are the ones with issue. Not sure if this was an issue on your car. If it's ealier than 99 they might have used the same material. Look for black pieces in the resevoir.

Originally posted by JEDsContour:

Originally posted by SableSal:

Originally posted by JEDsContour:
Do you have a V6? The 2.5L's are notorious for water pump deterioration. Relatively cheap and easy fix â�?��?? if nothing else damaged.

Another more ominous possibility is cylinder leakage (exhaust) into the water jacket. This would be very bad news as it would indicate a bad head gasket (at best). Similar result to what you describe: coolant forced out of block under exhaust pressure into the radiator and overflow tank.

A compression test might reveal it.

Try replacing the waterpump first

Ouch, don't scare me!

You think water pump eh? Hmm... Coolant is getting forced back into the tank.

Hmm, I may try that. But there are no signs of water pump failure. Is this common?

Sal

Yes I think water pump. The plastic impellor comes loose from the shaft. No leakage, bearing is still good, no water is pumped.

Localized boiling in the engine will produce enough vapor to force out coolant.

Change the water pump. Simple job.

P.S. Why did you post this in 3.0L Duratec?

Don't forget that it is only the OLD contour plastic impeller pumps that would go without warning.

The new pumps with the white impeller are pretty reliable now.

Originally posted by SableSal:
LOL, Sorry... It's cause I own a Sable and it's a 3L

Thanks for the info on the pump! On the aftermarkets, is this problem corrected? Or is it usually same as factory.

Sal

What year is your Sable anyway? These WP impeller failures are only really specific to the early Contours with the black plastic impeller. The later white ones lasted much longer and would be what you should have if you have a 2001 or newer. If you have an older 3L, then none of this speculation even applies other than the symtoms could still point to a bad pump of different design.

Originally posted by bnoon:

Originally posted by SableSal:
LOL, Sorry... It's cause I own a Sable and it's a 3L

Thanks for the info on the pump! On the aftermarkets, is this problem corrected? Or is it usually same as factory.

Sal

What year is your Sable anyway? These WP impeller failures are only really specific to the early Contours with the black plastic impeller. The later white ones lasted much longer and would be what you should have if you have a 2001 or newer. If you have an older 3L, then none of this speculation even applies other than the symtoms could still point to a bad pump of different design.

In a previous post he asked about 96-99 so he might have a black impellar. Don't know if the WP's were different on those engines. Might have lasted longer than a Tour due to not as high of RPM's with the ATX. Either way sounds like a caput pump.

Originally posted by todras:
In a previous post he asked about 96-99 so he might have a black impellar. Don't know if the WP's were different on those engines. Might have lasted longer than a Tour due to not as high of RPM's with the ATX. Either way sounds like a caput pump.

2000 duratec isn't cam driven, but it sounds toasted regardless.

96-99 used the big, old fashioned waterpump mounted around where the AC is on the contour duratec.

Originally posted by todras:
A GMB metal one. Go here and get it.

GMB Water pump

or go to Napa and get a Dura pro. The older Ford pumps with the black impellars are the ones with issue. Not sure if this was an issue on your car. If it's ealier than 99 they might have used the same material. Look for black pieces in the resevoir.

I have a Dura Pro. Im going with that.
Thanks a million. BTW I own a 98. So most likely has the same issue.

Thanks again!

Sal

Took her apart... It's the Water Pump. Impellor made of plastic.

Sal

Originally posted by SableSal:
Took her apart... It's the Water Pump. Impellor made of plastic.

Sal

Crazy. Mine is made of pure gooooooooold.