doublethrow
Member
Bought a used 2013 Expedition (XLT 2WD 5.4L). Noticed a small coolant leak underneath coming from middle of the vehicle.
Garage thought it was the freeze plug which didn't make sense because the car never left the south US. They said it's fine to drive as long as you keep coolant in it.
Drove it for one day on the interstate filling up the overflow tank regularly. After about 200 miles, it overheated (AC shutoff, temperature gauge on H) and I had it towed back to the garage for fear of burning up the engine.
Their analysis found that it was a failed Coolant Outlet Crossover Manifold. They changed that, intake manifold gasket and Thermostat. $2k before tax. They ran pressure overnight to ensure no leaks. They also drove it to test it and the temp gauge showed no major fluctuations.
I picked it up from the garage and drove it on the highway to test it. When approaching 60mph the temperature gauge starts running hot and I notice that the cooling fan is running hard to compensate. At one point it overheated and the AC shutoff. Each time it got hot, within seconds it showed a normal engine temp on the gauge. Then if I accelerated to 60mph it would run hot again and after letting off the gas it immediately returned to normal operating range on the temp gauge.
I tried to burp the radiator by revving the engine in neutral for 30 seconds, twice. I ensured there was plenty of coolant in the reservoir.
Another symptom: there is a large amount of coolant now coming from the radiator most likely the radiator's overflow hose (not to be confused with the overflow tank reservoir).
Dropped it back off at the garage tonight.
Garage thought it was the freeze plug which didn't make sense because the car never left the south US. They said it's fine to drive as long as you keep coolant in it.
Drove it for one day on the interstate filling up the overflow tank regularly. After about 200 miles, it overheated (AC shutoff, temperature gauge on H) and I had it towed back to the garage for fear of burning up the engine.
Their analysis found that it was a failed Coolant Outlet Crossover Manifold. They changed that, intake manifold gasket and Thermostat. $2k before tax. They ran pressure overnight to ensure no leaks. They also drove it to test it and the temp gauge showed no major fluctuations.
I picked it up from the garage and drove it on the highway to test it. When approaching 60mph the temperature gauge starts running hot and I notice that the cooling fan is running hard to compensate. At one point it overheated and the AC shutoff. Each time it got hot, within seconds it showed a normal engine temp on the gauge. Then if I accelerated to 60mph it would run hot again and after letting off the gas it immediately returned to normal operating range on the temp gauge.
I tried to burp the radiator by revving the engine in neutral for 30 seconds, twice. I ensured there was plenty of coolant in the reservoir.
Another symptom: there is a large amount of coolant now coming from the radiator most likely the radiator's overflow hose (not to be confused with the overflow tank reservoir).
Dropped it back off at the garage tonight.