2006 explorer radiator

[midiout]

That looks like a pressure burst to me. Perhaps the thermostat was stuck ?

 

[Ford81]

That looks like a pressure burst to me. Perhaps the thermostat was stuck ?

Yeah, it very well may have been the thermostat getting stuck. I'm replacing the thermostat as well just in case.

 

[TowingExplorer]

That looks like a pressure burst to me. Perhaps the thermostat was stuck ?

Correct me if I am wrong, but if the thermostat were to get stuck, the extra pressure caused by heating up coolant in the engine would be "vented" through a cap into the overflow.

That's how it works on other vehicles I have worked on anyway.

 

[awb106]

I have an 06 EB that is beginning to leak coolant. Similar issues to everyone else, it seems like.

Here are my questions for anyone who knows...

1. Assuming it is a radiator/hose/gasket type of issue, is this covered by the Ford Certified Preowned Powertrain Limited Warranty?

2. Is this issue specifically related to 2006 explorers, or does it exist with 07 and 08 models as well?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ford81]

I have an 06 EB that is beginning to leak coolant. Similar issues to everyone else, it seems like.

Here are my questions for anyone who knows...

1. Assuming it is a radiator/hose/gasket type of issue, is this covered by the Ford Certified Preowned Powertrain Limited Warranty?

2. Is this issue specifically related to 2006 explorers, or does it exist with 07 and 08 models as well?

Thanks in advance.

If you are still under warranty, you may get away with it, but chances are small. The issue seems to be isolated to the early 2006 models.

Good luck with replacing the radiator. I suggest radiatorbarn.com as that's where I purchased mine. It was an exact fit.

Cheers!

 

[Threnners]

I am broken hearted. Bull makes the jet engine noise of the slow coolant leak. The heater also doesn't blow anything but cold air. It just started this yesterday.

So much for Christmas cash!!!

 

[TowingExplorer]

I am broken hearted. Bull makes the jet engine noise of the slow coolant leak. The heater also doesn't blow anything but cold air. It just started this yesterday.

Cold heat inside the cabin is typically a sign of air in the coolant system.

 

[Threnners]

Well, there was air in the coolant system all right...because the coolant was on the ground underneath the truck.

 

[TowingExplorer]

Well, there was air in the coolant system all right...because the coolant was on the ground underneath the truck.

This sounds more like sarcasm than a diagnosis.

The cooling system is pressurized so it is entirely possible for a small leak to only leak outward, and not inward (meaning no air in the system). Of course, once the reservoir is empty, there is where the air would begin getting sucked into the system.

 

[Threnners]

It was sarcasm. (Guess I should have added the tag.) I noticed when we put the coolant in, the air immediately blew hot but got cold again. That's when I got out and pointed out to my dad what was going on underneath the truck. (A drip, a drop, then a stream.)

That said, she got a new Radiator this morning. The shop owner said they've seen too many 06 crapped out radiators and Ford needs to issue a recall. That class action suit sounds better every day. My car just hit 30,000 miles - my 98 Mustang is still trudging on with its original one. It's just not right.

 

[stefaniep]

2006 EX-radiator leak

Just got off phone with Ford.com customer care (800-392-3673). Still no recalls on this issue (crack in seam of radiator), though based on blogs it is obviously defective part. Am just o/side warranty on this issue, so am going to have to pay for Ford's problem. I have printed out pages of blogs citing this issue with 06 Explorers. When I pick up my car from shop this afternoon I will appeal to service manager and see what help I can get on local level.

 

[Hardline]

Well after 15 months of owning this truck I am about to install radiator number 3! I purchased the first one from 1800radiators. They were nice enough to warranty the second one even though it was obvious that the system was over pressurizing and had blown apart the header panels. I installed the new radiator along with a new cap and thermostat. I had been noticing the residue around the cap and the thermostat housing indication of the system puking so I thought this may help. I also got the pleasure of paying the 100 and something bucks to have them top off the tranny fluid seeing as Ford thought it would be a great idea to not put a dipstick in the system. I then heard of the TSB out to change the cooling strategy and paid another 100 bucks for that. Well guess what we are now due for another radiator!

