2006 explorer radiator

[matsavol]

Joining the club of leaking radiator. I have 06 with V8 engine. Only 34K miles. Leaks are very small at this time. They are located on the bottom of the radiator in the places that pictures show in early pages of this thread. (Yes, both sides are leaking.)

I ordered some of the leak stop pellets, but not sure if I should try them... Anyone here used the Leak Stop product and fixed it for good?

[Threnners]

It's not my radiator. The thermostat housing is cracked & has to be replaced.

For once, my radiator is good.

[rstang50]

My 2007 Explorer V8 is a leaker at 80,000. The leak is on the driver's side edge and leaks down to the lower support. Advance Auto has a lifetime radiator for $240 - $50 for code "visa" and free shipping.

[jay_there84]

i found some on ebay for 100 bucks and they have good feedback, also check your local junkyards they sometimes sell new ones for about 100 bucks as well. I purchased one of those for my ex and so far running good. I have always gotten my radiators for my cars from a local junkyard and they have always lasted me.

[TowingExplorer]

Originally Posted by rstang50

My 2007 Explorer V8 is a leaker at 80,000. The leak is on the driver's side edge and leaks down to the lower support. Advance Auto has a lifetime radiator for $240 - $50 for code "visa" and free shipping.

"Lifetime" warranties at Advance are single replacement.

AutoZone, on the other hand, has true lifetime warranties. I do not know if they have the radiator though.

[nh5]

Update for all, I haven't logged into this site in probably a year. My 06 Explorer has 84,500 on it currently.

Have replaced the radiator once
Coolant system is currently leaking from all different places and fan gets really loud randomly radiator has held up so far.
I've been through at least 4 lower and upper thermostat housings.
Combustion gases are leaking into the coolant system increasing the pressure in the system and as the bubbles hit the coolant temperature sensor they occasionally cause the fan to kick up and the temperature gauge to bounce.

So effectively, one of the head gaskets maybe both are blown. I have personally owned this vehicle from the dealer lot it's been babied and had all maintenance done. It also has never overheated. I've had it tested at the shop and have confirmed the combustion gas in the coolant.

On top of all this, I've had transmission issues which include the delay/slam into reverse and when shifting, replacing the solenoid pack solved that one.

Car has been deemed junk by me. It's going up for sale. It's sad this car couldn't make it 100,000 for me. Sucks I bought out right.

Also some advice, avoid replacing radiators too much pressure is causing them to blow out. A 16lb Radiator cap is know the help the situation, before sale I will be attempting a lower temp thermostat and maybe some head gasket stop leak to see if it improves the situation.

[shaker1]

Has anyone had a replacement radiator start leaking after replacing the 20 lb cap with a 16 lb cap?

I am wondering if lowering the pressure build up has been effective. So far mine is still good. I replaced my radiator and the cap at the same time roughly 1 year ago. The first two radiators were oem, the current one Vista Pro brand.

[Mburkhea]

Had the dealer reflash the pcm, but they said the tranny is out. 66k and I need a new tranny. This car is crap, and I know every manufacturer has its issues, but this two Ford family is never buying another Ford product again. $30,000 vehicles should last a little longer than 65k.

[shaker1]

Originally Posted by Mburkhea

Had the dealer reflash the pcm, but they said the tranny is out. 66k and I need a new tranny. This car is crap, and I know every manufacturer has its issues, but this two Ford family is never buying another Ford product again. $30,000 vehicles should last a little longer than 65k.

Did the dealer check the fluid level? Could the independent shop who did the second radiator have left the fluid drain and never actually refilled it? Driving around low a couple quarts of fluid would likely do the tranny in before too long.

[midiout]

I can related to the frustrated owners. Since I traded my 2006 V6 E.B. two years ago for my 2011 Kia Sorento EX I4 FWD, no more issues such as window motors, thermostat housings, three radiators, have plagued me. Ford knows they have problems, but since most people are near the FP plan warranty deadline, guess who pays ?? I would love to see who purchased my EB and whats happened so far.

[EX-SV]

^ Yes, my 2007 Explorer V8 that I traded away in March was out of warranty. And I could tell my Ford dealer was happily treating it like a cash cow.

At 52K miles they replaced radiator and rear hatch actuator (not to mention battery, OD switch, lighted visor mirrors replaced while out of warranty too). They also wanted to replace the squeaking blend door for $500, I declined. I wasn't looking forward to spark plugs, exhaust manifold, another radiator, brakes, so it's gone at 57K miles. It was a good truck for 1st 50K, expectations for next 50K weren't so good.

[thamusic54]

Originally Posted by shaker1

Has anyone had a replacement radiator start leaking after replacing the 20 lb cap with a 16 lb cap?

I am wondering if lowering the pressure build up has been effective. So far mine is still good. I replaced my radiator and the cap at the same time roughly 1 year ago. The first two radiators were oem, the current one Vista Pro brand.

The day after I bought the Ex, the radiator was leaking. Took it back to the previous owner who replaced the radiator. Two days later I changed the cap from 20psi to 16psi, and so far everything is good.

