Ford 3.0L V6 Duratec Engine: The One Fatal Flaw That Will Destroy This Engine!

[@patmason7276]

Friend has one with 300,000 miles still going. His dodge ,Mazda,and Honda are dead but the escape is still rolling.

[@MrSnake-dh3hu]

I have a Taurus still going at 256,000.

[@travisa1326]

I came here because I'm looking at an escape

[@banzairx7]

It's funny you mention Mazda. This engine is actually a Mazda design.

[@patmason7276]

@@banzairx7 Ford had big shares in Mazda long time ago kept them from going bankrupt. But the contour and mystique cars Ford had where Mazda base where horrible we worked on them all the time had ass load of recalls.

[@dandiegidio7729]

2005 Escape 319k running good

[@phin12710]

My wife & I have a 2005 Escape XLT Sport 3.0 L V-6 that we bought new and now has over 180,000 miles on it and is still running strong except for a small oil leak. I'm giving it to my sister next month. This is one of the best cars I have ever owned.

[@chrisannunziata7628]

Just happened to come across this and realized that's the engine in my Ford 500. Needless to say I'm gonna check those bolts now considering I'm coming up on 250k miles. Got the car for free and only have about $500 into it so far. Junkyard near me has a few of these engines in good shape so if I need one I'm set. Thanks for the great information.

[@goldilocks5568]

That's what's great about these engines. You can take them to 200+ thousand miles, and then get another one for not much and do it again. These cars bodies fail before there engine.

[@Kevin-ib4gv]

2004 Taurus SES Duratec 24v with 295,000 miles. Pulled the valve covers due to leaking oil. Flexible gaskets were hard as a rock and had 1/8" gaps in areas allowing the oil to leak. I saw this video and checked my cam bolts which were fine when torqued to 89-inch lbs. I don't think this loose bolt situation is a design flaw. More like a bad torque value when assembled in some instances but who knows what really caused it in some cases. I do know many people who swear by the Duratec 24v and have driven them over 300,000 miles no problem, and overall the engine is not known for this loose cam-bolt problem, or a service bulletin would have been issued.

[@jaredbrown1662]

There is a service bulletin for it.

[@edwardmyers1746]

Dang!! When you pulled the cover at first I was like wheres the carnage? Then I saw the lifters and spit out my coffee 😂

[@jamesplotkin4674]

There must have been a lot of noise going on in there. Some car owners are so oblivious. It's like that Navigator with chain rattle for at least 100k miles!

[@ftby59mikeD]

One fatal flaw, that's the understatement of the year! Thx Brian for your insight once again.

[@SuperchargedJester]

Thanks, about to do vc gaskets on our 2003 Mazda mpv that uses this engine. 210k miles and going strong. I think I'll replace those bolts as a precaution

[@derrike50]

What other gaskets did you change besides the vc?

[@tjw8t1]

I had these engines in both of the Ford Tauruses I had with zero issues in both of them.

[@93sundance]

My neighbor used to have an Escape. She took good care of it and one day she showed up and it sounded like this. Makes sense now.

[@TekMan05]

This actually happened to me on my 3v. It was my fault though as I was the one who tightened the cam caps. I caught it early thankfully and used ARP studs afterwards.

[@5jjt]

Why say that it is your fault? Did you use a torque wrench?

[@cannaroe1213]

@@5jjt What evenis the right torque? :'-(

[@tedtedness184]

Did you clean out the threads with acetone and use locktite blue?

[@DVrec22]

question... with the bolts loose did u have any misfires or noises??

[@TekMan05]

@@DVrec22 Loud tapping noises. Less power.

[@matthybel955]

My Dads 1996 Ford Taurus GL had this same engine as well as his 2001 Mercury Sable LS Premium, never had an issue with either of them and they were some of the best most powerful engines we've ever had in our cars. His 2010 Fusion Sport has the 3.5 Duratec which is the more updated version of this engine and that runs like a high performance V8, very very fast car.

[@davidtoups4684]

My 2001 Escape had an engine failure at around 96,000, it dropped a cylinder (valve or head gasket we suspected) replaced it with a low mileage used engine and I drove it until around 220,000 when the trans failed. I replaced it with a 2008 Escape and I drove it up to 275,000 on the original engine and trans. It still ran good when I traded it in. It did leak oil around the water pump pulley, but I checked the oil often and kept it filled.

