2017 Expedition EL Overheating while towing

[skamerick]

My 2017 EL with the HD towing package is overheating while towing uphill. I slow down (less than 60 mph), and turn off the A/C to keep it from hitting the max heat level. I've flushed the cooling system and changed the thermostat. Does anyone else have an issued with engine temp going up while climbing?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

My 2017 EL with the HD towing package is overheating while towing uphill. I slow down (less than 60 mph), and turn off the A/C to keep it from hitting the max heat level. I've flushed the cooling system and changed the thermostat. Does anyone else have an issued with engine temp going up while climbing?

While towing, are you using the tow-haul mode?

 

[skamerick]

I had been, but stopped using it while climbing

 

[JasonH]

Which gear are you using? The Expedition likes to drive the turbos harder instead of downshifting. Downshifting reduces the load on the engine.

 

[skamerick]

I've read that and tried it. I was able to manipulate the temp enough to make it through the climb. At 45mph 4th gear seems to do the trick

 

[Boostedbus]

How much weight? How long

 

[skamerick]

Our trailer is 7,000lbs, 33 feet long.

 

[ynpmoose]

7000 empty or full? I pulled a 5800empty/7000 full 32' travel trailer from PA to CO, UT, MT, and back all across the rockies without issues in my 2016. Maybe dropped to 55 on the very steepest grades just to not hammer the truck.

 

[skamerick]

7000 full, 6300 dry. We had no issues on our first 3 trips. We were 500 miles into our last trip when the a/c belt failed and took out the serpentine belt with it. As you might imagine, every warning light went nuts, it seriously overheated and just shut down. I had no idea on earth what happened, I thought I might have blown the engine. Had it towed to nearest Ford dealership and back on the road the next day.

When we got home, out of an abundance of caution, I had the cooling system flushed and the thermostat replaced. Now, when I drive (without towing anything) up the slightest incline the temp starts to climb. The oil temp and trans temp are fine. I've had it looked at by 3 different shops and no one has an answer.

I'm wandering if my towing days with this vehicle are over.

 

[JasonH]

7000 full, 6300 dry. We had no issues on our first 3 trips. We were 500 miles into our last trip when the a/c belt failed and took out the serpentine belt with it. As you might imagine, every warning light went nuts, it seriously overheated and just shut down. I had no idea on earth what happened, I thought I might have blown the engine. Had it towed to nearest Ford dealership and back on the road the next day.

When we got home, out of an abundance of caution, I had the cooling system flushed and the thermostat replaced. Now, when I drive (without towing anything) up the slightest incline the temp starts to climb. The oil temp and trans temp are fine. I've had it looked at by 3 different shops and no one has an answer.

I'm wandering if my towing days with this vehicle are over.

Try installing Torque app and Elm327 OBD. You can use it to monitor boost and temps. If you see the boost increasing substantially and temps go over 225, try a lower gear. On mine the temps rise, then the thermostat opens and the temp drops almost immediately. But it doesn't rise as much if I go down to 3rd or 4th. My camper is 7k loaded.

 

[ynpmoose]

If temps are over 225 without a trailer, something is definitely wrong. Air in the system, thermostat stuck closed, etc.

 

[skamerick]

I've ordered a monitor form Ultra-Gauge, At least I can see in real numbers what's going on.

 

[turtle019]

I agree with moose, something is wrong. Are the radiator fans working?

 

[skamerick]

Everything is working, checked and rechecked connections and sensors.

 

[JasonH]

Are the temps elevated when not towing? If so it might be air in the system.

 

[skamerick]

Yes it does, had that checked. Very perplexing

 

[Timo2824]

Water pump fin failure probably.

 

[skamerick]

That would be my next guess. Just don't like the thought of the replacement cost.

 

[OGBobbyJohnson]

Make sure your coolant is 50/50 and not heavier on the antifreeze. Look at a mishimoto radiator. Holds about twice the coolant the oem does. What temp thermostat you have?

 

[tacoduck]

That would be my next guess. Just don't like the thought of the replacement cost.

Came here to say this. How many miles on the truck? I’ve read that water pumps should be changed on the 3.5 at 100k miles.