Hello everyone, this is my first time posting through this app. Going to try to make this short and sweet. Ford quoted me $2,750 for a water pump and thermostat housing. I’m going to do it myself. Some Ford master tech YouTuber mentioned in his video that he always replaces the heater hoses since they are notorious for developing a leak. I don’t see any other leaks, and Ford only mentioned the pump and thermostat housing that’s leaking with the pressure test. Should I also be replacing the radiator hoses as well?
If you want to change them, it won’t hurt. I’ve always just squeezed them while the truck is running; if I can pinch them closed while coolant is running through the system, they’re too worn out and need to be replaced.
Which engine? How many miles?
So, the heater core supply and return hoses are notorious for leaking on second gens, the radiator hoses not so much. Do the water pump, gasket, thermostat housing, and take a peek at the drive belt and idler/tensioner while you’re in there.
Also, $2,750 is fucking outrageous for a water pump in the F150 with a 2.7 or 3.5; that’s honestly edge/explorer 3.5 after pump pricing.
@Holland
Isn’t the water pump external?
On the F150s, yes, which is why $2,750 is outrageous for its replacement. That amount is more in line with the cost of replacement of the internal pump found on transverse 3.5/3.7 engines.
@Holland
Let me give you a better one; they found my passenger side valve cover cracked, and guess how much they quoted me? (Drumroll)… $2k!
Vale said:
@Holland
Let me give you a better one; they found my passenger side valve cover cracked, and guess how much they quoted me? (Drumroll)… $2k!
It trips me out that places get away with charging that much.
I did.
Guys, I forgot to add in there that I have a '19 3.5 EB with 125k miles. $2,750 is TOTALLY outrageous. I just finished placing an order through RockAuto. Going to slap in a new water pump, tstat, housing, and new heater inlet and outlet hoses. Also ordered CV axles. $780 for everything, all OEM parts. A little pricey, but I guess it’s reasonable for 6 years of ownership.
@Vale
Careful of those IWE bolts if you have to remove it. They are soft as hell. 29 ft lbs or something, I think. Over-torqued like an idiot causing a 2-3 hour job to turn into 5.
Shan said:
@Vale
Careful of those IWE bolts if you have to remove it. They are soft as hell. 29 ft lbs or something, I think. Over-torqued like an idiot causing a 2-3 hour job to turn into 5.
Dang, that sucks. Thanks for the heads up!
@Vale
Yeah, I also had to get a pull hammer. I might just be weak, but I couldn’t pull the axle out to save my life!
I had my local mechanic do the water pump and thermostat for $600 last June on a 2015 3.5EB. GB, WI, shop rate was $135/hr, I think. The local stealership was $205/hr, and I didn’t even think of going to them.
@Dallas
I need to look for a good reputable shop in case I really don’t have time or the will to do the job.
Vale said:
@Dallas
I need to look for a good reputable shop in case I really don’t have time or the will to do the job.
Bonus is that they can and will mount ATV tires…ever try to get a tire on a 9" rim with a 10" diameter bead? Almost had a heart attack trying…
Local Meineke did this for me almost 2 years ago for just under $700 bucks. The dealerships have a few good people working there (usually mechanics, but not all their mechanics); their sales-related folks in the shop typically are garbage.
What were your symptoms of the water pump being bad? Overheating?
Vanya said:
What were your symptoms of the water pump being bad? Overheating?
With my 2015, it was squeaking and ticking…but the leak out the shaft was evaporating, so no puddle on the ground, but I was down some coolant.