[@ryanmelton7495]

I have the exact same situation with my 2008 escape with oil leaking around the water pump pulley. Is the pulley just an idler pulley for the water pump?

[@seanpinson9030]

Got a 2001 sable w a dohc engine and I have 217600 and it sounds like a new car still. It seems to beat up motor mounts which have been replaced twice in 18 months and trans mount. Other than that she runs like a champ!! Very good engine

[@BV-nq7wd]

Haven't seen that on the Mazda side. I have seen a few cams seize due to lack of oil change resulting in jumped timing and then on to bent valves. I did have my father-in-law drive in one day. He had just come from about a hundred mile road trip.he said when he had started the car up that morning that it had a misfire. He found that it would run better if he put it in a lower gear. So he drove it almost a hundred miles with a misfire. I told him that if he had just stopped and parked it I could have fixed it for under $100. I informed him that I guarantee that he destroyed a catalytic converter and now it was going to cost him over a grand. He learned his lesson that day.

[@garylangley4502]

I was just thinking that replacing the bolts and using some thread locker might be a good idea. BTW: I just call oil leaks the "continuous oil change program."

[@christopherhylton8462]

Yeah, the 3.0 Dura-crap engines are like the old BMW's that come through the shop. If they are not leaking oil in your bay floor there is a problem...... the engine is out of oil.

[@tjroelsma]

That's a British invention: old British engines, be it car or motorcycle engines, had to leak oil. Thus you were sure of two things: 1. there actually is still oil in the engine 2. there is oil pressure

[@garylangley4502]

I always have a bag of the cheapest kitty litter for the leaks. "If there ain't any oil under them, there ain't any oil in them."

[@JesusSaves86AB]

I call it free undercoat, standard on most Chev's.

[@christopherhylton8462]

@@tjroelsma Ah yes, the Brits. Old Brit cars with their oil leaks and Lucas electrical systems. There is a reason why they called Lucas "The Prince of Darkness".

[@Random-rt5ec]

Awesome video excellent lighting. Shame to see an engine ruined by a pair of loose bolts. For me it shows the value of finding a great mechanic like you & keeping the car maintained.

[@thelonelywolf88]

I've got this engine on my Five Hundred. Nice to know it's a very tough, reliable engine

[@jhopk83388]

The 3.0 on my escape is up to 230k ! Got 193k out of the original transmission too. Going for 300- your right on the oil leaks - holy cow ! Everywhere !

[@forgedsteelwrench9249]

I had a 2.5 duratec SVT Contour. It was a fun engine to drive when you pair it with a 5 speed manual. Mine had a steady diet of Castrol full synthetic. These engines as the miles pick up, the valve train is super noisy on start up. Mine did not make it past the 200k mile mark. Shot a rod at 171k.

[@silentr961]

I had a 98 Contour SE 2.5 v6, it survived everything, but the timing chain guides gave up at 177K. It was fun to drive..

[@DavidWebster-m8e]

That's because you used castrol

[@grantjohnston7148]

I had two 08 3.0 fwd fusions, one with a magna flow exhaust, and the other with a large cold air intake. Drove both of them hard all the time, never had any major problems !

[@chriswright8464]

Love your videos, worse is 3.5 v6 in my edge. Hope the water pump never goes.

[@LucasWirz-bf4gv]

just had the plastic elbow on my water pump break so figured id redo the water pump and take care of the oil leak from the valve cover while I've got it the pulley off and the engine bay open. thanks for the heads up, I'll definitely make sure to tighten things up while Im in there

[@memadmax69]

Wow, I've seen the adjusters get blown out... But, never shoved into the valve cover perfectly like that lololololololololol

[@craiglamb9029]

I had a customer with this exact cam cap issue happen on a 1.5l EcoBoost, 2017 escape, 73,xxx miles. Intake cam caps stated loosening from the end of the cam to the front. All but the front cap. (Phaser cap) loosened. Took out the vacuum pump, lots of fine metal sludge in the head and Engine. Replaced the head, timing belt, vacuum pump, intake cam, spark plugs, gaskets/ seals bolts etc. Changed the oil about 3 times in 1000miles. It's at 90k now. I still perform the oil changes for the customer personally, just to do check ups on it. Going strong.

