The Hidden Time Bomb In Ford’s 3.7L V6 And How To Avoid It

If you’ve got a Ford with a 3.7-liter V6 from the 2010s, here’s something you’ll want to know, especially if it came out of an Explorer or a cop car. This engine was used in everything from Mustangs to F-150s, and while it puts out decent power, there’s a hidden issue that could ruin your day (and your engine).

In certain models, like the Explorer Police Interceptor, the engine is mounted sideways, and that means the water pump is buried inside the engine. Yup—it's not outside where you can get to it easily, but deep in the middle, run by the timing chain.

That’s a problem. When this water pump fails, and it will at some point, it can leak coolant right into the oil, and that’s a recipe for major engine damage. In one case, an engine with just 50,000 miles was already toast. Metal shavings everywhere, coolant where it shouldn't be, and a busted water pump with chunks missing.

These police vehicles do sit and idle a lot, which wears stuff down faster. But still, 50k is way too early for that kind of failure.

The worst part is that replacing that water pump isn’t cheap. Since it’s so buried, labor costs can be high. Long story short: if you’ve got one of these V6s, especially in an Explorer or similar setup, keep tabs on the water pump. Or better yet, get it replaced before it turns into a disaster.