How you replace a water pump on a 2000 Ford Windstar can differ depending on the exact size of the engine. The water pump is essential for the engine coolant circulating in the engine, so a bad one can lead to serious problems from the engine overheating. The Windstar has a large engine compartment, but the pump's position adds extra challenges in making sure the engine is properly supported during removal and installation of the pump.
Disconnect the van's negative battery cable.
Remove the radiator cap (the engine must be cool) and then remove the radiator's drain plug to drain engine coolant into a large container.
Loosen the bolts on the water pump pulley with your wrench, then rotate the drive belt tensioner with a wrench on its pulley bolt and remove the drive belt.
Connect a crane or engine support cradle to the engine and raise it just enough to take the weight off the engine mounts. Remove the nuts connecting the engine mounts to the subframe with a wrench.
Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the radiator and then unbolt and disconnect its metal tube end from the water pump.
Unplug the alternator's electrical connectors and then unbolt and remove the alternator.
Unbolt and disconnect the bypass tube from the water pump, then unbolt and remove the brace from the air conditioner compressor mount; its bolt is located near the radiator hose bolt.
Connect an engine hoist to the engine and raise it another 2 inches until you can completely access the water pump.
Remove the drive belt tensioner's single bolt with your wrench and remove the tensioner.
Remove the water pump's nuts and bolts and remove the pump from the engine.
Clean all gasket and sealant material from the cylinder block using acetone and a gasket scraper.
Apply a thin coat of RTV sealant to both sides of the new pump gasket and connect the gasket to the replacement pump. Connect the pump to the engine.
Coat the threads of the stud, which is at the lower-left corner of the pump assembly, with Teflon thread sealant prior to installation. Tighten the bolts to 18 to 24 foot-pounds with your wrench.
Reconnect the drive belt, tensioner, the brace for the AC compressor mount, the water pump's bypass tube, the alternator and the lower radiator hose.
Lower the engine hoist, reconnect the nuts to the engine mounts and lower the engine off the crane.
Reconnect the drive belt and tighten the water pump pulley bolts.
Refill the engine coolant; check the original coolant's condition and use a fresh water/antifreeze mix if the old mixture is contaminated.
Reconnect the battery cable.
