08 Ford Taurus alternator died

[uncledj]

Hadn't used the Taurus for about a month now, so, while I was outside I thought I should fire it up and let 'er run for a bit while attending to some other things.

She fired right up, but started squealing, with some smoke starting coming from the engine compartment, so I shut her down and took a look, finding that the alternator had locked up. 157k on this car, and that's the first issue we've had.

OK, no biggie....until I see that on this model, 3.5 DOHC motor it's a major pain to change. Lists as a 6 hr job for an equipped shop. Gotta pull the tie rod and cv shaft to change. ARRGGGHHH.

I'll do both belts while I'm at it, but this will end up being a cold job. (outside)

I love that car for it's performance, comfort and (up to now) reliability, but it makes me long for the good old days when this stuff was a lot easier to do.

 

[Larry1963]

Hadn't used the Taurus for about a month now, so, while I was outside I thought I should fire it up and let 'er run for a bit while attending to some other things.

She fired right up, but started squealing, with some smoke starting coming from the engine compartment, so I shut her down and took a look, finding that the alternator had locked up. 157k on this car, and that's the first issue we've had.

OK, no biggie....until I see that on this model, 3.5 DOHC motor it's a major pain to change. Lists as a 6 hr job for an equipped shop. Gotta pull the tie rod and cv shaft to change. ARRGGGHHH.

I'll do both belts while I'm at it, but this will end up being a cold job. (outside)

I love that car for it's performance, comfort and (up to now) reliability, but it makes me long for the good old days when this stuff was a lot easier to do.

 

I have an 07 Taurus I had about the same thing happen. I took it to a mechanic.

You said in the old days easier to work on, so true, but in the old days you probably would not of gotten 157K miles with not much trouble.

 

Taurus is one of the best cars Ford makes

[uncledj]

How true. It seems like back in the 70s they were junk at 100k....if they made it that far.

[Flyinfool]

There was a good reason that speedos did not go up over 100k back then.

 

I hate when service parts had no thought by the designers for serviceability.

[MiCarl]

Don't forget to replace the belt tensioner while you're at it. Otherwise, it'll fail next week.

[videoarizona]

My daughter's 03 Taurus has been a pain in butt for past five years. Less than 65,000 miles and lots has gone wrong. Latest, fuel pump in tank... Top cracks and fuel vapors escape stinking up car. Makes one think the thing is going to blow up. Took it to two different dealers and they couldn't find anything wrong. Finally took it back to original dealer and told service manager if car blows up and kills my kid... I was going to own them.

They found the top plastic cap of fuel pump that sits in gas tank was cracked. Replaced pump assembly for $900 bux. Two weeks later... Car died. Dealer picked up car with tow truck and took daughter to work. Pump had died... The new one.

Three other issues.. Each costing just under a grand to repair before that.

Now... One valve cover leaks oil... Going to cost almost another grand as so much stuff has to come off to get to gasket.

 

I'm not too keen on that car... Needless to say.

Glad to hear others don't have issues....