LilRoush Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Basics: '98 4.6L SOHC with 230K+ on it. Solid runner, drive it over a hundred miles a day without any major issues. Cooling system is all stock except a newer aftermarket fan which moves more than stock CFM. It's on a manual switch that I run when I'm not on the highway. Never uses any coolant. Last night on my drive home (FL turnpike @ 60-70 MPH), my temp started going all over the board - from where it normally runs all the way up to almost pegging the stock gauge. When I pulled into the parking lot at my place, it pegged and puked all over. Checked the cap to make sure it wasn't loose and dumping coolant while I drove. Not it. Next thought was the stock OEM thermostat is giving out. Picked up a new 170*, tested it in a pot of water on the stove and put it in last night. Flushed the radiator while I had it apart. Burped all the air out. Test drive got to temp and held dead on where it has for the past couple of years. Problem solved.....er, not.This morning on my way to work (on my day off), at speed on the highway gauge started wandering about 20 mins into the trip. I figured out it was related to RPM. As long as I kept it 2300 RPM or higher, the temp stays down (at any MPH). 2000-2300 and it started to creep up. Under 2000 and it spikes within seconds (5-8 seconds to be exact). Tested my theoty on the ride home. Highway and city, as long as I'm over 2300RPM, it stays cool. Under that and it heats up. I do know it's not a temp probe issue giving a false reading because it does heat up enough to blow steam when the gauge pegs. After dealing with pumps/piping for a shark tank at work, my thought is water pump isn't moving the coolant at lower speeds. Is it possible the impellor is worn down? There is no noise from the water pump, no leaking/drips of any kind. My other thought was a clog somewhere that needs the higher RPM to generate the pressure to push coolant past it and through the radiator. Is there a good way to flush out the entire cooling system in my townhouse parking lot without drawing too much attention (since it's against the HOA to work on cars)? Swap water pumps? (Jess, I need to use your driveway! ) Sell car? (Only kidding - took ten years to get it, no way I'm letting it go that easy!)Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRPVinyl Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 From the description my first thought would be the water pump, could be the Impellar, I would put a new pump on and change the radiator hoses.matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Is there a way to check to check the WP to see if it's good prior to yanking it off?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Det_Riot Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Is there a way to check to check the WP to see if it's good prior to yanking it off??You can pop the radiator cap and see if you can see the water moving through the system. Other than that idk :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 I know it's moving... I just wonder if the old pump is dying and not moving it enough.Either way, new WP in hand ready to install tomorrow - Thanks Jess!! (Even though you haven't seen the thread yet.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniveTroll Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 The pump impeller dont wear out. The bearings do. Usually the cap and thermostat are the culprits. Last culprit is head gasket. Sent by smoke signals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniveTroll Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Wp usually weaps when failure. Sent by smoke signals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Cap is solid after double checking and I'm not losing coolant at all or getting white smoke in the exhaust like a head gasket.Pump upgrade can't hurt - and if it doesn't do the trick, a new radiator will give me a change to upgrade that as well as step up to a twin fan set up that I've been wanting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniveTroll Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 The cap vents after so many psi. Ive had a thermostat puke coolant. Ive had a cap cause a geyser. I had inadequate cooling from a stock radiator on 575hp. I did a few cooling mods. #8 intake cooling mod03 cobra radCxracing overflow tank.03+ lightning wp By now i have sorted some issues.Sent by smoke signals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64bit_Tuning Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 replace the pump... do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I hate my car. Ten minutes to drain the systme, pull the belt, remove WP pulley and 4 bolts out of the pump. No matter what I tried, that sucker is STUCK. The downside is the best pry bar spots are burried nicely behind the M112 snout and the extra idler pulley to run the blower. Good thing I'm off tomorrow and can have at it again when the sun comes up. Still looking into a bigger radiator /twin fan set up just cuz I have the excuse Random question: All the books say 14 qt (3.5 gallon) cooling system. With it all drained out @ the lower corner of the radiator, I'm only able to put in a touch under 2 gallons when refilling it (at the intake/therostat port - and it's showing 'full' in the over flow contrainer. Is there that much left in the motor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.greg Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I hate my car. Ten minutes to drain the systme, pull the belt, remove WP pulley and 4 bolts out of the pump. No matter what I tried, that sucker is STUCK. The downside is the best pry bar spots are burried nicely behind the M112 snout and the extra idler pulley to run the blower. Good thing I'm off tomorrow and can have at it again when the sun comes up. Still looking into a bigger radiator /twin fan set up just cuz I have the excuse Random question: All the books say 14 qt (3.5 gallon) cooling system. With it all drained out @ the lower corner of the radiator, I'm only able to put in a touch under 2 gallons when refilling it (at the intake/therostat port - and it's showing 'full' in the over flow contrainer. Is there that much left in the motor?I've drained my cooling system 3 times and every time I was only able to put about 2 gallons back in as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Good to know I'm not going crazy. It's funny. I've been a Mustang owner since 1994 - and I've never really done anything with the 4.6L 2V other than drive the crap