rfmlin

Does anyone have any idea what might have failed regarding the coolant system? My 1995 Contour with a 2.8L V6 just overheated (temp gauge on dashboard was off the scale). Some coolant spilled out through the coolant reservoir cap, but there was no other sign of coolant spillage.

Don't know if it was related but minutes before I noticed the temp gauge (over temp). My A/C cut out. I thought the A/C clutch had broke. When I toggled the A/C controls, I did not sense any engine load changes like I normally do when the A/C goes on and off.

How do I diagnose whether it's the water pump that went or whether it's just a bad thermostat valve? What else could have failed?

rfmlin

FYI...

I checked the contour enthusiats website and found that the plastic impeller on the water pump was a common failure point. Sure enough when I had my contour towed to a garage for repair, that was exactly what had failed. The plastic impeller had shattered at the shaft point. So for those of you who have not yet changed your water pump, it is a good preventative maintenance item to keep you from getting stuck on the road.

Correction 2.5L V-6 on the subject line.