Just joined the expensive water pump club…

Can’t believe the repair costs on this water pump! First estimate came back up to $4000 from a mechanic I trust, and Ford quoted me $5100. This repair is practically worth the car’s value. What’s going on with these prices?!

It’s wild, right? When ours went on our 2015 3.5 NA with 230k miles, we ended up just swapping the engine. We got a 3.7 NA from a wrecked cop car for less than the water pump and timing chain replacement would have cost. Came with cats too, so we saved big time!

@Joss
Nice! How does the 3.7 compare to the 3.5?

Gray said:
@Joss
Nice! How does the 3.7 compare to the 3.5?

Surprisingly, it’s got some pep! Not a huge boost in power, but it feels sportier, especially in sand terrain mode. My wife says merging and passing are a breeze.

@Joss
Awesome, sounds like a win!

@Joss
Probably has a lot of idle hours, though?

Harlan said:
@Joss
Probably has a lot of idle hours, though?

Yeah, but our local police service has maintenance schedules based on hours instead of miles, so it’s been well taken care of. We had a mechanic check it out, and it was spotless inside.

@Joss
Smart move! I had my 2015 Sport’s water pump replaced, then less than a year later the engine blew with white smoke pouring out. Dealer says it’s not related to the water pump work. Thinking about the 3.7 swap—is it a direct fit?

@Andi
Oh, and it’s at 96k miles and Ecoboost. Super frustrating!

@Andi
The 3.7 NA is a drop-in replacement for the 3.5 NA as long as the model years are close. We put a 2016 engine into our 2015 with no issues.

Mine failed at 162k miles. Local shop did it for $2500, including a new timing chain, guides, and spark plugs. I was lucky to catch it before coolant leaked into the oil.

Diya said:
Mine failed at 162k miles. Local shop did it for $2500, including a new timing chain, guides, and spark plugs. I was lucky to catch it before coolant leaked into the oil.

Mine’s around the same mileage. I think the first shop just didn’t want the job since they’re backed up for weeks. No coolant in the oil, thankfully, but it’s leaking from the weep hole.

Diya said:
Mine failed at 162k miles. Local shop did it for $2500, including a new timing chain, guides, and spark plugs. I was lucky to catch it before coolant leaked into the oil.

Same here, paid around $2500. I have the front-wheel drive model, though. I hear AWD makes the repair pricier.

Diya said:
Mine failed at 162k miles. Local shop did it for $2500, including a new timing chain, guides, and spark plugs. I was lucky to catch it before coolant leaked into the oil.

Paid $2500 for mine too, and I was at 197k miles when it went. Also did spark plugs.

I’m at 235k miles, and when the pump goes, I’m just going to swap the whole engine with a remanufactured one. Labor costs for just the pump are nearly the same!

Farrell said:
I’m at 235k miles, and when the pump goes, I’m just going to swap the whole engine with a remanufactured one. Labor costs for just the pump are nearly the same!

I’m at 190k miles and thinking the same. A reman engine with a warranty feels like the better route.

If you can do the repair yourself, it’s worth it. Most people can’t, though.

Vale said:
If you can do the repair yourself, it’s worth it. Most people can’t, though.

Exactly! Just need the time to get it done.

Got mine done in Florida for $2300. Dealer wanted 5k.

Reagan said:
Got mine done in Florida for $2300. Dealer wanted 5k.

Where in Florida? Mine hasn’t failed yet, but I’d like a backup plan.