out of it for the past two years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 you can tap off the water pump at the snout with a rubber mallet, that'll generally break it loose. Wish you were closer, I have a spare Water Pump you could've tried to verify it was the issue before wasting your money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I fear tapping it hard enough something breaks. I gave it several good swings last night with a mallet. Once I get Jaden settled in with cartoons and cereal, I'm going to head back outside this morning to see what I can do.Gotta love ten minute car projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I fear tapping it hard enough something breaks. I gave it several good swings last night with a mallet. Once I get Jaden settled in with cartoons and cereal, I'm going to head back outside this morning to see what I can do.Gotta love ten minute car projects.if anything breaks it'll be the pump itself, the water pump is not attached at any point behind it, just the impeller is at the rear so keep giving it some good smacks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I am seriously starting to think I'm missing something. There's no way this should be an issue. Coolant drained, belt off, pulley off, four bolts off the pump...hitting, kicking, prying, pulling, spitting on, swearing at..... Nadda. In for a lunch break, then heading out for round 3. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I am seriously starting to think I'm missing something. There's no way this should be an issue. Coolant drained, belt off, pulley off, four bolts off the pump...hitting, kicking, prying, pulling, spitting on, swearing at..... Nadda. In for a lunch break, then heading out for round 3. LOLprobably rusted, get your BFH out and wack a pump! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis@OrtizPerformance Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Omg those pumps suck to remove. Luckily everytime I had to take one off the engine was already out and even then it took some damn good swings to get it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniveTroll Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I usually lube the o-ring before reinstall.Sent by smoke signals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniveTroll Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Tapping in circumference with a hammer knocks them loose. Sent by smoke signals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Well I got the top edge out about 1/8"..... then my pry bar snapped in half. This ranks right up there with doing a heater core. Had to take another break. Was starting to draw attention from the neighbors and security....don't need the HOA rep knocking at my door later. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 big hammer. force. bloom! and repeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Think this time around I'm skipping the rubber mallet and taking out something with a bit more force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Think this time around I'm skipping the rubber mallet and taking out something with a bit more force.that's what I'd do, if you have a mini sledge that'd be the way to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniveTroll Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 A thick brick chiselSent by smoke signals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Couple hits with my new 5 lbs sledge and the old is out, new is in, filled up, burped, test driven and working great.And I think I figured out why the old pump wasn't moving coolant............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 LOL holy shit there is nothing left of that impeller!told you a sledge would get it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I can't believe I made it around at all with it that bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.greg Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 WOW! Mystery solved lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 So much for the pump impeller not wearing out! Man that's crazy. Glad you fixed it bud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schiffy Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Big question... Where in your system is the rest if the impeller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Det_Riot Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Holy shit! That is ridiculous, I guess 200k+will do that. Jesus that's so nuts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Big question... Where in your system is the rest if the impeller?It's worn into nothing at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I'm sorry but i lol'd when I saw that impeller, I can't believe that thing was actually cooling above 2500 lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I know. It's crazy to think spinning that thing around like a dremel was moving enough coolant to keep it rolling down the highway. Can't imagine what it will do now with a higher flowing pump and 170* thermostat in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Det_Riot Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 whyd you go with a 170 thermostat? just curious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilRoush Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 If I'm going to be seriously tracking in the Miami heat this Summer, I want it to open sooner. I'm guessing my current routine of on/off with the splitter panal under the car will evolve into "on all the time". With the extra length under the radiator, sitting in traffic means the temps creep up. The fronts of these cars aren't great for drawing in air when standing still. I saw it with my other Roush. I'm trying to keep it as DD friendly as possible while still being able to hang with the big dogs around the loops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniveTroll Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 (edited) Couple hits with my new 5 lbs sledge and the old is out, new is in, filled up, burped, test driven and working great.And I think I figured out why the old pump wasn't moving coolant............................fork me running i stand corrected. Edited March 19, 2013 by SniveTroll google police Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRoush Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 fuck me running i stand corrected.don't feel so bad, seeing a water pump look like that is a first for me as well lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
