After having the internal water pump in the 3.5L V6 engine of my 2013 Taurus fail last week (9/30/2019), and receiving next day the $2800 repair cost to get it fixed, I got on-line and started investigating. I see many, many others with the same issue and high repair costs with this engine model. Many have had to replace the entire engine as a result of coolant being dumped into the crankcase when this pump fails. The big issue in my case is that there is no way for Ford to know if my engine is compromised as a result. And of course, Ford is refusing to guarantee the engine itself in any way.

I had a coolant level drop start to occur a few months back, and had the local Ford dealer look at it right away. They could find no reason for the coolant level drop. Their answer was to just keep adding coolant as needed. So I did.

Now I am left with a huge repair bill and no confidence that I won't be running into this again, or worse - a total engine failure - as soon as I get the car back. Very frustrated at the moment.

I noticed a coolant leak on the passenger side of the engine streaming down the alternator/ A/C compressor area. I took it in for diagnostics and found out that the water pump needs to be replaced. This job is huge as the engine has to be removed from the vehicle and taken all apart, just to replace the pump. The water pump is timing chain driven and is embedded inside the engine. Sometimes, complete failure of the water pump will allow coolant to leak into the oil, destroying the engine. There are 2 “weep” holes that leak coolant out to warn you before the problem gets worse. In this case, the coolant is leaking out of the “weep” hole located behind the alternator and the water pump has not completely failed yet. It’s a very expensive fix. My mechanic is replacing all the timing parts while the engine is already open (chains, tensions, guides, seals, etc.) which costs even more.

Coolant reservoir began to mysteriously lose coolant over the course of several weeks. I had dye placed in the fluid to help identify any leaks. The repair shop recommended I drive ~100 miles to allow the dye to mix through the system and eventually find the leak. During this driving period I came out from work one evening and a large puddle of coolant was underneath my Taurus. Towed to the dealership to have it diagnosed as a leaking water pump.

The prognosis was drop the sub-frame and remove the timing cover to replace the internal water pump. Out the door was ~$3,000 (naturally 80% labor). The vehicle has preformed wonderfully throughout it's life (and continues to do so). I personally believe the 3.5 is a very simple and easy engine to work on with the one exception being this water pump - a very very very expensive wear item to have buried in the engine

6/10 recommend buying used WITH record of a water pump service. This part will eventually fail, and if not caught in time, will destroy your engine, good luck!