Electric external water pump replacement for Ford Explorers.

[Scott Leasley]

I love my 2016 Explorer XLT but would have passed on it if I had known about the time bomb internal water pump.
Why would Ford place this potentially destructive part inside the engine?
What is the life mileage calculation for this pump?

I was thinking if perhaps an electric external replacement pump might exist or be developed for the Explorer.
There are external electric water pumps for other older vehicle engines so my hopes are up.

I know you would still have to go inside the engine to disconnect/modify the existing pump drive assembly.
This work would need to be done on a healthy non-leaking pump before changing over.

The expense of my dream replacement would be expensive but so is a new engine.
Is an electric water pump even possible for this vehicle?

 

[gmanpaint]

I love my 2016 Explorer XLT but would have passed on it if I had known about the time bomb internal water pump.
Why would Ford place this potentially destructive part inside the engine?
What is the life mileage calculation for this pump?

I was thinking if perhaps an electric external replacement pump might exist or be developed for the Explorer.
There are external electric water pumps for other older vehicle engines so my hopes are up.

I know you would still have to go inside the engine to disconnect/modify the existing pump drive assembly.
This work would need to be done on a healthy non-leaking pump before changing over.

The expense of my dream replacement would be expensive but so is a new engine.
Is an electric water pump even possible for this vehicle?

This should be asked in the 5th Gen forum.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Your thread was moved into the stock 2011 - 2019 Explorer section.

 

[Steve8316]

...time bomb internal water pump.
Why would Ford place this potentially destructive part inside the engine?
...
There are external electric water pumps...

There are also MANY older vehicle engines with timing-belt/-chain-driven water pumps. So it's not surprising that this engine was designed that way.

...you would still have to go inside the engine to disconnect/modify the existing pump drive ...

You'd also have to re-engineer the timing chains, or add an idler where the WP is. How long would that idler's bearings last?

Is an electric water pump even possible for this vehicle?

Anything is po$$ible.

 

[peterk9]

I love my 2016 Explorer XLT but would have passed on it if I had known about the time bomb internal water pump.
Why would Ford place this potentially destructive part inside the engine?
What is the life mileage calculation for this pump?

................................................

Welcome to the Forum Scott.
The pump was placed inside the engine because it is a transversely installed engine and therefore there was a lack of room for an external installation. The 2020+ models have a longitudinally mounted engine and an external pump.
There doesn't seem to be a defined timeline for a possible failure. Some have lasted over 100,000 miles, while others have been replaced much earlier.

Water pump failure leads to dead engine

I hate being the guy that joins only to have his first post be about needing help, but I’ve been lurking here for the better part of a year and now have a depressing reason to reach out for assistance. This is long, so the summary is 1k miles over warranty, water pump failed without any check...

www.explorerforum.com

If concerned about a possible failure/costs, you can always look into getting a Ford ESP.

Peter

 

[Turdle]

I love my 2016 Explorer XLT but would have passed on it if I had known about the time bomb internal water pump.
Why would Ford place this potentially destructive part inside the engine?
What is the life mileage calculation for this pump?

I was thinking if perhaps an electric external replacement pump might exist or be developed for the Explorer.
There are external electric water pumps for other older vehicle engines so my hopes are up.

I know you would still have to go inside the engine to disconnect/modify the existing pump drive assembly.
This work would need to be done on a healthy non-leaking pump before changing over.

The expense of my dream replacement would be expensive but so is a new engine.
Is an electric water pump even possible for this vehicle?

This would require a custom timing cover with coolant passages through it . That mating surface , internal, could leak also.

 

[Scott Leasley]

Welcome to this forum! Your thread was moved into the stock 2011 - 2019 Explorer section.

Thank you, I'll try to do it right from now on.

 

[Scott Leasley]

I guess the best thing to do is start saving for the repair bill.

 

[peterk9]

I guess the best thing to do is start saving for the repair bill.

Why not get a Ford ESP instead?

Peter

 

[Scott Leasley]

Why not get a Ford ESP instead?

Peter

Thank you for your advice Peter,
I've only have 44K on my 2016 and that water pump average life can be 100,000 miles with proper vehicle maintenance.
I'm like you and the good people on this forum when it comes to my Explorer, nothing but the best care.
I checked with Ford online a while back and the ESP was expensive. My local Ford dealer is also expensive.
I've heard and read so much about warranties and advice I've heard is, Don't buy one if you can afford the repair bill.
I can afford the bill, I just didn't understand Ford's water pump design.
Thanks again, Scott

 

[peterk9]

Hi Scott. The thread linked below was previously in the "Sticky" section. Many members have taken advantage of Joel's offer. The link is still there in the 6th gen forum.

Ford ESP at dealer cost to forum members

Guys, I have been referring hundreds to Joel for ESP and Maintenance plans. I spoke with Joel yesterday and he is now selling them at dealer cost to forum members because of how Flood has been matching him. He will not do communication by email, he will only do it on the phone. Members have...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[FranksFords]

I bought an ExtraCare plan through Joel for my Explorer and was pleased. When I recently inquired about one for my new truck he gave me a decent price but I bought elsewhere because it was much cheaper and had better options.