I would like to know from owners how long their water pump has lasted on the 3.5L engines. Most water pumps are not designed to last the life of an engine.
Hi. I am new to the Forum, but have been doing extensive searches I this subject. I think we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg.
This Duratec 35 engine/water pump system is on the 2007-2014 Ford Edge, 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX, 2007-2014 Lincoln MKZ, 2008-2014 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008-2009 Mercury Sable, 2009-2004 Ford Flex, 2012-2012 Ford Fusion Sport, and 2011-2014 Ford Explorer.
You need to look at ALL of these forums I found this one by searching only on 'Duratech 35 problems' without the name of the model.
I am a young man, limited budget, first child on the way, from a Ford loving family. Bought my 2010 Ford Edge Limited for $15000, just 10 months ago. Certified pre-owned from the same well respected Ford Dealership where the original owner had purchased it and just recently traded it in.
Have just experienced catastrophic failure at 88000 miles due to water pump leaked and contaminated the engine oil with coolant....
$2300 quoted to replace water pump only, but told really need to replace engine too as bearings may be damaged ...
total $7000.
Records show that vehicle was meticulously maintained by previous owner and I have done the same. This has been my dream car and it has been running like a charm. I expected to drive it for 3 years and trade-up.... or 5 years with budget of $1000/yr for repairs (I got 10 years out of my Focus wagon).
After only 10 months on a relatively new car, I am facing a $7000 repair bill, and it happened with no warning. Three days ago, a few miles from home, the check engine light came on. I immediately paid attention. Car sounded fine, no sign of trouble, figured I would take it in to dealer after work.... and at about that point, the temperature gauge started to climb. As soon as I saw it heading for the red zone, I pulled over, turned if off and called the tow truck to take it to the dealership where I bought it. I understood the danger to the engine if I drove it overheated. Even though it is winter here and outside temperature was below zero, this gauge was climbing pretty fast.
The rest of the story can be found by searching the internet. The internal water pump (what were they thinking?) leaked coolant into the engine oil. Almost simultaneously, the sensor recognized a problem in the engine due to contaminated oil/bearings coming apart/oil pressure dropping just as coolant had dropped to a level that caused temperature to rise.
I think Ford is praying that these incidents remain isolated and unpublished. You won't see a recall. I wonder how many of these have happened under warranty, so we don't hear about them?
But we ALL know that water pumps do not have the same life span as the engine. Now we also know that these vehicles have a design that has the
potential to take out the motor with it when it fails... so what does it matter if it fails within warranty OR at anytime after 60,000 miles? Since when is this acceptable?
Who wants to pay thousands of dollars for a premium used vehicle that could experience catastrophic failure at any moment? If it really is so rare, then clearly there was a defect in that particular vehicle, and Ford should eat the cost! But I think it is happening more frequently than we know.
HELP! Any ideas? I can't wait for a class action suit to recover my costs. Ford denies there is a problem. I am waiting to see if I can negotiate anything with the dealership to lower the costs of the repairs. May move it to our trusted family service garage and have them replace the motor & water pump...they have quoted about $4000 - but there wouldn't be the same warranty.
You know the water pump will leak/fail again at some point, so only recourse is to sell this time bomb to another victim. Whatever I do, I am pooched on this purchase. Will never buy another vehicle with this engine.... Love the EDGE... I am heartbroken.