[Mburkhea]

Originally Posted by shaker1

Did the dealer check the fluid level? Could the independent shop who did the second radiator have left the fluid drain and never actually refilled it? Driving around low a couple quarts of fluid would likely do the tranny in before too long.

Yes they checked the fluid level and said it was good. Their suggestion of tranny replacement was based on the technician driving it and a diagnostic code from the computer. By the way, it was not this car's second radiator - it is the third...

Thanks for the input, but this car is junk. Too bad I still owe $5k on it.

[pjw73nh]

Originally Posted by EX-SV

^ Yes, my 2007 Explorer V8 that I traded away in March was out of warranty. And I could tell my Ford dealer was happily treating it like a cash cow.

At 52K miles they replaced radiator and rear hatch actuator (not to mention battery, OD switch, lighted visor mirrors replaced while out of warranty too). They also wanted to replace the squeaking blend door for $500, I declined. I wasn't looking forward to spark plugs, exhaust manifold, another radiator, brakes, so it's gone at 57K miles. It was a good truck for 1st 50K, expectations for next 50K weren't so good.

Ex-SV, If your old one was a 2008 I'd swear I bought your car last April.... :-) Same issues...

P----

[WaltZ]

Picked up an 06 Mounty with a V8 6 months ago. It now has 66k on it. Started smelling antifreeze every now-and-then about a month ago. A few weeks ago, there were 2 small wet spots, side-by-side under the front [nothing major].

Lately its been hot, so the AC has been running. On occasion the "super fan" effect happens while just driving down the road and just yesterday, while at a drive thru, the AC started blowing warm and I saw the temp gauge was maxed out hot. After driving a little bit, the temp went back to normal. I topped off the anti-freeze last night.

I am so glad I bought the after market warranty from the dealer. So far they've replaced 2 rear struts, wheel bearing, both 3rd row seat motors and the idler pulley.

Looks like a new radiator is next

[Davidm53]

Had coolant leaking out of mine at 80,000 miles V6. Was glad to see it from around the water pump area, bought a new Motorcraft pump from Amazon.

Ended up being the small hose between the pump and the Thermostat housing.
Had the shop install the new pump anyway since they said that hose is hard to replace without removing the pump.
Still have the 16PSI cap on the radiator, thinking the hose was going to go no mater what psi.
If to do over again, would have a shop do a pressure check of the system, before buying parts, but do not regret having a new pump.

[donstevens]

Update:

I tow occasionally with my Ex to I decided not to tollerate a leaky radiator. I bought a replacement unit from 1-800-Radiator and A/C. The good - $153.00, lifetime warranty (whatever that means) and free next day delivery. The bad - it is a Chinese made replacement (as so many parts are these days). Had my mechanic install it (he cussed quite a bit due to unfamiliarity to Fords) and after 4 months all is fine.

I also replaced the spark plugs a month or so ago.

After both of those procedures, I did have the PCM and TCM reflashed recently and those procedures did help the drivability.

The A/C lost it's charge a week ago but a bottle of recharge from the local Advance Auto Parts solved that.

Fingers crossed.

Don

[jakesc7]

Alright people I've about had it with Ford. These frickin' radiators in the '06 models are absolutely ridiculous. I am never buying another Ford just for the fact that Ford is very aware of this problem with their radiators and still have not issued a recall. F*** FORD!!!

I dont mean to offend anybody but this is complete B.S.!

On radiator #3 starting tomorrow. Don't wate your time w/ OEM. get the aftermarket radiator and save yourself $500

[shaker1]

Originally Posted by jakesc7

Alright people I've about had it with Ford. These frickin' radiators in the '06 models are absolutely ridiculous. I am never buying another Ford just for the fact that Ford is very aware of this problem with their radiators and still have not issued a recall. F*** FORD!!!

I dont mean to offend anybody but this is complete B.S.!

On radiator #3 starting tomorrow. Don't wate your time w/ OEM. get the aftermarket radiator and save yourself $500

With 56K miles on mine the only problem I have had is two radiators, the first one replaced under 3/36. The second one I put in about 16 months ago. I also have an 08 GT500 that has never had a single problem in 25K miles, despite being modded to 630 HP. My 10 SHO has had one trip to the dealer for warranty items and that is it.

I understand your frustration, but my view is Ford's quality is really quite good at the price point, but this generation of Explorers has a few nasty quirks. Understand that recalls are not initiated for leaky radiators, really only safety related issues. Where Ford let us down is not extending the warranties on these radiators or offering customer assistance, which would have really helped with customer loyalty.

[Fire488]

WOW!
I am starting to get very nervous about my 2007 Explorer limited V8. It has the radiator leak on drivers side that drips down the side of the radiator, the passenger side exhaust manifold leak when cold, front wheel bearings making noise.
-replaced blender doors- $750.00
-replaced air conditioner line to rear ac unit- $1200.00
-replaced- front ac line- $850.00
-replaced leaking anti freeze manifold on firewall- $575.00

I am starting to see this vehicle as a tail chaser and becoming impossible to keep up with.

I can't complain too much though it does have 120k on it.

My last vehicle, a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder has 500k and is still going strong. I never had to do any major repairs on that vehicle the entire time I have owned it. Looks like i'm going to start shopping another vehicle i guess.