2014 Explorer XLT - Multiple Issues at Once

[MaxedTFOut]

Hi All

3.5 weeks ago I picked up a 2014 Ford Explorer XLT with 188k km. Excellent shape in every way we can see. Test drives went excellent, no issues of any kind. Was recently serviced with a fair amount of work done (tires, brakes, recalls and a few other items) plus government safety inspection and a final inspection the day before we picked it up.

Engine Issues
Just over a week after picking it up I noticed thick white smoke at startup for 2-3 seconds. Happened every startup. No smell, just thick white smoke for a few seconds. I was out of town when it started. 3 days later, I start it up to head home and the smoke was there and smelled of oil. The next morning, no more smoke. All gone, every start is clear. No check engine light, no driving issues. If I was not standing behind it at startup, never would have known.

A few days later, the check engine light came on. It was after getting gas and I was told that is common for vehicles. Light went off an hour later. Came on again the next day, then went off.

A few days after that, heading out of town, the engine "stumbled" on the highway and the check engine light came on and stayed on. Vehicle was having trouble accellerating between 60 and 100km. after 100km it was normal but I would not chance trying to pass someone and risk it stumbling, or worse. Returning home the next day, same issue.

The next few days, it drives great. No stumble. No check engine. No smoke. Just a good vehicle.

Then the smoke came back for a couple of starts and went away. No smell, just smoke, then gone.
Then the stumble came back, starting at 30km.
Then the check engine came on and has stayed on.
3 days ago the engine started ticking and sounds like a diesel truck.
Yesterday, and again today, a mysterious "tone" sounded inside the vehcile while stopped. happened 3 times so far. No extra warning lights, no one around me, radio off, no navigation, no phone, nothing. Just a short mysterious tone to alert me to another mystery I guess.

I am awaiting on the dealership to get booked in for diagnostic and repair. Until then, I am curiuous WTF did I get myself into?

Miscelanious Issues
The drivers side interior dome light is not working. The passenger side blinks like a madman when the door is open or at engine shut off. this may have been like this during test drives, not sure as it was day time and I had not looked at the interior lights. Is it like turn singals where one alerts you to an issue of the other?

The navigation map is A5 which I believe is the one that came with it in 2014 and A15 is the newest. Easy to replace but I noticed that it seems to possibly have GPS drift. It frequently shows me well off the road. Sometimes most of the ride, other times just a few seconds. Makes actual navigation difficult as it often tells me I am off course. I have done the soft reset 3 times with no resolution. Would getting the newer A15 resolve this drift or is that an internal GPS signal issue?

Whew, that is a LOT for less than a month. :/

 

[Turdle]

V6 or 4cyl turbo?
Does prior service records indicate a water pump replacement?

 

[MaxedTFOut]

V6. No waterpump service I am aware of.

 

[kennyrkun]

V6. No waterpump service I am aware of.

Check the coolant reservoir, it should be full. Also check under the front of the vehicle, for a green/brown sludge on the bottom of the engine/ac compressor/floor where you park.

 

[MaxedTFOut]

Check the coolant reservoir, it should be full. Also check under the front of the vehicle, for a green/brown sludge on the bottom of the engine/ac compressor/floor where you park.

There has been no sign of any leaks anywhere parked. During our test drives we looked under it and saw nothing indicating any kind of leak or coolant issues. I will recheck it for sure though. Temp in gauge cluster never passes the halfway mark, if that matters.

 

[MaxedTFOut]

Sitting for about 36 hours.

Coolant reservoir is at the lower of the 2 lines. There is no coolant smell anywhere and no visible coolant leaks.

Oil dip stick has no full or add indicator on it, but appears full and light brown. No burnt smell or any non oil smell.

I did see a very small wet spot on the ground, which is oil. And there is evidence of oil on the underside in 2 spots. Photo attached. There was no visible evidence when purchased but it had been fully detailed.

My son used his code reader to get the check engine codes. P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire) and P0344 (camshaft position sensor).

Is it possible this vehicle was great when sold and suddenly developed this after 1500km of driving?

 

[MaxedTFOut]

Pic did not seem to post, trying again.

 

[94Eddie]

A couple of things. Buy kits to check for coolant in the engine oil and one to check for combustion gases in the coolant. This will confirm if there is a blown head gasket and/or the internal water pump is leaking coolant into the engine oil. I don't recommend driving it until these tests are completed. Especially the one for coolant in the engine oil.

 

[Arma]

Sitting for about 36 hours.

Coolant reservoir is at the lower of the 2 lines. There is no coolant smell anywhere and no visible coolant leaks.

Oil dip stick has no full or add indicator on it, but appears full and light brown. No burnt smell or any non oil smell.

I did see a very small wet spot on the ground, which is oil. And there is evidence of oil on the underside in 2 spots. Photo attached. There was no visible evidence when purchased but it had been fully detailed.

My son used his code reader to get the check engine codes. P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire) and P0344 (camshaft position sensor).

Is it possible this vehicle was great when sold and suddenly developed this after 1500km of driving?

The codes - It's 99% an injector issue. While in there, de-carbonize the intake.

The rest - sounds like you need a new waterpump and timing kit. You are at the perfect mileage to do it all. Big maintenance but you'll be good for another 180k Km then.

It's possible that all this has developed, that there were no hidden defects at the time of sale.