The Top 3 Ford 3.5 V6 Cyclone Engine Issues. The Ford 3.5L V6 engine first appeared in the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, and Lincoln MKZ in 2007. It was then used in many other Ford models in the years that followed. The Ford 3.5 V6 engine is also known as the Duratec 35, the 3.5 TiVCT, and the 3.5 Cyclone. The engine produces 265-290 hp and 248-255 lb-ft of torque. That kind of authority is unlikely to amaze anyone, especially in this day and age. The 3.5 Duratec engine, on the other hand, provides an excellent blend of fuel economy and dependability. Of course, no engine is flawless, and this is no exception. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most typical Ford 3.5 V6 difficulties, as well as general reliability.
What Vehicles Make Use of the Duratec 35?
The following Ford, Lincoln, and Mazda cars use the 3.5L V6 Cyclone engine:
- 2007–2018 Ford Edge
- MKX 2007-2010 Lincoln
- MKZ (Lincoln MKZ) 2007-2012
- Mazda CX-9 model years 2007-2016
- Ford Taurus from 2008 until 2019.
- Ford Fusion Sport 2010-2012
- From 2009 through 2013, Ford Flex
- 2015-2017 Ford F-150
- From 2011 through 2019, Ford Explorer
Three Common Ford 3.5 V6 Engine Issues
The following are some of the most typical engine problems with the Ford 3.5 Cyclone/Duratec engine:
- The water pump
- Distillation of oil
- Cam torque controlled phasers
We’ll go over each of the above topics in further detail over the rest of this post. However, before we proceed, there are a few quick notes. The Duratec 35 engine is a strong and dependable engine. The faults and failures we mention are just a few of the most typical problems. This does not necessarily imply that they affect the vast majority of Ford 3.5L V6 engines. Rather, when issues do arise, these are some of the most typical areas.
However, all engines are susceptible to a wide range of issues. This is especially true as the mileage and age increase. Some of the early 3.5 Cyclone engines are almost a decade old, so it’s simply something to think about. Anyway, let’s look at the aforementioned concerns with the Ford 3.5 V6.
1) Failure of the 3.5L V6 Cyclone Water Pump
Failures of water pumps are one of the most common cooling system issues on many engines. It is a moving component that circulates coolant through the 3.5 V6 Ti-VCT engine. Without coolant flow, an engine can quickly overheat. As a result, water pump problems are usually an emergency repair. The water pump on the Ford 3.5 V6 has a severe design issue.
Because of the transverse arrangement, the timing chain drives 3.5 Cyclone water pumps positioned behind the timing cover. Not only does this increase the likelihood of the 3.5 V6 water pump leaking, but it also makes the repair more difficult. Fortunately, leaking water pumps are less critical than water pump failure.
It is nevertheless critical that the water pump be repaired as soon as feasible. However, as long as the Ford 3.5 Duratec continues to receive coolant flow, there should be no significant risk of severe overheating. Of course, the pump could also fail internally, affecting coolant flow. Water pump issues on the 3.5 TiVCT engine often appear between 80,000 and 120,000 miles.
Symptoms of a Duratec 35 Water Pump
Symptoms of a faulty water pump on the 3.5L Cyclone engine include:
- Coolant leak that can be seen
- Insufficient coolant
- Coolant and oil mixture
- Overheating
A visible coolant leak might be caused by a variety of issues, but it usually boils down to the water pump. Of course, a coolant leak could result in a low coolant light. In extreme situations, the Duratec 35 engine coolant may contaminate the oil. This will be addressed in the next concern with oil dilution. Furthermore, water pump failure might cause check engine lights and overheating.
Replacement Water Pump for Ford 3.5 V6
Water pump replacement can be an expensive repair on any engine. However, the position of the Ford Duratec 35 water pump makes it more difficult to reach and fix. DIYing isn’t difficult, but it does require some expertise and patience. Otherwise, leave 3.5 V6 water pump repairs to the professionals. The job will most likely cost between $800 and $1200 at a repair shop, depending on the year and model.
2) Ford 3.5 Engine Oil Dilution Issues
This portion will be a little shorter. The breakdown of the above water pump causes the oil dilution issues in the Ford 3.5 V6 Cyclone. Because of the placement of the water pump, a serious failure may cause coolant to mix with engine oil. It is far less prevalent because water pumps usually fail and leak via the weep hole. However, there have been enough occurrences of oil and coolant mixing to warrant discussion.
