Coolant check

[padjoe]

As i am working through any possible issues with this 2016 xlt. I have 3 month warranty and if there is any possible big issues i want to find them now.
so i have been watching the coolant for leaks underneath, any red tinted drips in engine etc. as fluid was an inch lower than low mark on the tank.
i just squeezed the radiator hose while the car was hot and it has a hiss bubble noise at the thermostat, I could not see any liquid escape.
Is this normal or do i have leak that i have to find.

also i noticed at the back this gem, what looks like condensate dripping onto the exhaust muffler, again no red tint. but this feels like a rust hole later down the line.

 

[Odrapnew]

The hissing you hear when squeezing the hose could be cooling flowing through/past the thermostat. It could be normal, but I've never tried that so I don't know for sure.

The dripping at the back is likely the rear A/C. You can see the 2 lines that look like they are wrapped in foil above the muffler.
It looks like your muffler is rusting through where the condensation drips, is that what I'm seeing?

 

[padjoe]

its just staining on the muffler at the moment, I found it interesting that the condensation drips there which will in time rust it out. Might be good for people that have snow and salt in the winters to keep an eye on.

the hiss noise seems too loud to be internal fluids moving, ill see if i can get a vid later when i can.

 

[94Eddie]

The best way to monitor for potential water pump issues is look closely and often for the coolant level to drop in the reservoir. Our 2015 Edge (it has the same 3.5L V6 found in Explorers) is going into the Ford dealer this week because the coolant level is dropping. There are no signs of it dripping onto the driveway etc. but there appears to be residue of some sort around the area on the timing cover where the weep hole for the pump is located. I suggest you look at this area for signs of coolant seepage if you are seeing drops in the reservoir level. Luckily, our vehicle is still under warranty and if the pump is going out now is a good time for it to happen since it is a hella expensive repair.

 

[peterk9]

its just staining on the muffler at the moment, I found it interesting that the condensation drips there which will in time rust it out. Might be good for people that have snow and salt in the winters to keep an eye on.

the hiss noise seems too loud to be internal fluids moving, ill see if i can get a vid later when i can.

Any A/C moisture that drips onto the muffler is bound to dry/burn off. Since the A/C is not used in the Winter, it shouldn't be an issue. Now salt spray is a whole other issue.
If your coolant level keeps dropping and there are no leaks, it could be the water pump is leaking coolant into the engine. Have you checked the dipstick to see if the oil appears to be contaminated? If it is leaking into the engine, you should stop driving it immediately since it could destroy the engine. Water pump failure leads to dead engine

Peter

 

[padjoe]

Any A/C moisture that drips onto the muffler is bound to dry/burn off. Since the A/C is not used in the Winter, it shouldn't be an issue. Now salt spray is a whole other issue.
If your coolant level keeps dropping and there are no leaks, it could be the water pump is leaking coolant into the engine. Have you checked the dipstick to see if the oil appears to be contaminated? If it is leaking into the engine, you should stop driving it immediately since it could destroy the engine. Water pump failure leads to dead engine

Peter

Yep ive been checking the dipstick religiously as well as the expansion tank, oil is clean I think the dealer did an oil change as it looks new.
Im being vigilant as I dont know why the dealer wouldnt have topped up the coolant as well.
Could it have a slow leak that they didnt notice that possibly only happens when driving?
I'm going to use an inspection camera tonight to look behind alternator.
Is the other weep hole viewable?

 

[94Eddie]

Yep ive been checking the dipstick religiously as well as the expansion tank, oil is clean I think the dealer did an oil change as it looks new.
Im being vigilant as I dont know why the dealer wouldnt have topped up the coolant as well.
Could it have a slow leak that they didnt notice that possibly only happens when driving?
I'm going to use an inspection camera tonight to look behind alternator.
Is the other weep hole viewable?

I think the coolant leak our Edge has only happens when the engine is running because there has never been coolant pooling under the car. Look at the weep hole and see if there are signs of coolant having leaked and dried. It can be mistaken for an oil leak. It is hard to see the weep hole directly.

 

[JAPeterson]

You can get a oil test kit for free and pull a sample and send it in to be analyzed. That will tell you if there is any coolant in the oil.

I use Blackstone Labs and while most samples are taken during a oil change they do sell a kit where you can pull a sample out of the dipstick hole.

The only problem is that a dealer usually will not accept a oil analysis as proof of a problem.

 

[padjoe]

got some shots with the scope- the pic here named possible weep hole is directly to the left of the alternator bolt i am unsure if this is it. Looks like it from pics ive seen but to be honest i need confirmation from someone with experience.
other pics are from around that area moving downwards and back a little to the belt. darker colored metal spots. engine had been off for 2 hrs when i put the scope in.
Apologies, pics are 90s quality as i had to snap the screen of the laptop with my phone