2006 explorer radiator

[dothedeww]

okay, so if im correct you have to remove the transmission cooloer lines as well? How do you do this with loosing as little fluid as possible?

[dothedeww]

okay..i took the transmission cooler lines off of the old radiator...and the new radiator has different size fittings. like the threads on the old one are too small to fit in the cooler of the new one? How do I fix this?

[beaudarvil]

Out of frustration and after reading of some successful uses, I relunctantly added some Bars Leak to my radiator. For 2 days I felt like a genius. The 3rd day I felt a little sick to my stomach as I exited the garage to see a puddle under the vehicle. Not under the radiator, as had been the case leading up to this, but further back. After climbing on top of and underneath of the vehicle while it was running and not running it appears the leak is coming from either the water pump or the hose that attaches to the top of the water pump. Too much antifreeze coming out to be the weep hole I think.

I post this for 2 reasons; First to let anyone know who's about to use Bars Leak that it might seal the radiator but problems may occur on down the line. Second, to see if anyone else has seen this kind of leak.

[RockMoose]

So has anyone with the V8 in the 06 EX had or heard of the V8 having these radiator problems?

[beaudarvil]

I haven't seen anyone post problems with the radiator for the V8. I had an f150 with the 4.6 and it was bulletproof. 200K and only replaced an alternator.

New waterpump on the Explorer yesterday...let's see how long I can go without the lovely smell of hot antifreeze on my driveway.

[sailfishford]

Bought my 2006 4.0 explorer 7 months ago. I got it used at 45,000 miles and it now has 55,000 miles. the fan in the truck kept coming on. It sounded cool and at first i thought it was just the hot south florida summer making it come on but it would just stay on. After some suspisions i looked at the ground after it being parked for a couple minuted and out came orange fluid. Took a look at the radiator resivor and it was almost empty. Took it to the dealer today so lets see what happens. I have a warranty but I am not paying a dime. Ford already bought back my last truck.

[dothedeww]

Just put my new radiator in about 3 weeks ago....now im having the same "superfan" noise...where itll randomly just kick up to high speed. And the reservoir is slowly diminishing.

So I replaced the last one myself.....and it has a year warranty, so a new one would be covered for free. But should I just have it done somewhere professionaly so if....well when it cracks again they can deal with it?

[roadrash919]

Has anybody purchased a replacement radiator off of e-bay? Have seen them on there for 70 bucks.. Just wondering if it is too good to be true..price wise

[Rngrs3910]

Originally Posted by RockMoose

So has anyone with the V8 in the 06 EX had or heard of the V8 having these radiator problems?

I've got the 06' V8 4.6L and it's in the shop now getting the radiator replaced, thankfully covered by the extended warranty. Bought mine used about 2 years ago with 28k, quickly got it up to 65k before I had to get the radiator replaced. It started making the "super-fan" noise a few months ago, very few and far between though. Last week it started doing it constantly, and began to overheat on my drive home from work.

Are other Explorers in this generation (07,08,09, etc.) or other ford models having this same radiator problem? If not, I'd think that getting a Ford Genuine Replacement would solve the problem, and you shouldn't have to get it done a second time. If you go to junk yard or let your mechanic buy one second hand and they get one straight out of another 06, then you're asking for it to become a recurring problem.

[bm4183]

I had the dealership replace my radiator (33K miles) with a ford unit they said was "new and improved" but it only lasted 20K miles. I just finished replacing it with a cheap $78 one off Ebay. I'll let you know how long it lasts.

I did talk to a tech from the dealership and he said they had a new tune for the computer that takes care of the radiator issues, something about having the fan coming on sooner.....

[roadrash919]

thanks.. I ordered one from radiator express.com....it was 170.. should be here tomorrow.. DO NOT order a radiator from partstrain.com... they think that an 02-05 explorer has the same radiator as an 06` ., nope

[bm4183]

I had the dealership reprogram the PCM today according to TSB 09-8-01 even though no one there could tell me what they were actually changing. We'll see how long the new radiator lasts......

[IAR]

I just read this thread went outside and yep.. just like the picture way earlier in this thread a rad leak in the same spot. I have an EB 4.0 '06 For those who replaced, how long does the replacement last? If '07s '08's aren't seeming to have this issue can I just order a different model year than mine to install?

Any input would be appreciated.

