Water pump under Warranty, should I do anything else ?

[joefoss]

I had extremely good payout from one used car warranty. 2 others I had, I used once and the other I didn’t use at all. I think I put over $8,000 on the first.

I got a quote for my 119K Explorer for $85.00 a Mo. I am going on a long road trip this summer and plan to get the aftermarket insurance and then cancel when I get back home. I know how some service shops gouge out-of-state people who need emergency to get home. I like the Explorer which looks good as I built it up with 19 inch mag wheels, added a used 240-50 Amp alternator with digital amp gauge, exterior driving lights, both LED bar and added the FYRLYT , made in Australia, 200 watt off-road lights, as the projection lamps are **** for regular driving.

 

[mguy13sport]

Definitely do the timing set with new chains, guides, tensioners etc... It may be worth replacing the oil pump if you're planning long term. The cam phasers tend to make noise as they get older from lack of oil pressure on cold startups.

 

[RonParise]

The best you can do is what I am doing with our 2015 Edge. Keep a constant eye on your coolant level. ANY drop in coolant is cause for immediate concern. If you are lucky the water pump will fail slow enough to not have a catastrophic failure that takes out the engine.

94Eddie

Heres the advice you gave in another thread

Also, the best way to monitor the water pump is to check the reservoir coolant level religiously. Any drop, and I mean ANY drop, in coolant level in the reservoir is cause for immediate concern. As Ron stated, if the shaft seal goes you will be very luck to catch it before the engine is taken out. This seal can fail quickly and catastrophically with no warning and no way to prevent engine failure. Especially if running at highway speeds when it fails. I check our Edge's coolant level via the reservoir tank 2-3 times a week. I plan to get the water pump replaced around 125k-135k miles. If the chains and guides are in very good condition then I will skip replacing them since they are very robust parts in the 3.5L engines and rarely fail.

Bottom line, check the fluid level, but also do a preemptive replacement

Ive also installed a fluid level alarm, For those that havent seen my post on the subject.... here it is

I now have almost 350,000 miles on my 2011 explorer. I did a preemptive water pump replacement at 200,000. so now its time to start thinking about doing it again.. I check everything regularly but I dont believe that there is anything I can do to protect against the shaft seal failing . I mean I could check the fluid level and look at the oil every morning, but if the seal fails in the afternoon Im looking at a new engine.......

So what I did was to install a water level sensor in the expansion tank. Its a little rough, but i think Im onto something

I bought a small float switch and a red light, and scrounged around my garage for the pvc pipe, wire and washers

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When the float is in this position the red light is off



View attachment 425880




In this position the light is on


View attachment 425881







I suspended the switch so the float is below the cold water level mark on the tank, So if the water level drops, so does the float and the red light comes on



View attachment 425882


I attached the switch to a washer that was the exact diameter of the outside diameter of the pipe The switch hung below the washer and the washer sets on top of the pipe, The pipe unions I had were too thick walled to fit in the expansion tank so I used tape to to secure the two sections of pipe together,


View attachment 425884



And then dropped it into the expansion tank


View attachment 425885


I cut if off so the expansion tank cap would fit and wired it up. I drilled a hole near the the top of the tank for the wires, sealed it with an epoxy and then tested it by removing the hose on the bottom of the tank to drain water from the tank....the red light mounted on my dash went on... I replaced the hose, added water and the light went off....... Success


Im calling this my proof of concept, design or prototype. I intend to find a better way to suspend the switch at the right level without using tape, to hold the two pieces of pipe together or use a non contact fluid level sensor

Call it a work in progress

 

[Mbrooks420]

How much did the warranties cost and what was the maximum mileage/time they provided covered? Just curious as our Edge just went out of its extended warranty.

The first was around 1,000 and was for 3 year unlimited mileage. Car had to have under 100k on it at the time e of purchase. $100 deductible per repair visit.

The other two were also in the 1,000 range. I think they were 3 year 36k and 4 years 48k.

 

[peterk9]

Check out this thread. Many members have bought from Joel and I believe he offers a 2-year interest-free payment plan. Better than dealer pricing and not a 3rd party warranty.

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