Can't get a problem free Time Machine backup

I cannot get a clean first time backup to an external hard drive using Time Machine.
I have a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 Macbook Pro and a 2TB Western Digital external HD. The drive is partitioned to .5/1.5 sizes. The backup is 1.5TB. It is formatted as (extended) journaled. I have erased the partition several times and repeatedly tried to get a clean backup to no avail.
I have used Disk Utility to check my internal hard drive for any problems and it is OK before starting a backup
When Time Machine completes the first backup, I use Disk Utility to check for problems.
The error messages I get are:
Keys out of order
Invalid key length
The volume BackupDrive could not be verified completely
Volume repair complete
Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required
Error: Disk utility can’t repair this disk. Backup as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk, and restore your backed-up files
Another error message:
Mac OS X can’t repair the disk “BackupDrive.”
You can still open or copy files on the disk, but you can’t save changes to files on the disk. Back up the disk and reformat it as soon as you can.
I have removed the com.apple.timeMachine.plist from the preferences an restarted. Still the same results.
Any suggestions?
I think Disk Utility is a toy, compared to DiskWarrior. To date, Apple hasn't released the information required to create a new DiskWarrior that will work with the new macBook Pros.

Update
Changed the cable.
Changed the port
Erased BackupDrive partition
Ran First-Aid. Came back with no errors. "Volume BackupDrive appears to be OK.
Used Time Machine to backup MacBook Pro Internal HD
Ran First-Aid. Came back with no errors. "Volume BackupDrive appears to be OK.
Ran First-Aid a second time
Incorrect number of extended attributes
Incorrect number of Access Control Lists
Invalid leaf record count
Invalid volume file count
Invalid volume directory count
Invalid volume free block count
The volume BackupDrive could not be repaired after 3 attempts
Error. Disk Utility can't repair this disk. Backup, reformat and restore your backed up files.
This is driving me nuts. I have been an Apple guy ever since I got a IIE. I have never experienced anything like this. I have trouble believing I purchased two Western Digital external drives that have failed. Since my MBP continually comes back clean, I can only think that the problem is with Disk Repair Utility.
Your advice on next steps?

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