# 2018 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost Water Pump Audit | Phoenix, AZ | ScanMyEstimate

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> Comprehensive line-item repair estimate audit for 2018 Ford F-150 SuperCrew in Phoenix, AZ. Flat-rate labor benchmarks, software markup detection, and service advisor scripts.

# 2018 Ford F-150 SuperCrew

Phoenix, AZ 85001

Engine: 3.5L Twin-Turbo EcoBoost V6 (Gen 2) - Regional Truck Center - Ref #SME-2018-for

Overcharge Alert

Quoted Estimate $1050.00

Fair Published Standard $785.00

Identified Savings
$265.00

Strata Trust Score 73/100

Itemized Line-Item Breakdown

| Service Description | Quoted | Fair Standard | Audit Verdict |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Engine Water Pump Assembly Replacement Book time: 2.5 hr (Quoted: 3.2 hr) • Labor rate: $185/hr Parts: Motorcraft Water Pump Assembly (PW-598) - $195.00 • Thermostat & Housing - $53.00 | $840.00 3.2 hrs labor | $622.50 2.5 hrs labor | +$154.50 overage (+0.7 hr labor) |
| Cooling System Vacuum Drain, Refill & Bleed Book time: 0.4 hr (Quoted: 0.8 hr) • Teardown overlap procedure Parts: Motorcraft Yellow 50/50 Coolant (2 Gal) - $62.00 | $210.00 0.8 hrs labor | $115.00 0.4 hrs labor | +$78.00 overage (Uncredited overlap) |

Double-Billed Coolant Refill Overlap

Coolant evacuation and vacuum refilling is already an integrated step in published water pump replacement labor standards. Billing a standalone 0.8 hr coolant flush double-charges fluid refill labor.

Exact Questions to Ask Your Service Advisor:

"Since cooling system draining and refilling is an integral part of water pump replacement, does this quote deduct overlapping labor from the coolant service?"

"Published flat rate for 3.5L EcoBoost water pump replacement is 2.5 hours. Your quote lists 3.2 hours. Can you explain the additional 0.7 hours?"

Ford 3.5L EcoBoost Cooling System Health Profile

Expected Lifespan: Engine Water Pump: 90,000 - 120,000 Miles • Thermostat: 80,000 - 100,000 Miles

Technical Recommendations for this Procedure:

- ✓ Gen 2 3.5L EcoBoost uses an external water pump driven by the serpentine belt; always replace the thermostat housing assembly concurrently.
- ✓ Use exclusively Motorcraft Yellow OAT coolant; never mix with older Orange coolant to avoid silicate gelling.
- ✓ Perform a vacuum cooling refill to prevent trapped air pockets that cause localized cylinder head overheating.

**Common Failure Symptoms:** Sweet coolant odor near front grille, crusty white or orange coolant staining around weep hole, temperature gauge fluctuations while towing.

**Regional / Climate Factor (Phoenix, AZ):** Arizona desert summer towing creates extreme cooling pressure spikes; replacing aged radiator cap (21 psi) prevents hose blowout.

- Component Inspection Guide

Centrifugal Engine Water Pump & Dynamic Shaft Seal

Failure Mechanism: Mechanical Seal Weep Hole Leakage & Bearing Play

Dual-turbo EcoBoost engines generate intense thermal loads. When the internal carbon-ceramic dynamic seal fails, coolant bypasses the weep chamber into the front accessory drive.

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