Obviously, combining coolant and engine oil is not a favorable situation. It has an effect on the oil’s ability to lubricate the internal elements of the 3.5L Duratec engine. If this remains unchecked for an extended period of time, it might lead to catastrophic engine difficulties. It is, once again, far less prevalent than most water pump leaks. However, it is an important topic to be aware of. We believe a few lawsuits are circulating as a result of the 3.5 Cyclone water pump issues that cause oil dilution. The video below is a useful resource.
Dilution of 3.5L TiVCT Oil
Some signs that coolant is combining with oil are as follows:
- Engine rattling/clunking
- Oil of milk
- Overheating
The internal bearings on the Ford 3.5 V6 water pump are the source of the problem. As the bearing wears down, you may notice clunking and rattling sounds coming from the water pump region. A milky oil is a dead giveaway that something isn’t running. Because to the mixing of the oil and coolant, the 3.5 TiVCT may also run hotter.
Issues with 3.5 TiVCT Cam Torque Phasers
In this article, we’ve referred to the Ford 3.5 V6 as the TiVCT a few times. It’s critical to distinguish here. iVCT was used in early model engines. However, beginning in 2012, all 3.5 Cyclone engines were equipped with TiVCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing). These later model TiVCT engines are affected by Ford 3.5L V6 cam torque actuated phaser issues. TiVCT works by adjusting the intake and exhaust valve timing to improve power and fuel economy. It’s cutting-edge technology present in the majority of current engines.
The 3.5 V6 valve timing system, on the other hand, has a few flaws. Cam torque actuated phasers are one of the potential issues. These cam phasers are responsible for turning each camshaft in relation to engine timing. There are several signs that occur when the 3.5 Duratec cam torque phasers fail. Other failures may arise if this is not resolved quickly.
Symptoms of Ford 3.5 Duratec Cam Phasers
Look for the following signs of a problem with the 3.5 Cyclone cam torque actuated phasers:
- CEL
- Sounds of an engine rattling
- Power outage
- Rugged running
Cam phaser failure usually manifests as a check engine light and a rattling sound from the Ford 3.5 engine. In severe circumstances, it can also cause ignition timing to be thrown off. This will result in power loss and jerky operation.
Replacement 3.5 V6 Cyclone Cam Phasers
If your 3.5 V6 has a high mileage, consider replacing the TiVCT solenoids. This is another place where problems may arise as the engine matures. Moving on to the issue at hand. Within the cylinder head are cam torque actuated phasers. It takes some effort to get into that location, so repair costs can build quickly. Depending on the year and type of the Ford 3.5L engine, cam phaser troubles might cost between $700 and $1200.
Related : The 4 Most Common Ford 3.5 EcoBoost Engine Issues
Reliability of the Ford 3.5 Ti-VCT V6
Is the Ford 3.5 V6 Cyclone engine trustworthy? Yes, we believe the Ford Duratec 35 is more reliable than average. Water pump and cam torque actuated phaser issues can be aggravating. However, the internet has a tendency to exaggerate things. The issues are probably not as widespread as some may lead you to assume. Aside from that, the 3.5L V6 is free of common defects and design flaws. There are numerous engines out there with far more and far worse common faults. As a result, the Ford 3.5 TiVCT receives high grades for dependability.
Problems can and do occur, but this is true of any car engine. Of course, maintenance is essential for every engine, and the 3.5 V6 Cyclone engine is no exception. Change the fluids on time and address any problems that arise. It’s simple things that goes a long way toward assuring a solid, dependable experience with the Ford 3.5 V6 engine.
With good maintenance, the 3.5 Cyclone may easily exceed 200,000 miles without experiencing many, if any, major engine problems. Not too shabby in terms of longevity. It’s a terrific engine all around, with an excellent mix of dependability, longevity, and fuel economy.
Summary of Ford 3.5L Cyclone Common Issues
The 3.5L Duratec engine was introduced in a few models in 2007, before making its way into flagship cars such as the Ford Explorer and F-150. When compared to the EcoBoost or 5.0 Coyote choices, it’s not the most powerful. However, for those who do not require the extra power, the 3.5 V6 offers numerous advantages. The Duratec 35 engine has been around for a while and is a very reliable and economical engine. However, no engine is flawless.
The water pump and cam phasers are two common Ford 3.5 V6 difficulties. Water pump failures might also result in high repair costs if coolant contaminates the oil. It’s not a common problem that would deter us from purchasing the 3.5 Duratec. Otherwise, there are no severe problems in the engine.
Ford 3.5L V6 TiVCT engines are an excellent choice for folks who don’t require a lot of power but merely want a dependable, efficient engine. They’ve been known to last for more than 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. If you keep up with maintenance, you should have a good time with the 3.5 Cyclone.
