Review on Dorman 902 087 Auxiliary Water Pump by Brian Foster

Apparently these MECS pump failures not only affected the 2005-2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, which was subject to a massive recall as a result, but also the 2009-12, albeit to a lesser extent. My 2010 was throwing multiple codes related to inverter/motor overheating, causing the dreaded 'Stop Safe Now' message, which allowed me to stop just seconds before the engine cut out. Unlike previous pump models that failed ('05-'08), my pump still made noise (oscillating noise) when it turned on, indicating coolant movement, but that was definitely not the case. I'm assuming the impeller was shot through. I ordered a Dorman pump and got the job done in about an hour. I find it extremely difficult (bad shoulders/neck) to do this on the ground as there isn't much room to work. If I had a set of ramps or stands this would be done in about 30 minutes. There is a good video on YouTube showing how to replace a MECS pump on older FEHs, but the procedure is the same. After filling the expansion/overflow tank and bleeding the lines a little, I switched on the pump. The sound of the liquid being pumped was music to my ears. You can also see coolant flowing through the expansion tank. I did a few test rides with it over some mountain passes so I could really push it. No codes, no SSN disconnects. I read that traders get around $800 for this job. Ridiculous considering the Ford part costs around $180 and the lift can't take more than half an hour. Time will tell how long this pump lasts. The first failed at 63,000 miles. I'll probably treat it as part of my maintenance schedule and replace it every 60,000 miles. I don't want to relive that mishap of driving up a single lane mountain highway with cars behind and almost no hard shoulder to exit. Not to mention driving another 30 miles on the freeway at 25 mph in "soft" mode to get home. No thank you.