Maybe not the right place but...

[07EddyB]

My parents have a 2008 Taurus SEL - they are thinking about buying a new car and trading. I've told them I want first chance at the Taurus - it's been dealer serviced and has slightly less than 60K miles on it currently. I have a kid that will be turning 15 in a few months so I think it will be a good car for him - and the other two behind him - to learn on and use later. Besides, it will be nice to have a spare car around when the Explorer needs work and I have to go to work.
I would guess that most of you are Ford guys - anything I need to know about the 3.5L from 2008? The transmission? I've done some research online but it's a Taurus - there aren't a lot of fan sites out there for good info. I've found a few Taurus sites but they don't get much traffic.
Anything you can tell me would be much appreciated.

 

[gdgiordano]

My parents have a 2008 Taurus SEL - they are thinking about buying a new car and trading. I've told them I want first chance at the Taurus - it's been dealer serviced and has slightly less than 60K miles on it currently. I have a kid that will be turning 15 in a few months so I think it will be a good car for him - and the other two behind him - to learn on and use later. Besides, it will be nice to have a spare car around when the Explorer needs work and I have to go to work.
I would guess that most of you are Ford guys - anything I need to know about the 3.5L from 2008? The transmission? I've done some research online but it's a Taurus - there aren't a lot of fan sites out there for good info. I've found a few Taurus sites but they don't get much traffic.
Anything you can tell me would be much appreciated.

I have a coworker who has had a 2008 or 2009 one for a while and she had to replace both the engine and trans at 75k. Her seat heaters don’t work among other things: also dealer serviced. I wouldn’t touch it.
Something really bad happened to it. The engine had antifreeze in the oil and oil in the antifreeze and oil in the trans fluid. The front seals were gone on the trans. I think the engine detonated popped the seals then exchanged fluids. Idk though. It was super catastrophic

 

[07EddyB]

Hmmmm - I had heard that the 3.5 in the new Ex had that problem. I had hoped it didn't go back to 2008. So how common is this? I didn't see that during my research.

 

[gdgiordano]

Hmmmm - I had heard that the 3.5 in the new Ex had that problem. I had hoped it didn't go back to 2008. So how common is this? I didn't see that during my research.

I think the 3.5 in the new ex shares the same block. Could definitely be wrong though. Just look at all the difference vehicles the 4L sohc is in. No idea how common it is, but it scares me. All I have to worry about is a thermostat housing, timing cassettes and flimsy transmissions. The fact that other ford 3.5l engines in other models have suffered this fate too would keep me away.

 

[gdgiordano]

Might be worth asking in the 5th gen thread about this issue.

 

[swshawaii]

Site for specific vehicle service issues. NOT a car enthusiast site, but worlds better than the useless "Yahoo Answers". LOL

Ford Explorer Problems

 

[Explorer_PL]

From what I read, the 3.5's use internal water pump. When it fails (very rare but happens) the antifreeze goes inside the motor and mixes with oil, there are no warning signs.

the only solution is to replace it ahead of time.

 

[swshawaii]

2011+ same 3.5L?
Water pump failure leads to dead engine

 

[gdgiordano]

Site for specific vehicle service issues. NOT a car enthusiast site, but worlds better than the useless "Yahoo Answers". LOL

Ford Explorer Problems

I just looked at 2010 on that site. "
CarComplaints.com Notes: After a half-decade of major transmission problems, Ford seems to have solved all the major defects with the Explorer.

We are happy to say that both the CarComplaints.com & the NHTSA data indicate no problems whatsoever with the 2010 Ford Explorer."

LOL

 

[MotorCityFats13]

not really sure how comparable the 3.5na is with the 3.5 eco boost..... but i think the oil pump and water pump are built into the block and cant really be replaced..... people have to swap the entire engine and not because the oil pump killed the engine

 

[boominXplorer]

I was working at ford when those Taurus' came out. The common issues are front lower control arms, water in the trunk, the cvt transmission, low voltage issues (if you don't have a great battery the car does weird things) and the biggest problem I've found is resale value. You'd laugh at what the dealer will offer your parents for their car even if it's a cherry with 60k on it.

Honestly I've worked on a bunch of those 3.5s (they are also in the fusion, edge ect.) and from what I've noticed is if they make it past 30k mi without issues they are good for at least 150k. I saw a good few under 20k getting the subframe dropped for engine repairs while at the dealership.

Side not I put a battery in a 2006 Ford 500 (same as taurus) recently and it was so beat up and not taken care of I assumed the motor was locked up when I got it for a no start(wouldn't start on jump box either). 160k miles and tarnish all the way up the dipstick from not changing the oil. Put a battery in it and it fired right up and ran great, I couldn't believe it. They've got to be pretty decent motors.

 

[07EddyB]

The water pump issue does have me a little worried but I'm trying to look past it. As noted, the engine was used in pretty much everything during that period and while failures occurred, it has to be a very small percentage of the motors in service. Besides, my DD is a 2007 Explorer so I obviously like to live on the edge

boomin is right - I've looked up book values and the car and they stink. On a good day they might get $4K on trade in - I figure it would probably be closer to $3500. That's a lot of car for the money considering the mileage and the history. If I do buy it, it would be an around town car mostly and a backup for our daily drivers. Most importantly, in a little over a year it would be taken over by a 16 year old.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Now I am confused....(what's new ???)

Are there 2 3.5's designs from Ford ?

Duratec and EcoBoost/non turbo 3.5 ?

Does it mean that all the new F-150's , Expeditions could potentially have similar problem ?

 

[07EddyB]

Well - apparently I bought the Taurus. Dad called this morning - he bought another Taurus - I had no idea that he was seriously looking. I told him I wanted first shot at the car - I guess he thought that meant that I was definitely buying it.
No worries though - I was pretty much leaning in that direction anyhow. I'll have either this weekend or Monday. We haven't even decided on a price yet.

 

[gdgiordano]

Well - apparently I bought the Taurus. Dad called this morning - he bought another Taurus - I had no idea that he was seriously looking. I told him I wanted first shot at the car - I guess he thought that meant that I was definitely buying it.
No worries though - I was pretty much leaning in that direction anyhow. I'll have either this weekend or Monday. We haven't even decided on a price yet.

Good luck haha!

 

[07EddyB]

Good luck haha!

I have no fear. I do own an Explorer after all

How bad can a Taurus be compared to that!

 

[gdgiordano]

I have no fear. I do own an Explorer after all

How bad can a Taurus be compared to that!

Lol true.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

I have no fear. I do own an Explorer after all

How bad can a Taurus be compared to that!

Lol true.

now you gots me wanting to find a yugo

 

[07EddyB]

now you gots me wanting to find a yugo

You are a glutton for punishment!

 

[gdgiordano]

You are a glutton for punishment!

Don’t forget the almighty pinto!