Last week while driving this happened:
Screeching sound while driving, Charging warning sign on dash, power steering failing. Soon after, the coolant started pouring out of the engine like a waterfall.
Found serpentine belt off of the pulleys in one piece, and coolant spraying inside of engine bay. Water pump bearing & impeller broke (see pict); the pump shaft was literally almost dropping out of its cast aluminum body. I immediately parked the truck and got it towed home.

After replacing the water pump, thermostat & refilling the coolant/water back into the cooling system, I ran the truck to allow the thermostat to bleed/burp out any air from the cooling system and topped off the coolant level. Yesterday, I was driving and my radiator cooling fans are turning on as if the engine were getting hot enough to need the extra air (80F ambient temp).

After I replaced everything, I'm having second thoughts on if I should have flushed the engine block. Some of the impeller pieces may have dropped out of the pump when I was removing it, but some may also have been small enough to go into the cooling system inside the block's water jacket. I feel stupid that I didn't take the time to flush it out.

Your thoughts...?



Remains of the water pump impeller.

Replaced the water pump (NAPA# 43016), thermostat, serpentine belt, A/C belt, o-ring seal on water pump t-pipe.

3-bolt water pump pulley and thermostat housing.

Serpentine belt & A/C belt replacement; NAPA# 060640 & 040535, respectively.

 

Since all your parts listed were aftermarket I’m going to assume the thermostat was also. Take it out and replace it with a ford motorcraft OEM thermostat and your temps will drop back to normal. Some reason aftermarket Tstat’s cause overheating issues.

 

Common issue with replacing thermostat with aftermarket. Fans running on high. Replace with oem thermostat

 

Yeah, there were two types of thermostats available. The one I installed had a lower temperature by 3F. OK, I'll re-install a Ford Motorcraft OEM thermostat.
It should be easier to go in and redo it, now that I know how to disconnect all the different electrical and coolant connector clips (pain in the @$$).
Thanks...

 

Hey man, same thing happened to me yesterday. What was the best course of action to see if anything went into the cooling system?

 

I realize this is a really old thread, but the info is relevant. I upgraded the plastic "Y" connector with the Dorman metal one. Also used an OEM thermostat and it's been great for 2 years now.