Need advice before purchasing a PIU

[Kozworth]

Hello Everyone ,

I just started the research journey into the PIU, so far I have decided on the 3.5L ecoboost engine. Dose anyone have tips or if there is a FAQ for this model?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Hello Everyone ,

I just started the research journey into the PIU, so far I have decided on the 3.5L ecoboost engine. Dose anyone have tips or if there is a FAQ for this model?

welcome to EF! good place to look is the PIU subforum lots of good members there

 

[Kozworth]

welcome to EF! good place to look is the PIU subforum lots of good members there

Thank you !

 

[MattMPA]

The EcoBoost models are more complex, and most departments didn't order them as the turbo engines don't do well with the extended idling of law enforcement vehicles. Costly to fix. Besides the typical water pump potential concerns, the turbos are another.

I had an SHO with the same engine, and when I started looking for a utility, thought that engine would be good to have. My '16 utility has the 3.7.
My advice for buying a FPIU? But the best vehicle, service history, mileage, engine idle hours, etc. These are all used, and in some cases, abused vehicles. I was flexible on engine choice and I'm not disappointed. What was important to me was a '16 and later...with SYNC. I wanted the ability to use my phone in the car and adding or changing the hood system in a 16 or later is costly to do as aftermarket systems do not interface with a 16 or later.

 

[peterk9]

Hello Everyone ,

I just started the research journey into the PIU, so far I have decided on the 3.5L ecoboost engine. Dose anyone have tips or if there is a FAQ for this model?

Welcome to the Forum.
Although I'm not positive, I believe both the 3.5L and 3.7L have an internal water pump which could cause issues if they start leaking and it is not caught in time.

Peter

 

[PepeLePIU]

Welcome to the Forum.
Although I'm not positive, I believe both the 3.5L and 3.7L have an internal water pump which could cause issues if they start leaking and it is not caught in time.

Peter

Hey Peter - any idea how to check for that leaking pump? Is this something a non-car-guy could easily check without dismantling the engine?

Thanks and happy holidays!

 

[MattMPA]

Hey Peter - any idea how to check for that leaking pump? Is this something a non-car-guy could easily check without dismantling the engine?

Thanks and happy holidays!

If leaking it "can" drip near the A/C compressor. If leaking only internally, you'd look for white foam on the oil cap, dropping coolant level, etc.

 

[peterk9]

Hey Peter - any idea how to check for that leaking pump? Is this something a non-car-guy could easily check without dismantling the engine?

Thanks and happy holidays!

There really is no way to check if the pump is leaking other than to check for coolant dripping from the weep hole as Matt mentioned. Also, if it is leaking coolant into the engine, the oil on the dipstick will appear somewhat 'milky' as others have reported.

Peter

 

[utilitytristin]

Hello Everyone ,

I just started the research journey into the PIU, so far I have decided on the 3.5L ecoboost engine. Dose anyone have tips or if there is a FAQ for this model?

Welcome to the forums!

Here's some tips I'd put into consideration when purchasing a PIU. Great engine choice!

- How many miles? Is it an absurd amount?
- How many idle hours? (1 hr = 33 miles) I wouldn't get anything over 6000 hours, that's almost 200,000 miles of just idling!
- Where was it used? Was it used in a police department? Corrections? Fire Department?
- Are your rear door window switches and door switches working? You can fix this yourself. If not. It's just a rod and a disconnected window switch usually.
- When decommissioned did they leave a wire mess when decommissioning or is it neat? Leaving a mess of wires can cause electrical problems.
- Is their a service history you can get for that car? Usually if it's auctioned off, you'll be able to obtain a service report of every single thing that has been done.

My biggest concern would being the water pump going at 100k miles, I just replaced mine. It's an extensive, expensive job. Has it been replaced already?

Those are some of my tips I've got for ya!

 

[utilitytristin]

Welcome to the Forum.
Although I'm not positive, I believe both the 3.5L and 3.7L have an internal water pump which could cause issues if they start leaking and it is not caught in time.

Peter

Yes, like all Explorer's, including Police Interceptor Utility, they have an internal water pump according to a Haynes repair manual. Only exception is the 4 cylinder model has an external water pump. Only v6 engines have the timing chain ran one from what I'm reading here at least.

 

[Jeep driver]

Hello Everyone ,

I just started the research journey into the PIU, so far I have decided on the 3.5L ecoboost engine. Dose anyone have tips or if there is a FAQ for this model?

There are many good suggestions already posted. I chose the 3.7L non turbo engine. When I was ready to purchase, I found a 2014 PIU with 39,000 miles and only 454 idle hours. It was never outfitted with lights, radios, or a transport cage. Most PIU of this age have 100,000 or more miles, and 3-5,000 idle hours on the clock. I was looking to avoid the hard usage and worn out interiors most PIU's get during the service life.


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[utilitytristin]

There are many good suggestions already posted. I chose the 3.7L non turbo engine. When I was ready to purchase, I found a 2014 PIU with 39,000 miles and only 454 idle hours. It was never outfitted with lights, radios, or a transport cage. Most PIU of this age have 100,000 or more miles, and 4-5,000 idle hours on the clock. I was looking to avoid the hard usage and worn out interiors most PIU's get during the service life.


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My PIU has almost 140,000 on it and nearly 3200 hours of idling. The interior is in pretty fair condition actually. I haven't seen any evidence of a partition ever being installed. It does have the holes where the mounts would go but they look factory. Washington does a good job of decommissioning, no wire mess or anything.