[6banger96]

just wondering how hard it is to change out a water pump on a 96 v6?

[Fox2102]

Well since i've never actually done it i cant say for sure but i know gettin the belt off is pretty difficult (was for me anyway). I may be way off base here but i think you may have to take the coolant tank and maybe the fan. Then you get to take out the water pump. Not sure how to do it but i'm assuming that it's not that difficult.

But dont take my word for it because i'm not very mechanically inclined and i have never actually done it. I would suggest investing the money into the repair books. I cannot remember the name of it but i'm sure someone will post it in a bit.

[Onemanzu]

its about a 6 hour job... off then back on.

take off the belt, a few bolts for things like the coil pack mount, a few other bolts here and there... i would recommend getting a chilton or haynes to help guide you

[MUSTANG]

Since you have the 3.8 L v-6.

Other than removing the belt, coil brackets etc. You will also need to remove your power steering pump pulley in order to get off the bracket that connects from the power steering to the water pump. Other than that it should be a pretty straight forward replacement.

[Onemanzu]

that is not true... i didn't even have to touch my steering pump when i removed mine

[Onemanzu]

matter of fact give me a second i will see if you have to with pics provided

[Onemanzu]

okay... i figured it out... its not true because you can remove the whole steering pump and alternator assembly if you wanted... its a HUGE pain in the ass, and i would suggest that you pull that pulley off

[itschristorres8]

if you have a hard time taking off the serpentine belt then you deffinitly shouldnt attempt this job
the belt is the LEAST of your worries. that takes me about 2min...1 min to walk over and grab the tool 1min to bend down and llift assuming i feel like working slow
it is deffinitly at least a 5-6hour job i'd say.
few things you gotta take off before you get to the water pump first
make sure you have the water pump gasket

how do you know that its your water pump thats bad before you replace it, i'd also go ahead and replace the upper and lower hose and thermostat and gasket

[Fox2102]

I didnt have a tool....

[MWWarlord]

Hey guys I've never done this and I'm not sure all that is involved, but pep boys replaced my water pump and thermostat in about 1 and a half hours. It seems to me like it shouldn't take 5-6, but like I said I'm not an expert. Also it might have been easier in my '95 than in the '96. Although I wouldn't think there would be that much of a difference. Again, I am by far not an expert so I could be wrong.

[97TunedMustang]

for a 96 v6 alldata quotes 1.9 hours,add 0.2 if a/c equipped.

And luckily since i'm so awesome, this equals good things for you. should clear up the confusion...




And some larger versions of the two pics from above^
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2...1807983ac9.gif
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3...1807984kr8.gif

awesome? i think so

[MWWarlord]

Yeah, I thought 5-6 hours seemed a bit long. +rep for 97TM good post man.

[Onemanzu]

for a first timer it will take about 3 hours to get it off and 2 to get it back on...

time really flys when your under the hood

[97TunedMustang]

Originally Posted by Onemanzu for a first timer it will take about 3 hours to get it off and 2 to get it back on... time really flys when your under the hood

sure does. mechanics who know what theyre doing can do it in 2hrs. The average joe probably closer to 4 or 5 but it just depends on your level of expertise and how efficient you are while working lol.

and no prob warlord

[Onemanzu]

all im saying is when i TRIED to do my timing cover swap it took me 2 weeks to get down to the cover, and 2 months of staring and prying...

just take your time do it right