-25c and the Expy's not feeling great

[gigantapithic]

Takes forever to warm up (if ever), heater never feels very warm, due for an oil change and thinking about going synthetic as I'm parking outside this winter. Probably isn't the issue, but I'll start there.

Brands and weight suggestions?

Also might as well ask what I should use in the summer when I start pulling a 7,000 lbs travel trailer.

Thanks!

 

[FordandPolaris]

Could have a stuck thermostat keeping the truck from warming up. Not really sure what year your truck is, but I run 5w-30 in the winter. Just stick with what is recommended for the vehicle. Royal purple is about as good as it gets. That stuff is priced like liquid gold, so I run Mobil conventional instead.

 

[toms89]

Maybe a stuck thermostat as FordandPolaris said or fan clutch is not releasing as it should but that is quite cold!!

Since you live in Calgary and the temps are likely consistently cold you could try to remove grill and cover half the radiator with cardboard during the winter so it gets up to operating temps quicker.


Definitely run as light a weight oil as recommended in your owners manual for cold weather climates.

 

[sgtowing]

I run what Ford says but I'm down here in wonderful (not) Fl. It doesn't get cold here

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[gigantapithic]

Thanks,

It's an 05 Eddie Bauer. I'd be surprised if a thermostat was stuck, given the extensive amount of work done a few short months after buying the vehicle.

New short block, new plugs, new fuel injectors, new 02 sensor, new starter motor, 2 new cat converters and pipe, I just replaced the air filter (is there two by the way, one in the giant cylindrical cone part?).... And new brakes and tires, but those wouldn't change the temperature

So no one suggests a synthetic. Intersting.

 

[tonydiv]

Does the truck run at a normal temperature when it is warm outside?

 

[gigantapithic]

Does the truck run at a normal temperature when it is warm outside?

I think so, it's been running a little inefficient of late (worse fuel mileage, I think), but that's about it.

 

[wadesdad]

Switch out the thermostat. Your symptoms and mileage loss suggests it. It should take almost no time at all to do it. If the engine is cold and doesn't come up to operating temperature normally, it is going to run rich- like a choke on old school engines.

 

[01yellerCobra]

I run Motor craft semi-synthetic. But your issue isn't the oil. Did you do the short block swap or did a mechanic? If a mechanic did it and there's no thermostat on your receipt then I can pretty much guarantee they didn't replace it. And if they did there's a chance it's just a bad piece.

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[gigantapithic]

Switch out the thermostat. Your symptoms and mileage loss suggests it. It should take almost no time at all to do it. If the engine is cold and doesn't come up to operating temperature normally, it is going to run rich- like a choke on old school engines.

Brilliant! The exhaust has been seeming a little strong smelling of late and I did wonder if something was up. Odd that the thermo could do all that (if it's the case).

I run Motor craft semi-synthetic. But your issue isn't the oil. Did you do the short block swap or did a mechanic? If a mechanic did it and there's no thermostat on your receipt then I can pretty much guarantee they didn't replace it. And if they did there's a chance it's just a bad piece.

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Changed the oil on the weekend, but it's back around -5 to +5 so even if it was the issue (which we know it isn't), I wouldn't have seen any improvement.
Short block was done by the Ford Dealer. Pretty sure they didn't swap out the Thermostat (I'll check). I'll look into tonight - thanks for the replies.

Going to try synthetic on my next oil change. Had a few liters of regular oil left to use up. Should be March by then and I'll be looking at doing some towing come May, so maybe having the synthetic for the hard work will be a good idea.

edit: checked invoice, thermostat wasn't replaced.

Thanks!

 

[Lightnig]

Maybe a stuck thermostat as FordandPolaris said or fan clutch is not releasing as it should but that is quite cold!!

Those would be tops on my hit list too, good advice F&P and tom.

gigantapithic, I know your truck should be able to handle this crappy weather we are seeing this week (Since I live in the same town you do), as my 97 seems perfectly happy engine temperature-wise in this stuff.

Start with the basics; thermostat, fan, and if those don't help perhaps a cooling system flush.

Since you live in Calgary and the temps are likely consistently cold you could try to remove grill and cover half the radiator with cardboard during the winter so it gets up to operating temps quicker.

< snip for brevity >

Actually, temperatures here vary a great deal. Last week it was 10c (~ 50f) and then a couple days later it was/is -24c ( ~ -10f). It will probably sit in the -20-ish range for a week or two, then we will hit a Chinook that will raise the temperature to +10c (or better).

Chinooks are a beautiful thing in the winter. A guy can get up in the morning and it is -3o on the way to work, the Chinook will literally blow in with 50-60 + MPH winds and by Lunchtime it is +15c

Even without the Chinooks, we get wide variations in temperatures throughout the winter. Southern Alberta has very unstable weather patterns.

 

[gigantapithic]

Those would be tops on my hit list too, good advice F&P and tom.

gigantapithic, I know your truck should be able to handle this crappy weather we are seeing this week (Since I live in the same town you do), as my 97 seems perfectly happy engine temperature-wise in this stuff.

Start with the basics; thermostat, fan, and if those don't help perhaps a cooling system flush.