[@paulstandaert2042]

Those bolts were improperly tightened at the engine factory. The ones that are broken were either stretched beyond their yield point or backed out and the slop from the cam cap slopping around was enough to fatigue them. It is also possible that somewhere during assembly, there was too much oil in the threads which resulted in a hydrolocking condition and the torque specs didn't correspond with clamping force and it just took a long time for it to become a problem. This cam/follower setup isn't unique to this engine by a long shot. And normally, when cam cap bolts are removed from any engine, they take a good amount of force to loosen them and it is accompanied by a "crack" noise when they finally budge.

[@jccook5353]

Great reply. Informative. Concise.

[@grumpyg9350]

I've seen this in engines that have been overheated.👍😷

[@fastinradfordable]

As a mechanic I’ve realized most problems come from abuse. Wether you know you did it or not. My engine has over 400,000 and has been dead reliable. Because I don’t overheat it. I don’t skip oil maint.

[@brandonwillis9820]

Metals do expand under heat

[@Chris-eh3du]

WOW! That is pretty fatal indeed! Very happy with my 3.0 V6 Vulcan engine! Seems very bullet proof!

[@Dappersworth]

Tell me about it lol, mine overheated and just needed new headgaskets. No issues after replacing them.

[@wolfmanrebel874]

That's what I was thinking through the whole video, the Vulcan was far more reliable than duratec, duratec has all the plastic cooling system bs that gets brittle and blows out, timing guides that are an absolute pita compared to Vulcan and just simply alot more parts to break, now in comparison to gm 3.6 the duratec is the greatest thing ever but compared to 3.0 vulcan...nah ,just more power at the cost of simplicity and reliability like the modulars going from 2v to 3v...don't get me wrong it's not junk but Ford has done better, unfortunately those engineers from a time when men knew they were men from birth and preferred women are long gone and the poor confused folks stepping up to the plate nowdays arnt really sure where ANYTHING goes,lol I know this because I just changed a fuel pump driver module that was mounted on a rear differential, makes me wonder how they piss

[@zfreak2808]

It's a hardness issue. There are multiple bolts on the DOHC and OHV 3.0s that will snap in half if you tighten them just slightly.

[@realjaxon]

Good info. I have a 2002 DOHC 3.0 Taurus. I'm not hearing any strange noises, but now I'll be listening closer.

[@chilimax21]

I can vouch for the durability of the Duratec 3.0. I put over 326K miles on my Mazda 6 with the usual oil leaks, bad ignition coils and even overheating from failed plastic cooling pipe. Looking at the inside of that valve cover, it looks like the oil was not changed very often which could have been the cause of the failure.

[@Nobody-xh5qe]

Just got an '08 Milan with the 3.0 has 95,000 on it hopefully I can get another 100,000 of it seems to run pretty good.

[@jimr5703]

Bolts are coming loose. I've swapped many early 3L with the CAM driven water pumps into Ford Contours and for the first several I checked the CAMs and caps (among many other things) to be sure the engines were in good shape. During this process I found a few that were loose, so got into the habit of spot checking some bolts and torquing down all of them before dropping the motor into the car. Never had one come back. They are stout motors and match with the Contour beautifully.

[@DVrec22]

could u PLS tell me if the loose bolts would cause misfires and / or... the noises?? Or are those symptoms only AFTER the damage has been done and tightening them wouldn't save the engine anymore...

[@oxide8182]

I always enjoy your videos, even though I don't have a Ford. Wish Dodge had a guy like you.

[@09corvettezr1]

Ever heard of the Motorcity Mechanic?

[@videosenutube]

Chrysler,Dodge and Jeep=FDAutomotriz.

[@XJon2011]

Had a 01 ranger 5 speed manual 3.0. Original motor, trans, and clutch :0 lasted until 289k miles until the clutch blew up. Motor still good.

[@jd-py5nm]

ford fusion was reliable for a reason duratec loved my duratec

[@jdenke5873]

the early 2000's 3.0 had the blown out spark plug issue. helicoiled mine and drove it over 200K miles. good little motors and the AWD escape it was in was really good in the snow.

