Water pump repair question and story...

[GreenF350]

First the question, for those that don't want to read the whole thing. What is the best way to add the VC-8 into the system, before the coolant, after, or somewhere in between?

Well, this is mostly just to grumble about my bad luck, but there might be some usable info somewhere.

The other day I was leaving work and I notice a drip under my truck, I think to myself "I didn't have the A/C on.....Oh, crap!" Yep....Coolant. So I buy a couple bottles of coolant to make sure I can get it home. Swing by the autoparts stores, get the fan clutch wrench, water pump, etc. Get in the truck to go home and my radio doesn't work. (Amp won't turn on) On the way home something catches my eye and I notice the right side of the window has a huge crack in it. I guess it wasn't my day. Right off the get go I round out the nut on the fan clutch and bend the cheapo wrench they sell for the job, go figure. I borrow a giant crescent wrench from my neighbor and he comes over to "stupidvise". Says "Are you sure that thing is left-handed thread?" I tell him, that's what the book says, have a look. He looks and confirms. While he was doing that I get to looking at the fan and what direction it turns...Nope it should be standard right hand thread. Turn is the other direction and it pretty much just comes right off. I guess the book was written when it still had the V-Belts on it instead of the serpentine. Teach me to read the instructions instead of use my own mechanical sense.

The new water pump came with a new lower water outlet...I didn't even think of the new one for the top at the thermostat. Run into the dealership, they assure me it will be in the next day at 1pm-ish. So the next day I go back in at 4pm and they can't find it. "Well, I don't know. It was supposed to be here, let me see if I cacn find where it is. We should be able to have it Monday...." I told them to cancel it, I would get it somewhere else. Carquest could get it that evening so I have them order it. I start to get kind of excited because their picture showed the right design and bolt pattern, but it was cast not stamped. Nope, turns out it was the same stamped steel piece. Oh well, I guess it will work just as good.

Hopefully, this will be the end of it. I am waiting for the storms to pass and will be out finishing up the last of it. With my luck the last few days, I sure hope it doesn't leak.

-Aaron

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by GreenF350

First the question, for those that don't want to read the whole thing. What is the best way to add the VC-8 into the system, before the coolant, after, or somewhere in between?

Well, this is mostly just to grumble about my bad luck, but there might be some usable info somewhere.

The other day I was leaving work and I notice a drip under my truck, I think to myself "I didn't have the A/C on.....Oh, crap!" Yep....Coolant. So I buy a couple bottles of coolant to make sure I can get it home. Swing by the autoparts stores, get the fan clutch wrench, water pump, etc. Get in the truck to go home and my radio doesn't work. (Amp won't turn on) On the way home something catches my eye and I notice the right side of the window has a huge crack in it. I guess it wasn't my day. Right off the get go I round out the nut on the fan clutch and bend the cheapo wrench they sell for the job, go figure. I borrow a giant crescent wrench from my neighbor and he comes over to "stupidvise". Says "Are you sure that thing is left-handed thread?" I tell him, that's what the book says, have a look. He looks and confirms. While he was doing that I get to looking at the fan and what direction it turns...Nope it should be standard right hand thread. Turn is the other direction and it pretty much just comes right off. I guess the book was written when it still had the V-Belts on it instead of the serpentine. Teach me to read the instructions instead of use my own mechanical sense.

The new water pump came with a new lower water outlet...I didn't even think of the new one for the top at the thermostat. Run into the dealership, they assure me it will be in the next day at 1pm-ish. So the next day I go back in at 4pm and they can't find it. "Well, I don't know. It was supposed to be here, let me see if I cacn find where it is. We should be able to have it Monday...." I told them to cancel it, I would get it somewhere else. Carquest could get it that evening so I have them order it. I start to get kind of excited because their picture showed the right design and bolt pattern, but it was cast not stamped. Nope, turns out it was the same stamped steel piece. Oh well, I guess it will work just as good.

Hopefully, this will be the end of it. I am waiting for the storms to pass and will be out finishing up the last of it. With my luck the last few days, I sure hope it doesn't leak.

-Aaron

Doesn't matter when you add the additive, as long as you put the right amount in. Ford recommends adding the additive every 15-30k miles and they just dump it into the degas bottle. Hope this helps.

[460+]

You have to check the additive level with test strips, if not you can over treat the system and it will be just as bad as if you dont.

[GreenF350]

Yep...I have the strips.....$20.00 at Oreilly's. Just didn't know how well it would mix if it was the last thing put into the degas bottle. Thanks.
-Aaron

[Marty]

Put it in the degas bottle, follow the instructions on it... those are correct I can tell you!


As for the part you went out to get... you don't need a new one, just clean off both mating surfaces, and use gray gasket sealer... works every time

[GreenF350]

Oh well, I have always heard to use a new one since they are so "flimsy". Either way, it's done and doesn't leak, so I guess I am good to go. At least it's got a lifetime warranty so I won't have to pay $200 for a water pump ever again. (I can't believe it is THAT much more expensive to make than a $30-$40 351 or 350 water pump.) I guess because it's for a diesel they feel the need to make extra on it.
-Aaron