How to change a water pump on '04 Taurus 3.0 OHV

[sixpix]

Has anyone changed the water pump on a 2004 Taurus with a 3.0 OHV engine? I've been trying to get mine out but I can't get to the bolts, all the pulleys are in the way (tensioner, PS pump, ...). If you have any insight into this I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

[shorod]

Per the factory service manual you need to remove the alternator, the belt tensioner, and the roll restrictor to get to the water pump bolts. If you'd like a copy of the section from the service manual, send me a Private Message with the request and an e-mail address and I'll send you a PDF of the appropriate section.

-Rod

[sixpix]

Thanks shorod for the pdf of the repair manual section for replacing the water pump. It was so much easier with this. For those of you that don't have this, the main things you have to remove to get to the water pump are the altnernator, alternator support brackets and the belt tensioner.

FYI, the bolt holding my belt tensioner on was most likely a T50 torx head. I, unfortunately, thought it was a 1/4" allen head. It seemed to fit but once I tried to turn it I stripped it out couldn't get the bolt out. This took me about three hours to get off. I eventually cut the belt tensioner with a Dremel tool (it cut a lot easier than the bolt) and then broke it with a wedge and hammer so I could get to the bolt. If it wasn't for this the job went pretty well once I had the manual from shorod.

Thanks again shorod.

[shorod]

You're welcome, and thank you for providing your pointers here for future reference.

-Rod