[@grabbber]

Brian.... long time Ford guy here Love your channel.

[@erictucker98]

glad i found this video. i have a 2006 Escape 2wd V6. i have currently 77K miles and it runs smooth at idle but in 4 gear going up a hill at 60mph and barely giving it gas it is missing a lot until i let off the foot feed and feather it.

[@halleffect1]

wow thanks again for the good information. if i owned a vehicle with this motor I would check it right away.

[@riclmilligan4345]

What about 2009?

[@joshhill1187]

I’m currently rebuilding mine cause of the same sound except it was a connecting rod bearing. So I ordered a new crank, all new bearings, oil pump and a couple different gasket kits.

[@nbrowser]

Oh wow...that's something new! That said...I got a '98 era 4.6 2V Triton that's sitting at 523,000Km...never been opened...yet! Knock on wood. Ford has made some great engines but some with interesting failure modes.

[@mauserdave]

I agree. 2002 4.6 2v with 262kmiles on it and still strong and smooth as hell. They should have kept using this engine.

[@suzenlewis474]

This is SUPER INFORMATIVE!! Thank you for explaining this. All of this has been happening to my 2002 Mazda MPV.

[@Visionery1]

When you removed the covers the first thing I saw was the lack of oil, the caps on both banks must be shot. How was the oil pressure in this engine, and how is the bottom end?

[@boomerguy9935]

Which years had this issue? The 2008 Escape still has the Gen 1 engine and auto transmission. When I bought my new-to-me model with 147K miles on it, I had the spark plugs, coils and valve cover gasket (and other gaskets) all replaced. While the head was off, I had my mechanic check the torque (slightly less than the full torque) to see if they were still tight, but not in danger of snapping. All was good. I'm in the process of replacing the fuel pump (erratic gauge) and belts. The engine purrs like a kitten, burns no oil and has no leaks since the valve cover gasket is new.

[@davedeatherage4902]

Thank you sir!, great info to know, I had a Vulcan 3.0 6 Cylinder had great performance out of it. But I've look at the Duratec 3.0 6 Cylinder engines. Thanks for you're shared info again.

[@jamesplotkin4674]

The 3.0 Vulcan is a great engine. Had one go over 300k in an 03 Taurus wagon. Only one transmission replacement, so I think that car owes me nothing. 3k oil and 25k trans fluid changes.

[@davedeatherage4902]

@@jamesplotkin4674 yeah mine was '2003' also James, a sedan, ses model, I drove from '2006' to December '2017', when I hit. Black ice. It only had 140,000 miles on it. It had 66,000 miles when I got the car, I miss that car. I was ill for 11 years and didn't drive much, had chronic pain. Great automobile to me

[@vlasfarg]

I am concerned I have this problem described in this excellent video building on the 2009 V6 Escape XLT I have bought last year for my son. It has now 140,000 miles. When bought at 126K miles, Spark plugs and filters changed (I have used Bosch Iridium at spec), SeaFoam treatment 25 miles before the oil change, transmission fluid changed. The car has been working great giving 28 miles / G. on the highway and 23 miles/g in the city. Way less vibrations, 10,000 miles with no issue at all. But, for the last 3,000 miles, Check Engine light coming and going (P0171 (too lean Bank1) P0303 (Cyl.3 Misfire)), and gas mileage dropped to 20 miles/g. I did put some Seafoam in the fuel tank, the Check Engine light went away (P0303 no more, but P0171 still read) for the duration of the whole tank (close to 400 miles), and gas mileage was again as good as it ever was. I refilled the gas tank and after about 150 miles, P0303+P0171 Check Engine light is back. I plan to move the Cyl.3 spark plug to Cyl.6, the Cyl.3 coil at Cyl.4 to see if the P0303 changes to another cylinder. Maybe I am wasting my time, please let me know. I have bought this car from a lady who had maintenance done on it regularly. I have gladly paid her asking price of $3,500. The car is in great shape, no sign of rust and fully loaded with everything working. There was some work needed on it, and that was an opportunity to teach my son not to be afraid and work on it. We had a lot of fun adding a tow hitch receiver, changing the brake rotors and pads, all the fluids, the filters, the spark plugs, the AC condenser, the oil pressure sensor. The car leaks a little bit of oil, likely from the distribution chains cover. And your videos, Sir, have made it all possible. Your videos are awesome, simply the best on these topics. How do we donate so you are encouraged and keep at helping us that well? Edit: I have found it: Paypal link in your account profile. Thank you again.

