I just changed the water pump in my zetec when I was changing the timing belt. I noticed that the impeller was made out of plastic. It looked ok my car has 90k miles and has been well maintained by me and the previous owner (regular coolant change etc).

My question is my new replacement water pump from ford also had a plastic impeller. Was it my mistake to put it in? I heard that the new plastic water pump had some changes in it but is it enough? Has anyone had any of these new "improved" plastic water pumps gone out prematurely? Thanks

You have a zetec, we don't really have h2o pump problems.

My stock W/P had a metal impellar and so does the replacement.

I have used two water pumps since I have owned the car. The stocker died at ~90K and the replacement died 364 days later. Both had plastic impellars, but that isnt why they died (leaking).

The new one is a GMB and has a metal impellar.

Mine is motorcraft and I believe has a metal impeller. Stock lasted (and was still good) at ~90k miles.

My stock W/P looked great after 90K.

replaced mine the other day with 105K on it and it still worked but I was in there so I replaced it.

ExDelayed...a little off topic, but when yours was leaking, how did you notice it? I've got a puddle of coolant on the floor just inside the passnger side front wheel, but I can't determine where it's coming from. I've lost a considerable amount of coolant since the overflow tank is down about an inch or two. Car has ~60K on it.