I would like to know how to replace water pump for 1994 Ranger 2.3L. Is there any good website for instructions? What will be the cost? Any OEM brand will do? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to FTE!!!

I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice but a good manual in your hands will come in handy for this and any other work you may need to do.

 

I replaced the water pump on my 94 Ranger just a couple of months ago. There is really not much to it. The main problem you will run into is the a/c and power steering being built onto that big one piece mount. Trying to keep mine as simple as possible, I left the compressor and power steering pump attached and just removed the big mount. The reason it was difficult that way is because the hoses are pretty short and it is tough to keep this unit out of the way after you get it disconnected.

There is a hidden bolt just underneath the power steering pump. It is very hard to reach and very close to the bottom cross member and engine mounts. It was a matter of turning a wrench a quarter turn at a time to get it out. When I was putting it all back together I went to put that bolt in last and found that I couldn't get it started in the hole without taking some stuff back off! And the bolt is long enough that it wouldn't just come out because it hits the engine mount.There are 5 other bolts holding the unit on so I just left that bolt hanging there. Learn from my mistake and start that bolt first when you are putting it all back together.

I got my replacement pump at Auto Zone. It was only $35 for a lifetime warranty pump. They have a 1 yr warranty pump for $16.

Good luck.

 

I got the water pump from Pepboys, $40, Bosch. My model (2.3L) has no P/S. I know I need to take the fan out (4 bolts) and the belt. Is that all? There are 3 bolts for the waterpump and 2 hoses (1 thick and 1 small) attached to it. The water pump comes with a gasket, do I need to put anything (silicone) on top before installing back to the engine. Please advise.

 

According to my Haynes manual (and my memory) you have to take the lower timing cover off to get to some bolts. I scanned a page out of my Haynes manual that you can download and print out. I overlayed the V6 drawing that was on the page with the exploded view of the 2.3. Hope it helps.

Basically, I would start with the fan shroud and fan, serpentine belt, and hoses. From there, just look for anything that would get in the way of the water pump bolts. You need to make sure you get the old water pump gasket off completely and get a good smooth surface for the new gasket. It took me wuite a while with a good sharp scraper to get all of the old gasket off. I would use some Perma-Tex on both sides of the gasket if I were you.

You can click this link to download and print the Haynes page... http://victorianvalhalla.com/ranger.jpg

 

The picture is pretty accurate about the water pump for my 2.3L motor. There are only 3 bolts (13 mm) holding the water pump. Once the fan is out, those 3 bolts are pretty much open for access. I will get Perma-Tex and work on it this weekend.

BTW, what miles you changed out your water pump. My truck has 181K miles, still running strong. No issues at all. :-)

Thanks again.

 

My truck only has a little less than 80k on it. I got it from my father-in-law when he got his new one last year. This truck was always garaged, rarely driven, and never carried anything heavier than golf clubs -- until I got it anyway! Even though it is just a little 4-cylinder I have used it like a big truck. The only problems I have had with it are the water pump, a front brake caliper, and a leaky cab around the rear window.

 

I finally replaced the water pump. The new pump ($35, lifetime warranty) came with a gasket, but I still put little Perma-Tex on top (both sides) to be safe. I also changed out the bottom hose with a new one. It took me 2 hrs to complete this task. After all, it was not that bad. Thanks guys.