Changhing water pump in 98 Taurus

My wifes 98 Taurus 3.0 L temp gauge slowly goes from cold to normal then to cold then back to normal. It never over heats and never stays in the normal range were it use to stay. She had the thermostat changed and it still does it. I am thinking either radiator needs flushing or water pump needs replacing. She also says that she ocassionally hears a grinding noise. I am no great mechanic but just wondering were the water pump is located and how difficult is it to change.

Thanks

Steve

Odd..

If the rad core was plugged the engine would run extremely hot and the water pump can make a grinding or squeeling noise as the bearings go. If the water pump truly failed the motor would also overheat within minutes.

The next step will check your water pump and your thermostat..
BE CAREFUL!!
Start the car cold in Park, let it idle only, emergency on, with the radiator cap removed and watch the gauge and the antifreeze flow. When it's cold you will see little to no movement of the antifreeze, after about 5 minutes or less you will see the antifreeze start to swirl and flow as the thermostat opens. The gauge should be rising about now.
At normal temp, the gauge should be in the normal range and the hot antifreeze should be flowing quite fast.
If the gauge starts dropping to the cool range and the antifreeze is obviously hot and flowing still, then your coolant sensor needs to be replaced. (less likely is the gauge itself)