2018 Explorer 2.3l coolant leak

[Minnesnowta]

New to the forum, tried the search function and not a lot of information on the 2.3l turbo. My wife’s 2018 Explorer XLT was low on coolant this morning, fluids are checked regularly and didn’t notice any loss last weekend. She went into labor a couple days ago so we took off in a hurry to the hospital without checking fluids, I noticed a couple drops of what I now assume was coolant in the snow the day before we left. I poked my head under and didn’t see any visible leaks or anything and the coolant level wasn’t out of the “normal” lines. We took off and once we were about to the hospital we lost heat. Now today went to prepare the vehicle to leave and topped it off, took about half a gallon and still no leaks looking from the top side and just poking my head under. Oil wasn’t milky. Tough to tell if the exhaust had excessive smoke as it was 10 degrees outside. What should I be looking for? Any known leaks or issues with these?

 

[syncceduppp]

Do you happen to remember about where the coolant drips were? That'll help narrow things down.
The issue to be concerned about on Gen 5 Explorers is the infamous internal water pump. Various seals and components on those tend to fail over time, causing coolant and/or oil to go places they're not supposed to go.
Generally you shouldn't be losing coolant. The missing coolant can be going in one of three major places:

1. Leaking directly onto the ground. Note where: If it's from the water pump, it'll be coming out of the weep hole around the alternator in the front right of the vehicle.
2. Being burned by the engine - not great, can cause engine damage.
3. Mixed in with the oil - big issue, will destroy engine if allowed to continue running because a coolant/oil mix isn't an effective lubricant.

If you run or drive the vehicle at all, check the oil dipstick every single time and get it towed to a shop if it starts to look off.
The water pump is an expensive involved repair due to its internal nature. If the engine gets damaged, that's even more $$$.

 

[Minnesnowta]

Do you happen to remember about where the coolant drips were? That'll help narrow things down.
The issue to be concerned about on Gen 5 Explorers is the infamous internal water pump. Various seals and components on those tend to fail over time, causing coolant and/or oil to go places they're not supposed to go.
Generally you shouldn't be losing coolant. The missing coolant can be going in one of three major places:

1. Leaking directly onto the ground. Note where: If it's from the water pump, it'll be coming out of the weep hole around the alternator in the front right of the vehicle.
2. Being burned by the engine - not great, can cause engine damage.
3. Mixed in with the oil - big issue, will destroy engine if allowed to continue running because a coolant/oil mix isn't an effective lubricant.

If you run or drive the vehicle at all, check the oil dipstick every single time and get it towed to a shop if it starts to look off.
The water pump is an expensive involved repair due to its internal nature. If the engine gets damaged, that's even more $$$.

Got it into my shop today, looks like it’s coming from the driver side under the intake area, or at least there’s a pool there and running down the front of the engine. The thermostat housing looks dry. The 2.3’s have an external water pump don’t they? At least that’s what it looks like I’m looking at.

 

[Minnesnowta]

Got it into my shop today, looks like it’s coming from the driver side under the intake area, or at least there’s a pool there and running down the front of the engine. The thermostat housing looks dry. The 2.3’s have an external water pump don’t they? At least that’s what it looks like I’m looking at.

The orange boot right under the wire harness, looks like it’s a sensor of some sort? That looks like it may be the only coolant related part in the vicinity, you can also see the pool of orange coolant right below it

 

[Minnesnowta]

After doing some of my own research(there’s very limited on the 2.3’s I’ve found) and some more investigating, I believe what I’m looking at there is the block heater? Anyone able to verify that or point me in the direction of some information? The dealerships around me couldn’t help me out other than tell me it’s a .9 hour book time to replace a block heater

 

[1sicbronconut]

That looks like the plug for the block heater which would mean that it's actually un-plugged. It could be leaking through the center of the block heater and I have seen some of the preformed hoses at the back of the engine leak also.

 

[Minnesnowta]

That looks like the plug for the block heater which would mean that it's actually un-plugged. It could be leaking through the center of the block heater and I have seen some of the preformed hoses at the back of the engine leak also.

I believe it is the block heater? What is the easiest way to access it to change it out? I’m confident that’s what is leaking, getting a pressure test kit tomorrow to verify.

 

[peterk9]

I believe it is the block heater? What is the easiest way to access it to change it out? I’m confident that’s what is leaking, getting a pressure test kit tomorrow to verify.

Welcome to the Forum.
Could it be that it just needs tightening?

Peter

 

[1sicbronconut]

Front of the engine right above the starter, they screw in and you'mm need a pretty big socket to R and I it.

 

[Minnesnowta]

Welcome to the Forum.
Could it be that it just needs tightening?

Peter

Hello! I was able to get it fixed temporarily, the original block heater was leaking through the center, I ended up putting a 3/4 npt plug in it until the dealership could get me one, turns out no parts stores can even get their hands on one.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Hello! I was able to get it fixed temporarily, the original block heater was leaking through the center, I ended up putting a 3/4 npt plug in it until the dealership could get me one, turns out no parts stores can even get their hands on one.

Good to hear that.

 

[Minnesnowta]

Front of the engine right above the starter, they screw in and you'mm need a pretty big socket to R and I it. View attachment 461261

33mm or 34mm? I can’t remember but yes a rather large socket. Ended up threading a 3/4npt brass plug in its place until the dealership could get one. They didn’t sound very sure of if/when they could get one. Crazy that a vehicle this new has parts that are not easily accessible. Also may I ask where you found that breakdown? Definitely will come in handy in the future

 

[1sicbronconut]

33mm or 34mm? I can’t remember but yes a rather large socket. Ended up threading a 3/4npt brass plug in its place until the dealership could get one. They didn’t sound very sure of if/when they could get one. Crazy that a vehicle this new has parts that are not easily accessible. Also may I ask where you found that breakdown? Definitely will come in handy in the future

I'm a Ford technician so I can even access shop manuals from home Lots of parts are on back order now a days so even the block heater could be I guess. I wouldn't worry about it to much I don't know of very many folks that plug vehicles in anymore other than diesel owners.

 

[Minnesnowta]

I'm a Ford technician so I can even access shop manuals from home Lots of parts are on back order now a days so even the block heater could be I guess. I wouldn't worry about it to much I don't know of very many folks that plug vehicles in anymore other than diesel owners.

I wasn’t even aware there was a block heater on it, the chord was tucked nice and neat up under the radiator support. Good to know! I know who I’ll be messaging when if I have any issues in the future, thank you