[@vlasfarg]

After moving the spark plug on C3 to C6 and switching the coils between C3 and C5, the codes are all gone. I drove 300 miles and I get 26.5 m/gal. All good for now.

[@GIGABACHI]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye on it next time one of my rear bank ignition coils die or valve cover starts leaking. The leaky timing cover will stay like that until the day it dies. Not messing with that demon. No space to work and have to remove a bunch of shit out of the way.

[@robevans5222]

Thanks for posting this excellent video. I have this engine in an '04 Mazda Tribute that so far has needed absolutely nothing other than proper routine maintenance. It only has 99k miles on it, but when the valve cover gaskets need to be replaced (which is inevitable), I will now know to at least check the torque on the camshaft bearing caps, if not replace these bolts with new ones.

[@pelotas56]

I've owned 4 escapes, never seen that issue. All 4 where pushed above 190k. Rust is what killed my escapes. I currently have a mariner, guess now I'ma check this out when I do my valve cover gasket

[@chucknoob7041]

pelotas56 - I own a 2005 and a 2006 Escape (long story on the 2006). I live In Minnesota and those things are RUSTY! I fabbed rear shock mounts for the 2005 and the rear wheel wells are layers of Gorilla duct tape + undercoating. Lol.

[@pelotas56]

@@chucknoob7041 gotta love Midwest, I'm in Wisconsin. my recent beast was a 2004, this was the only escape that the right rear wheel well rusted out. I also fabricated mount😂. 2000-03 had wheel liners which made them alil less prone to that rust. 04 and up some douche must of said away with this as we got a moister absorbing seam sealer.

[@ezralord4901]

Thank you! I am working on my son's 98, changing the oil pan gasket, now I am going to pull the valve covers and check those bolts.

[@petecabrera5342]

This put a damper on my evening

[@vinces8974]

That sucks

[@Camo-Dan]

Thanks for sharing! Im flipping a 2008 ford escape and put 1 new head in. Im going to use thread locker on all of them on both sides just to be safe and re torque them all.

[@kas0016]

How convenient they engineered the valve covers with a dedicated recess for your lifters to wedge into when the cam cap goes..good thing the rocker isnt done..ha ha brilliant

[@JesusSaves86AB]

I find it ironic that Ford takes engineering precautions such as this, yet completely miss the mark intentionally on simple things like bolt grades/torque, etc. All makes are guilty of it. 90% of vehicles are factory lemons.

[@ArcoZakus]

Defect, If they made 'em last forever, how much harder would it be to sell new ones?

[@SilvaDreams]

@@JesusSaves86AB It's completely intentional... Engineered failure to force you to have to take it in to repair the engine or better yet just buy a new vehicle.

[@canlib]

There's no way Ford is going to design valve covers with extra space for cam cap or lifter failure- isn't going to happen; good and proper bolt fastening specs should be correct in the first place.

[@brandonwillis9820]

Big money in the replacement repair dept

[@johnqueen2754]

I like when people with experience tell you how and why things work the way they do. Alot of I formation right there.

[@mattt198654321]

"There's absolutely no issue with it...besides being ejected" 🤣

[@ECXTD]

Does the 2008 have this issue? Every once in a while when I start it in the morning it makes a metal on metal for a second like it has no oil wondering if this could be issue.

[@darkbeer9928]

You aint joking about oil leaks, 2 timing cover repairs from the oil leaking in less than 40,000 miles

[@thelonelywolf88]

Funny, I just did an oil change on my Five Hundred today and noticed I'm losing oil

[@jeremymurphy7320]

I had a '98 Taurus with the 3L 24V and it was a great engine. Never had a problem with it and it really didn't even leak oil. I traded the car with ~190k miles on the clock

[@jeremymurphy7320]

@Donkey CaCa I ran Valvoline white bottle and Motorcraft filters every 5k or so. We put probably 40k mostly highway miles on it every year so it really had an easy life.

