Stop me if you've heard this one...

[SHO_Fast]

So, I stop into my Ford/Lincoln dealer today because I had received a postcard from Lincoln saying they will donate $75 to one of several charities if I take a new Lincoln for a test drive. Mind you, I just traded in my 2011 otherwise every-option Non-PP SHO with 149K miles on it and bought a 2015 MkS 3.7L AWD from the Used Car department there 6 weeks ago, so I am not really in the market. But I would like to take that new Continental around the block...

So I stick my head into the Used Car manager's office to say "hi", and he's like, "Boy, you sure picked the right time to trade in that Taurus!" I mumbled something about how he was right, because I got a good deal on the MkS, am very pleased with it, and he had treated exceedingly well with the trade-in of the Taurus. But he's like "No, the water pump went out and blew up the engine!" I'm like "You're kidding!" He told me that the new owners had it two weeks when the engine failed. He thought perhaps the water pump had failed, and the new owners didn't notice and drove it for a few days until the engine overheated, somehow leading to its failure. Somewhat hard to imagine, but I guess it is possible if you are really not paying attention to the car!

Needless to say I was flabbergasted. He told me that having the water pump itself done would have been a couple grand. That would have been my bill if I had still owned the car. Also, we have no idea how the car was being driven by the new owner, whether nicely or if it was being flogged mercilessly.

But here is the kicker! How they treated the Taurus' new owner made me glad I had bought a car from this guy. Even though the car was sold As-Is, No Warranty, and the Dealer was not liable for any issues, they replaced the engine with a Ford re-manufactured engine after having the customer pay a $500 deductible. That seemed like an awesome thing for them to do. I was pretty impressed, and glad that I had chosen to do business with them!!!

Having no idea if the new owner is hanging out here or not, I am not including names of individuals or the dealer.

Have an awesome day!
SHOFast, in an MkS
(sweet ride by the way!)

 

[SHOdded]

Nice to hear a complimentary story once in a while. With these engines (naturally aspirated or turbo'd), water pump failure is a WHEN not an IF. The main lesson: if it ever overheats, pull off the road immediately, and have it towed to your repair shop/dealership. Do not drive it any further.

Also, coolant changes should be more frequent than the 105K mark Ford sets. Note that subsequent changes are at 60K intervals, so why not from the start???

 

[SHO_Fast]

Thanks SHOdded, and good advice by the way. I agree, it is nice to hear good news and happy stories for a change, especially about a dealer.

 

[mrhighcaliber]

Thanks for sharing that. Positive things are never shared enough. Glad they took care of them.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[brucelinc]

Good story! Did you ever drive the Continental?

 

[SHOinVa]

LOL Yes that was a great story BUT now I feel like I need to start a "Water Pump" collection jar, two grand to replace a water pump, I am now scared to drive my car. DAMN

 

[SHOdded]

Some say that you shoukd only use oem coolant coz they contain protectants that aftermarket coolants do not. OTOH. Others advocate using HD coolants. Who knows, LOL.

But flushing fluids more frequently is definitely not money down the drain.

 

[rubydist]

for some reason, the newer Ford V6 engines need to be dropped out of the car to change the water pump, like Fusion and MKZ V6. that results in about $2000 cost for a water pump replacement. maybe the SHO is the same way.

 

[SHOdded]

Nope don't need to do that with the SHO. It's just getting to the water pump is a a major PITA.

 

[SHO_Fast]

Good story! Did you ever drive the Continental?

Which brings us to the sad part of my story Bruce. So now we are in the New Car showroom, having left the Used Car department, and we are looking at what they have in there, when my wife strategically remembers that her lease is up on her Subaru in September. Suddenly the focus is on her, and the conversation shifts to what she might like. Naturally, being the understanding husband and all that I am, I gave up my drive of the Continental so that my wife could drive an Escape and an MkC. I can see that I may have to return without her so I can get -my- drive in...

