Love my '96 850 Turbo wagon 5 speed. Great power, good fuel economy. And all this at 332,000 plus Km. Problem though. Other day was very cold (-14 C). Car started fine, but as temp gauge rose, no heat came from the front defrost or heat, fan going full. Engine temp continued to climb in to red zone. Pulled over and leet cool. Began driving again, and still no heat interior, but gauge back to red. Pulled over and allowed cooling. 45 mins later was cool enough to go, heat in the cabin, engine temp at normal level (just below 1/2 marker) Trouble is there is a coolant leak now that appears to be coming from the water pump, but I can't see just where. Ideas? Am I doomed?

 

I'm not Tech, but it sure sounds as if your coolant froze in the water pump and cracked it. You're not doomed, but given a great oppurunity to freshen up your timing belt assembly, while you're changing your water pump. Man, where are you at where its 14 below? I'm in Missouri and it was mid 50's yesterday. Ahha, 14 below Celsius. Thats still frosty.

 

Yes, its frosty alright. Works out to about 26F; certainly below freezing.
So, figure it's a cracked water pump. Was hoping that maybe it just damaged the gasket, but I guess I knew thats what it would be. Just hope nothing has happened to the block. The belts should be good, I checked them the other day trying to find the source of the leak. Clean, just right plyability, and no sign of cracking. Ok, thanks for responding. Now to find what "They" want for a pump install.
Thanks again

 

I still envy you with a busted water pump. A turbo wagon with a 5-speed, I should've held out till I found one but the fever hit me pretty hard and I bought the first decent wagon I could find, and of course it has an automatic. Good luck.

 

Bullit850T is probably in Canada or overseas. An manual was never offered in an 850 Turbo in the U.S. - AB

 

Buy cheap eye-dropper with floating ***** anti-freeze tester. Make sure anti-freeze is protected to -15F.

Besides replacing water pump, tensioner, cam seals -- consider replacing thermostat with 190F/87C from FCPGroten and coolant temp sensor.

Search my older posts for how-to procedure.