how do I know my water pump failed. 98 mustang V6 started to leak coolant from the front lower part of the the engine. How do I know for sure my pump is bad? Did refill and kept on leaking as I manage to get home. Little help please!
There is a weep hole on water pumps that will leak coolant when the pump goes bad. The housing could be cracked or there could be a leak in the gasket. When it's running, see if you can see where the coolant is coming from.
On Ford V6 engines there is a cover on the timing chain housing located under the water pump which has been known to leak. Sometimes re-tightening the bolts can fix the problem but other times it requires removal and replacement of gasket material. Look carefully around the front of the engine, if its your water pump there will be coolant seepage around the shaft, out of the weep hole or along the edges of the pump. If not look around the edges of that timing cover. Another way to check your pump is to allow the engine to cool thoroughly then remove the radiator cap, start the engine and watch the top of the coolant level. After a few minutes the thermostat will open and if the pump is working you'll see considerable movement of the coolant. This test won't tell you if its leaking but will tell if its working.
Locate the leak. If it is directly below the pump, you are right. There are many other points on the far that will leak coolant also.
A leaky radiator could also be the cause of leaking coolant. Sometimes waterpumps rattle as they're dying.
I count on he didn't disassemble the engine. Clearly this failure used to be from lack of good storage tactics. Lack of use is much worse than heavy use. I seen few outboards worn out, they're neglected to death. Having said that examine out my answer to a similar question today. Yes, failure of the water pump can contribute to this failure but a unfastened spark plug would not. The water pump should be replaced once per 12 months, or now not longer than two seasons, in spite of use. They take a suite because of age, and can fail with out warning. Whilst the first mechanic has some responsibility, I think you need to take the lions share. See owners handbook on storage tactics. Sorry!!!!!!
