2019 Max overheating when towing

[shane_th_ee]

I never got error message limiting power, but temperatures were too high for my comfort. So, I pulled off. The temperatures cooled down in about 10 minutes and I started out again.

Also, wanted to clarify I didn't hold rpm at 3500rpms. I just did not let engine go over 3500rpms. I was not in manual mode I just reduced throttle and speed with grades to keep rpms down to keep heat down.

So if it was operating within the designed and intended temperature range, was it really over heating?

 

[rjdelp7]

Doesn't the owners manual advise against towing, during break in? 1100 miles, to me, is still in 'break in'. I used an infrared laser thermometer , to check my engine, after a long drive in 90 degree traffic. I was positive, it was too hot. The upper radiator hose was actually 175(normal) and intake was 160. Ford has 'failsafe cooling'(read your manual). It will go into limp mode, display a warning and disable the AC. How is the oil level? The oil also cools the motor. If it was a quart low, may caused to high temps.

 

[duneslider]

Just curious but does your fan come on at all? I believe if the AC is on the fan should be on, is that correct on the Expedition? Are these multi-speed fans?

If your fan isn't coming on (or going to highest speed) that would cause this sort of issue.

Does yours display the engine temp? Or just the transmission temp? I found recently that there is a digital display for the transmission but I don't see a digital readout for the oil or coolant.

 

[jak1221]

For those that are interested in increase radiator capacity. The 4th Gen Expeditions and 2015+ F150 share some Heavy Duty Radiator HL3Z-8005-B. So, bigger after market radiator for 2015+ F150 should bolt up to 4th Gen Expeditions. I am still reaching transmission cooler.

 

[jak1221]

If the water temperature is over 225 it displays over the gauge. The transmission temperature does the same thing and is available in the menu. The break in period was 1000 miles per the owners manual.

 

[st381183]

My transmission temps run hotter than I was expecting. I was expecting 180-200 degrees but my 2018 XLT runs at 207-225 degrees, without towing. I spoke with the service department and was advised the 10 speed runs hotter, which makes me wonder how the transmission was installed without the owner being able to check the condition of the fluid. Hopefully a well thought out aftermarket solution other that the thin dipstick tube available now will be invented. On my older vehicles I’m able to change transmission fluid by draining through the cooler line while refilling from the top, without a lift and a pump, I don’t see be8ng able to do that type o service.

 

[duneslider]

If the water temperature is over 225 it displays over the gauge. The transmission temperature does the same thing and is available in the menu. The break in period was 1000 miles per the owners manual.

That must be the nicer dash on the nicer models. My xlt just has analog gauges.

 

[Uturn]

That must be the nicer dash on the nicer models. My xlt just has analog gauges.

Your XLT will do the same thing, you can have it display the trans temperature constantly above the analog gauge. It is in advanced settings. The cluster is also capable of displaying the engine temp constantly above the analog gauge but it must be programmed. Unfortunately the IKE is not programmable using Forscan so it must be done by the dealer.

 

[duneslider]

My transmission temps run hotter than I was expecting. I was expecting 180-200 degrees but my 2018 XLT runs at 207-225 degrees, without towing. I spoke with the service department and was advised the 10 speed runs hotter, which makes me wonder how the transmission was installed without the owner being able to check the condition of the fluid. Hopefully a well thought out aftermarket solution other that the thin dipstick tube available now will be invented. On my older vehicles I’m able to change transmission fluid by draining through the cooler line while refilling from the top, without a lift and a pump, I don’t see be8ng able to do that type o service.

Your XLT will do the same thing, you can have it display the trans temperature constantly above the analog gauge. It is in advanced settings. The cluster is also capable of displaying the engine temp constantly above the analog gauge but it must be programmed. Unfortunately the IKE is not programmable using Forscan so it must be done by the dealer.

There is no digital display for the gauges. It is just a literal analog gauge. I little orange bar that rotates. The only digital display is in the middle between the two large gauges. I can go in a make that screen show the transmission temp but that is it. There are not displays across the top where the analog guages are.

 

[Zig10]

My transmission temps run hotter than I was expecting. I was expecting 180-200 degrees but my 2018 XLT runs at 207-225 degrees, without towing. I spoke with the service department and was advised the 10 speed runs hotter, which makes me wonder how the transmission was installed without the owner being able to check the condition of the fluid. Hopefully a well thought out aftermarket solution other that the thin dipstick tube available now will be invented. On my older vehicles I’m able to change transmission fluid by draining through the cooler line while refilling from the top, without a lift and a pump, I don’t see be8ng able to do that type o service.