Actually, temperatures here vary a great deal. Last week it was 10c (~ 50f) and then a couple days later it was/is -24c ( ~ -10f). It will probably sit in the -20-ish range for a week or two, then we will hit a Chinook that will raise the temperature to +10c (or better).

Chinooks are a beautiful thing in the winter. A guy can get up in the morning and it is -3o on the way to work, the Chinook will literally blow in with 50-60 + MPH winds and by Lunchtime it is +15c

Even without the Chinooks, we get wide variations in temperatures throughout the winter. Southern Alberta has very unstable weather patterns.

Thanks for the post. Weather in Calgary is usually great. This year though has been a tough one.

Thermostat didn't seem to help much. This most recent cold spell was tough on it too, actually after I got the thermo changed back in December the fuel pump module went and I got towed home on a Friday night. Lost the car for a weekend.

This past weekend CEL and sputtering/weak performance. Cylinder misfire and replaced a coil and plug (that got cooked). Trying to get that warrantied after all the work we had done.

Had enough and ditched it for $10,000.

Shopping for something newer, looking at 2012 limited's (not el). Any advice?
Also considering Chev/GM's. Full size, staying under $30k but above $24k. Would like to be at $26.

Feeling a bit burned by ford - but really like the expy. Wondering if I'm setting myself up for

 

[FordandPolaris]

Thanks for the post. Weather in Calgary is usually great. This year though has been a tough one.

Thermostat didn't seem to help much. This most recent cold spell was tough on it too, actually after I got the thermo changed back in December the fuel pump module went and I got towed home on a Friday night. Lost the car for a weekend.

This past weekend CEL and sputtering/weak performance. Cylinder misfire and replaced a coil and plug (that got cooked). Trying to get that warrantied after all the work we had done.

Had enough and ditched it for $10,000.

Shopping for something newer, looking at 2012 limited's (not el). Any advice?
Also considering Chev/GM's. Full size, staying under $30k but above $24k. Would like to be at $26.

Feeling a bit burned by ford - but really like the expy. Wondering if I'm setting myself up for

I don't think so. I can't speak from personal experience, but it just seems like 05-06 were tough model years for Expy's, just due to the cam phaser issue, and other general things that are common issues with 2nd gens. Wheel hubs have been a pain for those I know with 2nd gens for example. I have not met anyone with a third gen so I can't say whether they are better or worse, but it seems like most people that post here are satisfied with them.

If it were me though, I would scoop up a first gen in a heartbeat. Dirt cheap, and like Lightnig said, his truck is just plugging away happy as can be in the cold weather. At 226k my truck is exactly the same in the cold MN weather we have had. Never done the t-stat, hell I haven't ever even changed the coolant. The thing just keeps on driving no matter how hard I beat on it... I don't know, maybe its just the color vehicle haha (we have the same color trucks).

 

[gigantapithic]

I don't think so. I can't speak from personal experience, but it just seems like 05-06 were tough model years for Expy's, just due to the cam phaser issue, and other general things that are common issues with 2nd gens. Wheel hubs have been a pain for those I know with 2nd gens for example. I have not met anyone with a third gen so I can't say whether they are better or worse, but it seems like most people that post here are satisfied with them.

If it were me though, I would scoop up a first gen in a heartbeat. Dirt cheap, and like Lightnig said, his truck is just plugging away happy as can be in the cold weather. At 226k my truck is exactly the same in the cold MN weather we have had. Never done the t-stat, hell I haven't ever even changed the coolant. The thing just keeps on driving no matter how hard I beat on it... I don't know, maybe its just the color vehicle haha (we have the same color trucks).

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, but I got spoiled by the comfort and tech of the 05. Don't want to trek back to the 90's when I just moved out of the 90's by getting into the 05 expy .

Also new kid on the way and want to tow through the rockies. The more reliable the better I feel. Generally with something old I wonder if it's being sold because it's time is almost up.

 

[FordandPolaris]

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, but I got spoiled by the comfort and tech of the 05. Don't want to trek back to the 90's when I just moved out of the 90's by getting into the 05 expy .

Also new kid on the way and want to tow through the rockies. The more reliable the better I feel. Generally with something old I wonder if it's being sold because it's time is almost up.

Completely understand. I have no kids and am into the expy's more for the truck capabilities that the older ones have over the new ones, but totally get where you are coming from.

 

[wadesdad]

Recently sold my '07 Expedition (former police vehicle). No problems, just wanted something smaller to commute. Bought a Ford Escape (a disposable little warrior). My wife has a 2010 Navigator. It is FANTASTIC! We love it. It has had a few issues that would be disapointing if I had to pay to have it repaired. Blower motor ROCKAUTO $80. New ground wire for auto climate control $0.00- had wire in the garage. New window regulator ROCKAUTO $72. NO other issues. Previously I had an 06 NAvigator. Did some maintenance plus the LONG spark plug change, a converter, and fuel pump control module. HOWEVER, we both love the ride, comfort and features. If i had paid full sticker new it would be upsetting. They depreciate MORE than an Expedition, so they are a great value. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions/concerns.