Ford 3.5 issues on a 2010 Edge?

[Nitronoise]

Looking for a inexpensive daily drive found a nice one at a small retired guy car lot near my teaching gig
Car is clean, new tires and brakes everything works but that dreaded water pump thing ???
How can you tell if its been changed out?

Thank in advance

 

[Rand]

soemtimes new tires mask issues.

I get why they don't want to sell it with baldies.. but it can also cover up for bent suspension bad wear etc.
The water pump? Service records would be one way.

 

[John Galt]

There is an iPhone app called FordPass. If you get the app pretending it’s your car and input the vin number you can get the service records for work done at Ford dealers. Carfax is also useful for researching the service records done at shops that report to carfax, many do not report. If the work was done by a shade tree guy you won’t find the record and likely you wouldn’t want the car anyway. He probably used aftermarket parts. You want the OEM parts. Very complicated job for a one off mechanic.

If the service records show the car was service regularly you are probably okay and getting a good price because of the negativity surrounding the water pump failure issue. A 2010 has the first generation timing chain which is a negative but since it’s normally aspirated and not turbocharged, the engine is probably going to outlast the cars underside because it was a salt belt car.

Frankly, I’d be more worried about salt induced rust and hidden corrosion if it’s a Chicago area car.

 

[Nitronoise]

There is an iPhone app called FordPass. If you get the app pretending it’s your car and input the vin number you can get the service records for work done at Ford dealers. Carfax is also useful for researching the service records done at shops that report to carfax, many do not report. If the work was done by a shade tree guy you won’t find the record and likely you wouldn’t want the car anyway. He probably used aftermarket parts. You want the OEM parts. Very complicated job for a one off mechanic.

If the service records show the car was service regularly you are probably okay and getting a good price because of the negativity surrounding the water pump failure issue. A 2010 has the first generation timing chain which is a negative but since it’s normally aspirated and not turbocharged, the engine is probably going to outlast the cars underside because it was a salt belt car.

Frankly, I’d be more worried about salt induced rust and hidden corrosion if it’s a Chicago area car.

My daughter has an I phone and I didn think of carfax ,thank you

 

[dnewton3]

How can you tell if its been changed out?

Other than a physical inspection of the pump (inside the cover; a 10-hour job) ...

If they have reasonable records from a credible shop or dealership, or real receipts of the parts, I'd be skeptical.

 

[D60]

You could look for signs the timing cover has been disturbed: bolt heads with wear from a socket not seated square (unlikely) or lots of sealant oozing out (still not conclusive)

There ARE jackscrew locations that would have witness marks where the screws push, but I don't think you can realistically see the space to make a conclusive determination.

Even then, you don't know if a quality pump was used and what timing components were used.