 

[Hardline]

Ok here is the latest update on my 06. I talked to the dealer yesterday. They said that they did have an updated radiator that was released on April 9th 09. Part# 6L2Z 8005 AD. After I explained all the heck I had been through with the radiators in this rig and that I was about to get rid of it and the other 8 Fords that we own he asked how exactly I could condemn Fords and their products after I have had failed repairs using aftermarket parts on it. That did seem to make a bit of sense to me so I dropped the truck off to them this morning. They installed the new updated radiator,cap, thermostat and thermostat housing. He said that this would def. fix my problems and that I would have no more problems from here on out. Which I hope is the case because my wife really like this truck and I do not want to get rid of all my Fords. I will keep you updated on how it goes. Oh and make sure you are sitting down when you get the price of the new updated radiator. It is a bit of sticker shock! JJ

 

[NS]

Ok here is the latest update on my 06. I talked to the dealer yesterday. They said that they did have an updated radiator that was released on April 9th 09. Part# 6L2Z 8005 AD. After I explained all the heck I had been through with the radiators in this rig and that I was about to get rid of it and the other 8 Fords that we own he asked how exactly I could condemn Fords and their products after I have had failed repairs using aftermarket parts on it. That did seem to make a bit of sense to me so I dropped the truck off to them this morning. They installed the new updated radiator,cap, thermostat and thermostat housing. He said that this would def. fix my problems and that I would have no more problems from here on out. Which I hope is the case because my wife really like this truck and I do not want to get rid of all my Fords. I will keep you updated on how it goes. Oh and make sure you are sitting down when you get the price of the new updated radiator. It is a bit of sticker shock! JJ

My response would have been, "Why did it fail to begin with?" A radiator should never fail on a vehicle today.

$460. I just called. Dealer wants $1,100 for radiator install and PCM re-flash

 

[Durf]

awb106 - my dealer looked it up and said the radiator and cooling/heater system are not covered by the Ford Certified Preowned Powertrain Limited Warranty.
My 2006 Ex V6 43k mi radiator just failed - dealer quoted $1,000 to repair with a part cost of $700...
I've read all 9-pages of posts here and my mechanic who replaced the radiator ($400) has a new take on it: ELECTROLYSIS. Just search radiator electrolysis and all kinds of good info comes up. It seems many of the posts here note different types of radiator failures on the 06' Exs - this is explained by Electrolysis as well. My mechanic says it's like cancer and difficult to defeat.
I'll be taking the advise of some info found by repacing the coolant more often and having the system flushed at those times...

 

[midiout]

Maybe FORD will blame the supplier of the anti-freeze ? The the aluminum fins and plastic should not cause a electrolysis problem. The overpressurization seems to be the logical course. When you think about it, the cold antifreeze in the radiator and the hot antifreeze in the engine hitting each other, what happens ? We have a low-pressure steam heat boiler in the house, so when the cold water heats the steam, lots of noise.

 

[Hardline]

awb106 - my dealer looked it up and said the radiator and cooling/heater system are not covered by the Ford Certified Preowned Powertrain Limited Warranty.
My 2006 Ex V6 43k mi radiator just failed - dealer quoted $1,000 to repair with a part cost of $700...
I've read all 9-pages of posts here and my mechanic who replaced the radiator ($400) has a new take on it: ELECTROLYSIS. Just search radiator electrolysis and all kinds of good info comes up. It seems many of the posts here note different types of radiator failures on the 06' Exs - this is explained by Electrolysis as well. My mechanic says it's like cancer and difficult to defeat.
I'll be taking the advise of some info found by repacing the coolant more often and having the system flushed at those times...

Electrolysis may be what is causing your problem but I would wonder how it would make coolant puke out from under my thermostat housing and cap. Then make the header panels of my radiator bow out. Eventually going so far as to cause a split. Seems like pressure to me and the radiator is the weak link. I do not care what is causing it. Just tired of spending cash on a truck that still has payments. You would expect it from an 86 with no payment but not on an 06. JJ

 

[Hardline]

My response would have been, "Why did it fail to begin with?" A radiator should never fail on a vehicle today.

$460. I just called. Dealer wants $1,100 for radiator install and PCM re-flash

You might want to confirm they are quoting you the price of the UPDATED radiator. I have a commercial account with my local dealer and the best he could do on the price of the radiator was 505 to me. List was close to 775. JJ

 

[beek31]

Radiator

Hey guys, brand new to the forum.

Just took the '06 Explorer XLT into the dealership as the engine was making the "whooshing" noise and there was minimal heat and the dealer called and told me I have a cracked radiator so they'll need to replace the radiator & thermostat. Price quoted was $1100 total. Of course, not covered under the warranty and I'm not the original owner.

Called to a local repair shop which I've dealt with on other cars I've had and their grand total was $580.

Not happy with Ford.

 

[michael loibl]

the pressure cap should bleed off into the overflow tank around 15-16 psi regardless of whether it is hot due to stuck thermostat, super hot day, towing, or six fat girls in the back. Maybe a pressure cap with a slightly lower release pressure is available on aftermarket? It would only reduce the boiling point of the coolant a few degrees.