2018 Explorer 3.5 N/A ....Not looking to get into the whole poor design conversation been there done that...been turning wrenches since I was 7 am now 60 even worked for Ford from early 80's to early 2000's...I replaced the water pump and now I have a rattle noise towards front of engine...used my stethoscope to try and pinpoint and definitely louder on the back head right at front of engine....just hoping someone else has ran into this problem cause I don't really wanna tear this thing back down just to diagnose it...no didn't replace chains or tensioner as all looked really really good...hopefully somebody already experienced this...Thanks

 

Wish I could help. but you seem pretty knowledgeable. My first thoughts would be an idler pulley or something? But to the water pump... I'm new to this 2018 explorer that we just got and I just am learning about the water pump issues. So how hard is it to change one of them? Like you I'm almost 60 and while never have been a formal mechanic I've been fixing my own cars/trucks/motocycles everything since I was 16. I just did a driver side motor mount on the 2010 Silverado that we got rid of to get the Explorer. Thanks for any help. Oh, I did the water pump on my daughters 2008 Jeep Cherokee. Easiest water pump EVER! Not kidding. Easier that doing one on a dirtbike. 15-20 minute job after the coolant is drained.