[@donmathias1705]

It is because the end only has two bolts taking the load. The other lobes are supported by two sets of caps. it overloads the aluminium at the point of thread contact, not the bolts. It is a classic aluminium fatigue failure.

[@canlib]

Then the back end cap bolt threads would be ground out or stripped and replacing just the bolts wouldn't solve the problem.

[@archeodigger]

Wicked new intro mate! Excellent video again. You have helped me on my 5.4 f150 more than once.

[@amunderdog]

So it appears safety wire early in the motors life may be a wise preventative measure?

[@warrenzevonsangryghost6055]

Safety wire (great idea) + blue Loctite.

[@scout2nut]

not going to happen, nobody uses safety wire or loktite on these parts, we have a Toyota engine plant near us my brother worked at, the entire valve/cam train is assembled and torqued by machine, no human hands at all, so if one is wrong, a bunch are wrong, they have scraped entire shifts of engines because of an assembly machine not running the prelube assembly grease correctly, and its not worth the time to rework after assembly-wild

[@PureCountryof91]

That's still a good little engine.. design is good. Component problems happen. Really good content. And really wish rangers had a version..

[@maxpaul11]

Good tip and awesome information! Thank you for sharing! I have seen so many of these engines with over 300k running perfectly! Now I know to check on these cam bolts!

[@simonjohnhinton1938]

I like my 2.0 litre duratec in my mondeo. 141,000 miles and still drives sweet and smooth. I've had a couple of 2.5 v6 ones and both ended up with headgasket failure.

[@bryanjohnston9879]

Does anyone know how Ford fixed this on the 2008 and above engine?

[@danwilson1020]

HI DOES ANYONE HAVE AN ARP PART NUMBER FOR THESE I HAVE 2006 V6 AND WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE ASAP THANKS HAPPY HOLIDAY TO ALL!! GREAT CONTENT AS ALWAYS!!

[@TheGaginator]

CRAZY! I just bought a 4x4 Escape to use in my next Gambler500 race, I am going to check the cam cap bolts for sure.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Could it also be that the factory torque spec is too low when first assembled?

[@Jordan-zc2cp]

@Sam S converting to in lbs 96-132 in lbs does not sound low

[@005connect9]

I’ve driven my 05 4wd escape from coast to coast 4 times and even did a decent off road trail driving on my adventures and I just had to rebuild my Duratec engine at 160k miles! The interior and exterior need some cleaning but the lil truck just refuses to give up!

[@howtobebasic2122]

the Duratec V6 was produced from 1986 until 2008 a full 22 years!!!

[@theshield1613]

@ 3.0l duratec v6 are very reliable and it's better than the 3.5l

[@Werewolfmage]

96-12. your thinking the 3.0 vulcan what was 86 to 08

[@firecomradio5379]

Best produced vehicle repair videos on You Tube. Thanks Brian. 3 Stooges woo! woo! woo! sound. My work is cut out for me. I just got a great deal on a 2005 Escape 3.0 4x4. Remarkable condition overall for 190,000 miles on the odo. You sure would never know just looking at the vehicle and immaculate interior. I bought it knowing there is a speed vibration on the road and was going to go though the mounts, drive train, PTU oil change etc to get rid of it. Otherwise it feels like all 200 HP is still there and trans shifts great. Slight misfire/ or whatever at idle. Now I know what to look into and see if the caps are why. This video may have just saved me and my new/old 3.0.

[@wolfsteingaming2095]

Does this affect also the engines they used on the Mazdas?

[@MechanicWelder94]

If it's got a Ford 3 liter yes

[@tnhunts2759]

Just partially completed this job on a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and I'm at a point where I'm lost. This is the first gen VVT model, and nobody, not even the ford catalog, have the correct diameter VVT solenoid seal. Ford calls for the larger 42mm diameter seal, when the correct seal is slightly over 40mm. Fel-Pro makes a 40.2 that is also included in their valve cover gasket kit, but it's so loose it can be pushed in without being driven in. I guess that's the one I'll have to use, because Ford can't provide me with a compatible seal and there's very little info available online that covers this. Very interesting.

