06 Explorer V8 radiator issue

[bojans]

I have looked through all the radiators issues (13 pages) but haven't seen anything about the V8. My O6 V8 Limited has sprung a leak, just noticed it this morning. Anyone else have this issue with the V8?

 

[StonedExplorer]

I agree, I have not read anything about problems with radiators in the V8's. I have 40K miles and no issues. How many miles do you have and can you find where it is leaking?

 

[White97Jimmy]

I have 45k and no issues I'm aware of on the radiator. I did have an overheat problem on the way to work the other day and think it was the thermostat. I bought a new one on the way home and changed it out that night. Haven't had any problems since. Only thing was that the coolant level was a little low before I changed out my thermostat, but no drip marks in my garage.

 

[bojans]

I just turned over 80k and the leak appears to be intermittent, one morning I have a small puddle, next day nothing, following day 1 or 2 drops, etc. I am in the process of building a deck and getting ready to head out for vacation so I have not had time to take the fan shroud off to find the source of the leak. Sufficed to say the amount on the garage floor is so minimal it has made no impact on the fluid level in the coolant tank.

 

[cwescapexlt4x4]

Yes mine developed a leak in the mid-70K range and was replaced under my extended warranty.

 

[TowingExplorer]

06 LTD v8 here at 56k miles, no leak so far.

 

[drc01]

coolant leak

06 V8 (70K km) had a small stain in the driveway the other day, right under the rad. I had a quick look and noticed a drip/leak at the lower rad hose. Checked the overflow and saw some fluid so thought that I would just monitor the problem and deal with it sometime down the road. Only got 5 minutes from the house before it started to get hot on the temperature gauge (September in Ontario, 16 C outside) - no overheating sign but above the halfway point on the dash where it usually parks.

I stopped and had a look. Good thing - steady flow of coolant from the lower hose connection and I was leaving a trail of coolant down the road.

Factory hose clamp is an easy to install but cheap version that is tension only. No adjustment like the replacement screw kind. I filled up with water and made it home before disconnecting the hose, inspecting everything, and concluding that the OEM clamp had failed (I broke it getting it off - not sure if it was already cracked and thus the source of the leak). I replaced it with an adjustable clamp and everything appears sealed.

The moral of the story is beware the OEM hose clamps. They are good for the installers but may fatigue or otherwise lose their tension, and then you have a leak - which can be expensive if you're not lucky.

 

[yoster]

The v8 does not suffer from the same radiator hose bracket issue as the v6. Sounds like you have just a regular ol' leak. I'd get it fixed and not stress over it too much.

 

[rusty813]

mines drip coolant... but when i took my vehicle to firestone, they pressure tested the hoses and told me the vehicle is not leaking

 

[vipersinu2]

2007 Mountaineer found antifreeze Leak easy repair.

I would find a small amount of antifreeze on the ground every morning. I found the problem, it was the overflow container it had a small pin hole from rubbing on the clip where it locks in to place. Here is a picture.

 

[StateFarmGUY]

i have a V8 too and have had issues (only cause i tak it to the dunes) i replaced the radiator already, but my first leak i just went over to autozone and got the coolant stop leak, and that held up fine but make sure you get the metallic stop leak, it works awesome i keep a bottle in the back when i go out (just in case)