2016 Explorer Overheating

[supeman_006]

I searched though the first 15 pages of this section of the forum without anyone saying else saying that they are having issues but I though I was ask. Anyone else having overheating issues in a new explorer? Mine has 5600 miles on it and randomly overheats. I can hear the fan and its got coolant in it. Does this driving 50mph down the road, never been in mud, nothing in front of the radiator

 

[peterk9]

Would you describe the fan noise as normal? The reason I ask; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/radiator-fan-bearing-noise-2016-models.438269/

Peter

 

[supeman_006]

My fan "noise" is the electric fan running. like a normal electric fan on a car...... Wooooooooooooooo

No screeching or bad bearing noise.
I just started it up, both fans are electric and both sound like there are on high

 

[supeman_006]

Well..... Just figured it out. There is some flap thing made into my front grille that blocks air from going thru the radiator that was closed. I manually opened it.

Is it supposed to open/close automatically?

 

[peterk9]

Well..... Just figured it out. There is some flap thing made into my front grille that blocks air from going thru the radiator that was closed. I manually opened it.

Is it supposed to open/close automatically?

You got me with that one. I've not heard about that nor has it been mentioned here to my knowledge. Perhaps someone else is familiar with that. I had a 2011 Explorer but recall seeing anything like that. Haven't noticed it on my MKT but haven't really looked for something like that either.

Peter

 

[jmr061]

If it has active grill shutters they may not be working properly. Take it to the dealer.

 

[peterk9]

If it has active grill shutters they may not be working properly. Take it to the dealer.

Okay now I know what he's talking about. Forgot about those. They just came out with the 2016 model I believe. Thanks Jason.

Peter

 

[supeman_006]

Yeah, looks like there is some sort of actuator that's supposed to open/close them. I can't imagine them supposed to be closed with the car idling/ fans running and the temp almost pegged. The feel like they are spring loaded to close, I jammed something in there an the temp fell to normal in a few minutes.

 

[peterk9]

Yeah, looks like there is some sort of actuator that's supposed to open/close them. I can't imagine them supposed to be closed with the car idling/ fans running and the temp almost pegged. The feel like they are spring loaded to close, I jammed something in there an the temp fell to normal in a few minutes.

You should discuss this with your dealer if you feel it isn't operating correctly. I would not suggest "jamming" something in there is a good thing to do.

Peter

 

[supeman_006]

I just went to the gas station and back... The way there (shutters closed). Runs 3/4 the way up the gauge and seems what I thought was "normal"

On the way back with something jammed in there holding the shutters open. Gauge less than 1/2, a/c works 10x better than it ever has and I noticed that the temp on the radio display is 10deg cooler.

So .... Something is going to be jammed in there till Monday. I think spring loaded to close off all the air to the radiator when it fails is a mistake in engineering. The shutters litterally go from the top to the bottom of the radiator. I'm assuming we will see more 2016+ with overheating issues

 

[supeman_006]

From what I'm reading, they should be shut when the coolant temp is less than 90c. All the way open when sitting still and the coolant temp is above 90c. Any time you have the a/c on the shutters will be all the way open if your stopped and partially closed at highway speeds.

 

[thefranchise713]

When the vehicle starts, the Active Grille Shutters do a diagnostic sweep (full close-full open) and then reset to the proper position. I one of the modules then commands it based on vehicle speed and, of course, temperature. (I can't remember if it's the PCM or BCM that does the commanding, but no matter...)

I don't believe it is spring loaded but I could be wrong. Report back on what the dealer finds, I've never heard of these malfunctioning like this before. You'd think they'd be smart enough to fail open... can't imagine the algorithm itself is flawed given that Ford would have had a ton more failures like this by now.

 

[supeman_006]

As stated, the shutters are not supposed to be spring loaded. However the arm was missing half of it (the side connected to the motor was never there). The half that was there was just long enough to stick against the core support making it spring close. Took them a week and a half to figure it out and guessing Monday till they get a new arm in.

 

[dco43054]

If it has active grill shutters they may not be working properly. Take it to the dealer.

I'll have to take a look at mine. I didn't realize they had been added.

 

[IndianaJones]

I searched though the first 15 pages of this section of the forum without anyone saying else saying that they are having issues but I though I was ask. Anyone else having overheating issues in a new explorer? Mine has 5600 miles on it and randomly overheats. I can hear the fan and its got coolant in it. Does this driving 50mph down the road, never been in mud, nothing in front of the radiator

I have a 2016 Explorer with about 12k miles and my truck just started doing this today but only when the AC is on.

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2016 Explorer with about 12k miles and my truck just started doing this today but only when the AC is on.

Welcome to the Forum.
Have you checked the active grille shutters to make sure they are working. I don't know if you can manually open/close them since my 2017 doesn't have them.

Peter