I won't be ready for a new car for four or five years anyway, having just bought the MkS, which is no slouch. I log too many miles and go upside down a car in a big hurry. Makes more sense for me to buy 2 year old used and drive it for a while. When I am ready for the next one I will have some nice cars to choose from, maybe even yours!

I recall you picking up your Continental a month or two ago, how do you like it? What were you driving prior to that?

 

[SHO_Fast]

LOL Yes that was a great story BUT now I feel like I need to start a "Water Pump" collection jar, two grand to replace a water pump, I am now scared to drive my car. DAMN

May you be spared from that expense! However, as SHOdded points out, and to my shame, preventive maintenance, such as regular cooling system flush and fill is not a waste of money. If I were me and still owned that car, after this story that would be my next expense. At least consult the Owner's Manual for guidance.

 

[SHO_Fast]

Some say that you shoukd only use oem coolant coz they contain protectants that aftermarket coolants do not. OTOH. Others advocate using HD coolants. Who knows, LOL.

But flushing fluids more frequently is definitely not money down the drain.

Again, good advice SHOdded. When I was a kid we changed the coolant every year or so. It was just one of the things we did to take care of the cars. Now, with these long life coolants and "sealed systems", even I have forgotten about that kind of thing. There is no doubt that clean coolant, in the proper mix ratio is essential to long system life.

The other thing I think to keep in mind is that my car did have 150,000 miles on it. It was well maintained otherwise and not seriously beat. The pump may simply have been worn out and the victim of old age!

 

[SHO_Fast]

Nope don't need to do that with the SHO. It's just getting to the water pump is a a major PITA.

Is it really a ~$2,000 PITA? That's outrageous!

 

[Majestic]

I've learned to never put tap water in the coolant system. Either premixed coolant or coolant and distilled water.

 

[SHO_Fast]

I've learned to never put tap water in the coolant system. Either premixed coolant or coolant and distilled water.

When we were kids we never used anything but tap water, and of course it didn't do the systems any good either. Now I have access to R.O. (reverse osmosis) water. which works very well. I prefer the concentrate stuff, I hate paying for water. Just like these new foaming soaps, paying for a bottle of 90% water...

 

[SHOdded]

Is it really a ~$2,000 PITA? That's outrageous!

Mainly because you got a lot of steps in the process, including draining and refilling coolant & oil. Adds up. Guess what the coolant pump costs? $25 bucks from Gates, LOL

 

[Majestic]

When we were kids we never used anything but tap water, and of course it didn't do the systems any good either. Now I have access to R.O. (reverse osmosis) water. which works very well. I prefer the concentrate stuff, I hate paying for water. Just like these new foaming soaps, paying for a bottle of 90% water...

I hear you. But convenience is king these days. I'll buy the premium gas and the premixed coolant (among other things) to protect the relatively high dollar car.

 

[Johnbigdog]

Just to bring this to light, the water pump is driven my the timing chain on these cars. So to replace it the front cover comes off, the chain then the pump. Btw there is not a lot of room to work in for this specific job.

The good news is the f150's pump are now external.

 

[brucelinc]

I won't be ready for a new car for four or five years anyway, having just bought the MkS, which is no slouch. I log too many miles and go upside down a car in a big hurry. Makes more sense for me to buy 2 year old used and drive it for a while. When I am ready for the next one I will have some nice cars to choose from, maybe even yours!

I recall you picking up your Continental a month or two ago, how do you like it? What were you driving prior to that?

I agree buying slightly used makes more financial sense. I am very happy with my Conti, although I miss the aftermarket availability of tunes and other products that are readily available for the SHO and MKS. I had an MKS ecoboost prior to the Continental. I think the MKS is under rated. The Conti is slightly better in some ways but the MKS is a fine car.

 

[OmaHahn]

for some reason, the newer Ford V6 engines need to be dropped out of the car to change the water pump, like Fusion and MKZ V6. that results in about $2000 cost for a water pump replacement. maybe the SHO is the same way.

Holy ****!!! So glad I got the 5 year extended warranty when I bought mine off lease!! Wow!