[@BiggeGuitar]

My beloved Jaguar S-type which also has the duratec block had the same old broken washing machine sound for a moment before dying on the highway. I addition it also blew a hole in the right bank, taking out the starter in the process. I am going to do an autopsy of the engine next week and turn the block into a coffee table as a memento.

[@andyvanherwynen4866]

GREAT info. I have a 2010 Fusion with the 3.0V6 now at 205,000 miles. It does make a bit of startup top end noise that goes away as soon as oil pressure is up. So I assume its a lash adjuster. Other than that it has been great, still averages 27mpg, smooth and quiet. Any issues to be concerned?

[@DVrec22]

did u ever tighten it?? noise go away? any misfire?

[@hdz12ez]

The 3.0 Duratec was certainly a good engine but I was more partial to the 3.0 Vulcan. Slow as all hell but seriously durable. If I'm not mistaken, the 3.0 Duratec is the foundation of the 3.5 Ecoboost.

[@big_R_]

I think they are different base engines, but they just share the same name. One of the biggest differences is that the 3.5 and 3.7s use a timing chain driven water pump whereas the 3.0 uses a self tensioning belt on an external water pump

[@JohnDiMartino]

Ray Klotz Thats only the transverse mount 3.5/3.7. The longitude mount(F150,Transit van ) do not mount the water pump inside the timing cover .

[@1fnjo790]

Always better to get a heads up to save you from a heads off

[@abcdwxyz2157]

I haven't got this problem with the 2.5 and 3.0 on my vehicles (taurus and cougar) but what I have noticed with these engines is they leak like none other.

[@rlowe3]

Really like your channels. I noticed you said this issue was in engines from 2001 thru 2007. Was a change made in 2008 on?

[@daniellima2973]

I have the 2010 3.0 and the valve cover is totally different. 277 thousand miles so far and smooth as silk.

[@jeedwards1981]

@@daniellima2973 wow is it in a escape?

[@stefanpetersons1878]

This engine is used in Jags as well. But modified making more power and VVT. I've never ever seen or even heard of a broken one.

[@AlphanumericCharacters]

There is a TSB on this. I think it was on the Fusion. I always double check the torque on them when I do valve cover gaskets. Haven’t found one loose yet. But I’ll keep checking.

[@petar443]

Priceless information man !

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

Gonna take the cover off on my 1997 Taurus Duratec 3.0L, tomorrow!

[@ld2048]

2005 escape, 215k miles, I am now immediately checking my caps

[@racekar80]

You might not know this, the duratec engine was originally designed by Porsche and they sold the design to Ford and Cosworth.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Yup

[@craigwhitefoot8838]

I am so glad i came accross this video, i think this is starting with my Taurus ( 220,000 miles ) A hole appeared on my valve cover,

[@matthewjenkins1161]

Really glad I've seen this video. I have to change the cam cover gaskets on my Jag that uses a variant of that engine with VVT and I'd never have thought to check cam cap bolts. I certainly will do now. Thanks.

[@jeroengevers]

I have a Jag x-type 3.0. Same engine? Were the bolts tight on yours?

[@matthewjenkins1161]

​@@jeroengevers I've got an XJ6 X350, same engine but other way around driving rear wheels only. The V6 was only available for the X350 in UK and Hong Kong markets. I'll let you know as not found time to crack on yet. Had valve cover gaskets sat here for weeks including upper and lower inlet, plus the o-rings for the plenum valves. Front wheel bearings taken priority which was an awful job, even with a slide hammer.

[@MacGyver-1]

And that's what ford motor company lives for, "it's so expensive, you just replace the motor" or " the motor is so expensive you just replace the car"

[@trevor1753]

That's every manufacturer 🤣

[@timcheek5134]

Wait till you see a 3.6 gm v6!👍

[@nickd920]

@@timcheek5134 But still, isnt FORD supposed to be so much better?

[@ThePSPJesus]

@@nickd920 fords get abused and do this for 100k miles everything else you take care of right and something breaks at regular intervals hmmm

[@GregHuston]

@@trevor1753 I own modern GM & Fords and everything on the Ford takes many times more time to repair and more money.