Noticed the same thing with my '16 Yukon XL. Right after I bought it I was playing with the digital guages and saw the transmission at 205, and I was driving home from work in November. Called the dealer and was told that the new transmissions and fluids run hotter and thinner for another small bump in efficiency. The new synthetics are designed to handle it with a higher flash point and better shear resistance. Towing, that transmission bottomed out at 200 and maxed at 212, no matter if it was 50 degrees or 98 degrees outside. I haven't played much with my new Expy yet, but on my last trip towing the transmission didn't get above 215 that I saw, and my boat is around 7500 lbs. That is largely flat towing, but from highway to severe stop and go.

 

[Dorzak]

When I bought my 2016 a coworker had just bought a 2017 F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost. He had similar issues with overheating towing. Dealer said the same thing and eventually he got it lemon lawed and bought a Dodge instead. I suspect some may have issues, that others don’t. He never had an issue commuting with it.

 

[ANGEL TORES]

Sorry to hear about your troubles, I have a few questions about your situation. I own a 2015 XLT with the tow package and I am towing a 7,900lbs Camper and I have gone to Florida Twice from NJ and When we purchased to camper we went to Indiana to buy it. Our camper has over 8K miles with our Expedition. Now to my questions, what is the specific payload for your truck? What is the tongue Weight of your trailer? How much weight did you have in your truck while towing including driver, passengers and cargo if any? I am asking because you may be overloading your truck and I am trying to ***** the conditions before I give my opinion.

 

[cmiles97]

OP did the Ford service advisor give you what are considered normal towing transmission & radiator fluid temps? See if you can get that in writing from them. If you exceed them while not going over the recommended weight loading. Take a pic or video for a 2nd check out. 2019 Expedition Towing Specs:

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten.../guides/19Towing_Ford_Expedition_r1_Dec21.pdf

 

[shane_th_ee]

Your XLT will do the same thing, you can have it display the trans temperature constantly above the analog gauge. It is in advanced settings.

Can you add some detail? I tried to find this setting yesterday, but failed.

 

[Bill Schell]

Sounds like the design group was doing a delicate trade-off with cost/weight. These issues, particularly on vehicles designed and advertised for towing, really gets in my craw. There really is no reason overheating should be a problem on these or the F150 trucks when operated within the defined limits - and even those should have a little safety margin.

 

[Uturn]

Can you add some detail? I tried to find this setting yesterday, but failed.

It turns out I was thinking about Miles To Empty above the fuel gauge. I know that the F150 has the capability to display the temperatures above the gauge and that it might be possible on the Expeditions. The problem is that it has to be programed and the issue has been that Forscan is not capable of programming the IPC. One day I hope to get into Austin and have a friend who can program the IPC. When I do, it is one of the parameters I would like to try. This is the coding for the F150's
Engine temp & Transmission temp shows above gauges (8" Clusters only) IPC 720-07-01 xxxx xE5x xxxx ** use this if you have trailer brake controller and turbos **
IPC 720-07-01 xxxx x65x xxxx ** use this if you don't have trailer brake controller but have turbos **
IPC 720-07-01 xxxx xA5x xxxx ** use this if you have TBC but don't have turbos **
IPC 720-07-01 xxxx x25x xxxx ** use this if you don't have TBC or turbos **

 

[duneslider]

On the F150 once the temp hits a certain threshold the temp will display above the gauge. On the coolant I believe that temp is 230 deg. This is only on the dash that is full digital. The dashes that have physical analog gauges will not show a digital read out above the gauges.

 

[spotdog14]

I learned with my 2015 F150 with tht 3.5 is that you need to lock out transmission gears to keep the turbos out of boost. Keeping them spooled up drives coolant Temps through the roof when towing.

 

[duneslider]

I learned with my 2015 F150 with tht 3.5 is that you need to lock out transmission gears to keep the turbos out of boost. Keeping them spooled up drives coolant Temps through the roof when towing.

Please explain, I am not sure how the transmission has anything to do with whether you are building boost or not? The spools are turning if the engine is running?

 

[JasonH]

Please explain, I am not sure how the transmission has anything to do with whether you are building boost or not? The spools are turning if the engine is running?

Boost increases with engine load. Using a numerically lower gear reduces load on the engine, so the turbochargers will not spin as hard. Basically, it is using the gearing to reduce load on the engine, which means less air is needed from the turbochargers.

I haven't had any issues with sustained boost on my 17 Expedition EL while towing my 7K travel trailer. I usually go up moderate grades in 5th. Having said that, most of my towing has been in the gulf region, so the grades are not long ones. I did read someplace that there is potential for cooling issues at high altitudes, due to the thinner air. But I have not experience this myself because I have not towed at altitude.