[sailfishford]

The dealership for mine replaced the hoses with sone thick nylon looking ones and the thermostat. They said it was not the radiator but the hoses. Haven't had a problem since

[Ford81]

Hey guys,

Thank you for participating in the forum. Reading the entire thing has been a lot of help. I do have a few questions. Here is my story:

I have a 2006 Ford Explorer XLS V6. I bought it less a year ago with 22k miles. As most of the people in the forum, my car began by overheating sporadically just recently. So I found the leaks and I attempted to fix it by adding "Bar's Stop Leak." After a few days, I noticed things got better. I drained, flushed, and added brand new coolant to the Radiator. Now, I notice the leaks better (although there is no proof of it on the floor). Below are my images:


I also noticed some coolant fluid on the lower hose...I just couldn't find the point of origin.


I'm at the point that I know I have to change the radiator. Here are a few questions:

1.Ford wants $530.00 for a brand new Radiator. Are the Ford radiators worth it? Or should I go with an aftermarket?

2. If you recommend an aftermarket radiator, based on your experiences (I know some of you have changed the radiator more than once), which aftermarket radiator is best and where can I purchase it?

3. Does any of you know why the radiators fail so much? Is it the Radiator itself, or the system? Where else can I look to avoid / prevent another Radiator mishap?

I really appreciate your input and all your help!

Cheers!

Rod

[dothedeww]

Originally Posted by Ford81

Hey guys,

Thank you for participating in the forum. Reading the entire thing has been a lot of help. I do have a few questions. Here is my story:

I have a 2006 Ford Explorer XLS V6. I bought it less a year ago with 22k miles. As most of the people in the forum, my car began by overheating sporadically just recently. So I found the leaks and I attempted to fix it by adding "Bar's Stop Leak." After a few days, I noticed things got better. I drained, flushed, and added brand new coolant to the Radiator. Now, I notice the leaks better (although there is no proof of it on the floor). Below are my images:




I also noticed some coolant fluid on the lower hose...I just couldn't find the point of origin.



I'm at the point that I know I have to change the radiator. Here are a few questions:

1.Ford wants $530.00 for a brand new Radiator. Are the Ford radiators worth it? Or should I go with an aftermarket?

2. If you recommend an aftermarket radiator, based on your experiences (I know some of you have changed the radiator more than once), which aftermarket radiator is best and where can I purchase it?

3. Does any of you know why the radiators fail so much? Is it the Radiator itself, or the system? Where else can I look to avoid / prevent another Radiator mishap?

I really appreciate your input and all your help!

Cheers!

Rod

I replaced mine about 7k miles ago...with a napa one for $220. Its lasting great so far...was a direct fit except removing the transmission lines is a pain in the a$$....becuase you lose some fluid and since we have a closed system, you cant refill without a special tool.

Plus, when removing the radiator hoses...actually take the hose out of hte connecter..dont try to unscrew the connector...because the aftermarket radiator comes with new connecters that are a different size than the old ones. Removing hte lines in a pain because you have to put two flathead screwedrivers in each side and pry off the metal thing holding the lines into the connecter. Pain in the butt, but saved a lot of money.

Just out of curiosity...mine failed after a long 1000mile trip...anyone else having theirs fail after a long trip?

[TowingExplorer]

Originally Posted by dothedeww

I replaced mine about 7k miles ago...with a napa one for $220. Its lasting great so far...was a direct fit except removing the transmission lines is a pain in the a$$....becuase you lose some fluid and since we have a closed system, you cant refill without a special tool.

You can't fill it through the fluid dipstick tube?

[dothedeww]

Originally Posted by TowingExplorer

You can't fill it through the fluid dipstick tube?

If you can find a dipstick for the 06 Explorer let me know...cuz no one else can hahaha

[TowingExplorer]

Originally Posted by dothedeww

If you can find a dipstick for the 06 Explorer let me know...cuz no one else can hahaha

I don't have a V6 so I cannot look, sorry.

What is the fluid check procedure for the V6?

[dothedeww]

Originally Posted by TowingExplorer

I don't have a V6 so I cannot look, sorry.

What is the fluid check procedure for the V6?

From what I can see, there is no fluid check procedure. We're kinda stuck having all the tranny fluid work done at the dealer...which I cant stand. I lost some fluid doing the radiator as I said...and I still am unsure of how much is left is there..because there is no place to check.

Is there a spot on the V8?