[@DillonTurner395]

Yep my neighbor has a sable with the dohc 3.0. Had a coolant leak they never fixed. Overheated it over and over and over again. Never blew the headgasket but did exactly this. My old taurus my father drives has 250k on it and runs smooth as can be. Sadly he doesnt maintain vehicles and would do the same my neighbor has done so its only a matter of time before the 3.0 in my old taurus meets the same fate. He overheated the snot out of a 5.2 in a jeep he got from me because he refused to put a radiator in it after hitting something and cracking it. In the process of fixing that now.... No blown hg or cracked head for now but he doesnt believe in long term damage. Youd think after over 60 years hed learn...

[@mdwillington9416]

Have this engine in our 05 Freestyle, just going to drive it right into the ground 👍

[@tomedgar4375]

Us too 190k miles and still runs great

[@mccullough976]

@@tomedgar4375 we have one with 154,000, still going strong!

[@alwayslearningthankyou2708]

225,000 on a 2004 Escape. Only complaint is inaccessible location of PCV without major effort.

[@yyz125]

05 with 110000...it's been a great car...cvt and all

[@gambit3le]

I had the same thing happen to my 04 Mazda 6.

[@777theright88]

How would one go about making a 5.4 3v reliable?

[@brysonshires9742]

Chains, tensionsers, sparkplugs, oil changes

[@michaelgoodson1797]

Sell it to some poor unsupecting bastards n buy a Toyota lol

[@ChrisBrown-pz2gu]

Step One: remove 5.4 Step Two: insert 4.6

[@dethangelishere394]

i hope you read this. i am a mechanic and i personally love the 3.0L Vulcan engine. my son has 2 taurus w/vulcan, myself and my husband have 3 taurus w/vulcan and they all have minimum of 175k and still going strong. the question is, how do you feel about the 3.0L vulcan?

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Basic and reliable but still many common issues with them, more issues than the DOHC engines.

[@dethangelishere394]

@@FordTechMakuloco the most consistent problem i've had is that every one had to have the coil pack replaced. otherwise, just change coil wires and plugs at 110k and then regular oil changes and every 10k fuel filter. that is all. i feel like they are reliable, get decent fuel mileage, and those taurus were top safety picks for their years so cheap on insurance.

[@mr220v]

No point in replacing the head. These motors are $150 on car-part. Very reliable engines paired with unreliable transmissions. Tons of these just sitting around.

[@Fire_soul1796]

That is one of the most intense intros that I have ever experienced...

[@AKJeeper]

It's really too bad they quit putting these engines in the Escapes. I much prefer these over the EcoBoost 4cyls they are using now. You rarely ever see the 3.0 Escapes come into the shop with engine problems, they just keep going and going.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Yup they are awesome just leakers.

[@disenoac8355]

Excellent video... the same thing happened to me it sounded and in the end the pieces of the head came out 1 they bent 8 valves and broke the crankshaft gear very attentive to those sounds of the engine ...

[@marlon94124]

This engine is also used on the 2004 Mazda6 S. The only major problem I had with my car was a P0301 engine trouble code where the rear valve cover gasket was leaking and I had my cousin to replace both gasket banks at 125,000 miles. From watching this video, I wasn't surprised how noisy the engine was. So far, no problems at all. Just normal wear and tear.

[@marlon94124]

@@TrickyDicky2006 I can't wait to convert my car with dual exhaust by taking out the third catalytic converter. I have the 5 speed manual transmission and need to upgrade to the 6 speed.

[@justiphi555]

Can this happen on the newer 3.0L? I have a 2011 Fusion with one.

[@theshield1613]

3.0l is different design engine and 3.0l is better than the 3.5l

[@karthikperavelli1735]

I have ‘11 fusion too…misfiring now and then but mostly smooth running…

[@PhantasmROFL]

I'd love to see a detailed video of how to replace the gaskets on the front timing cover to fix these common oil leaks on the 3.0L. My 2006 Fusion is leaking all over my driveway and driving me crazy!

[@patrickmcclain878]

Did you find anything regarding this? have a 2008 fusion 3.0 AWD that has timing cover leaks, oil pan and valve cover leaks.

[@PhantasmROFL]

@@patrickmcclain878 No, I've just resigned to parking the car in my garage and keeping cardboard under it to catch the drips. Tried various "no leak" oil additives, none of them worked.