Not your timing belt, as mentioned, you don't have one. You might need to replace your accessory drive (serpentine) belt if the coolant has glazed it.

 

If you know how to relieve the tension off the accessory drive / serpentine belt so you can slip the belt off the pulleys, then you can spin the water pump pulley by hand to check it. The WP pulley should turn smoothly and feel solidly planted. If it feels rough/gritty/noisy and/or has any play when rocking it then the shaft seal/bearing is bad. While the belt is off, you can also check the ac compressor pulley, belt tensioner pulley and idler pulley to make sure they spin freely / quietly as well. Look around with a flashlight to try to find exactly where the coolant is leaking from. WPs usually have a tell tale weep hole to let you know when the shaft seal / bearing is on the way out. Also look for a gasket leak where the WP mates to the engine block. Check the plastic on the sides of the radiator for hairline cracks. Check coolant hoses. They usually leak or blow out at the ends. Make sure the belt is re-routed correctly when you put it back (diagram is usually posted under the hood or in engine bay somewhere).

 

Was able to drive it 2 miles to garage. Got a call back from mechanic that the WP is shot. 53,000 miles and already replacing it? Anyway $495 for new WP and new serpentine belt.

 

I hope you told them to pack sand! From Tasca a new water pump and gasket runs less than $60. A thermostat and gaskets is less than $35, a belt is $24. Coolant will run maybe 30-40. the rest of the bill seems like a lot of labor $ for what it is.

 

Thanks brother. Hey, there's an error on both 19 and 39, on the steps to repeat 10 times. Makes no sense on 19, and even less on 39, but I get they want do repeat the process 10 times, which I find unnecessary. I'll obviously do it the first time, and let cold-heat-cold cycles do the rest .

 

Dealers can be $130/hr. Don't forget the cost of new coolant. My waterpump is $93 on Tasca.

Haven't had to do the 150 yet. Ford dispensed with cooling system taps a long time ago. The heat/cool cycle for my 2003 Escape was about ten minutes each, 6-8 times.

 

I just bought a pressure brake bleeder tool since I have 2 vehicles that need the brake fluid replaced. When time comes for a coolant change, I'll invest the money in a vacuum coolant kit. For me, it just makes sense.