Add us to this list. 222k miles on our 2011 Explorer Limited, and last night the water pump went and took the engine with it. Near zero warning. About 10 minutes from home my wife called to tell me something wasn't right with how the car was running, and while I was trying to get her to describe it, it started knocking then shutoff. From when she first felt like something wasn't right to it dying on her was maybe 2 minutes.
Up until this, it's been a fantastic car. 222k miles and the only previous repair that left the car sitting for a day was a locked up alternator. Outside of that, it's just been lots of regular maintenance and a few preventative items (like swapping the PTU a few months back).
Anyway, now I'm trying to figure out what versions of the 3.5 fit, and there doesn't seem to be much info, other than anything newer than 2012 isn't listed as compatible for some reason. Anyone happen to know why that might be? There is a 14k mile 3.5 out of a 2017 up in NJ I wouldn't mind going to get this weekend if it'll work.