another leak. different color.

[pratbert]

Now that I got the PTU leak fixed, my theory that Explorers don't like to keep their fluids is being reinforced.

When I brought the XLT in for the PTU, they also did the recall on the power steering. But now I have a green fluid that sometimes pools. I asked around and the consensus is that this is a power steering leak. I am not amused at this point. I've had it for less than a month and it has developed 2 leaks already. The PTU is covered under warranty but I have to see if the power steering leak is. I'm not ready to start sinking money into it. Is it possible that the recall is causing the leak? I know it was just programming, but if it changed the characteristics of how it works, then maybe?

I understand that Ford has a long standing issue with the PTU. Now it looks like I will be reading up on power steering leaks to see if they have an issue with that too.

Is there anything else I should expect? My bluetooth randomly disconnects for no reason and my instrument screens randomly go black. There's an APIM "field service action" out for mine, so hopefully that will take care of it. I went on a 2 hour trip and the screens went black 5 times.

It's a 2012 with 32k miles.

 

[FordService]

...But now I have a green fluid that sometimes pools. I asked around and the consensus is that this is a power steering leak...

When are you heading back in to the dealership to have this addressed, pratbert? Let me know when you make an appointment and I'll escalate this to your regional customer service manager.

Crystal

 

[orangesoda123]

I honestly don't know what could be green coming from your Explorer. In most cases I'd say its coolant but the coolant in the Explorers is orange. Also, these things don't have power steering fluid as they are fully electric. The only thing I can think of is that your cars coolant was changed (incorrectly) to green and that's leaking from somewhere or that the green fluid is coming from a different vehicle. Open the hood and check the coolant reservoir (passenger side plastic container) and see what color fluid is in there. If its orange then I'd guess the green color isn't coming from your car.


Someone please chime in if I'm wrong about any of this.


EDIT: Anyone know what color the A/C Compressor Oil would be?

 

[182RG]

I asked around and the consensus is that this is a power steering leak.

Electric. No fluid.

 

[182RG]

BTW, the A/C refrigerant has a green dye tracer in it from the factory. Check your A/C compressor and lines.

 

[pratbert]

You learn something new every day! I had no idea there was no power steering fluid. My first reaction was that it was coolant so I checked that right away and mine is the expected orange. So I scratched my head and asked around. Maybe break fluid then? the level is still good though. what other fluids are there? The washer fluid is blue.

This is definitely from my car. Both times I saw it, it was on fresh snow where no other vehicle has been and it was fresh fluid in the snow. For location it is along the center line of the car. I don't really know if it's front or back. Is there anything at the rear of the car that could leak this color?

Both times were when there was enough snow to touch the bottom of the car. not packed but just touching. This morning I also thought I saw a whisp of vapor at the front of the car when I was stopped at a stop sign.

It's winter in NY, so I'd have a hard time seeing any drips overnight with all the sludge and water in my garage.

182RG, I think you hit it! that looks like the green I'm looking for. Like glycol green. I will check it out now that I think I have a direction to look in.

Crystal - thanks! As soon as I figure out when it goes in I'll let you know.

On a side note - it has A3 maps. I know the topic of upgrades has been beaten to death but since it's version A3 is it reasonable to look for a free upgrade? I understand that there was a free upgrade to A4 but we are now up to A6.

 

[blwnsmoke]

If you have a3 maps, you must not have 3.6.2mft. This was the version that fixed many issues including reboots and black screens. Have your dealer upgrade you which will get you an updated nav card.

 

[dco43054]

If you don't know the difference in fluids by color and feel, your best bet is to go get someone who does to inspect the vehicle. Not something to mess with.

 

[pratbert]

Actually I do have sync 3.6.2. the black screen is not on the MFT display but on the instrument cluster displays that show the fuel, engine temp, rpm etc. Don't ask me how I have A3 - that's just how the car came to me. Sounds like with 3.6.2 that it was supposed to have A5 then?

dco - I don't know what you are getting at. I'm trying to gather some expertise here so that I go to the dealer informed. It's still under the limited warranty so there's no chance in hell that I'm going to try to fix it myself. Even out of warranty I don't mess with refrigerant.

 

[peterk9]

I believe the A4 SD navigation card was part of the upgrade to V3.5.1. I believe that you should have at least that card. It looks like the new models are being shipped out with the A5 card. I know A6 is available but I haven't read any posts where the 2015 models are being delivered with it.

Peter

 

[pratbert]

When are you heading back in to the dealership to have this addressed, pratbert? Let me know when you make an appointment and I'll escalate this to your regional customer service manager.

Crystal

Crystal,
I have an appointment for this saturday at 11:00. Same dealer as the PTU oil leak. Thanks!

 

[FordService]

Crystal,
I have an appointment for this saturday at 11:00. Same dealer as the PTU oil leak. Thanks!

Thanks for following up, pratbert. PM me your current mileage and a verification of your best daytime phone number; I'll push this up the line.

Crystal

 

[pratbert]

update:
The saturday appointment was a waste of time. They didn't find the problem and I had to make another appointment. Yesterday I dropped it off and after having it all day they still couldn't find it but they did re-repair the freshly leaking PTU seal and let me know that it may not be fixed until tomorrow if they find out that they need to order parts today. I plan to continue to document this both here and in my own notes because I'm heading towards trying to get the dealer to take the vehicle back and refund my money. I know I don't have any legal basis for it in NY until they fail to fix a recurring problem 3 times (they are at 2 now with the PTU) or it spends more than 15 days at the dealer for repair (today is day 4), but I would hope that they would work with me for a problematic vehicle.

In the 1 month I've had the XLT it has already spent more time in for repair than every car I've owned since 2002, combined.

For the dealer's website (which seems ironic to read right now):

"Our service department is nothing less than top notch. We feature more service bays and Master Certified Ford and Mazda Technicians than any other dealer in the region. For you this means fast, quality service and we do it right the first time!"

 

[blwnsmoke]

Just a couple comments for you.

I understand you bought used and you are frustrated. A seal can go whether 1,000 miles or 100,000 miles. Our 11 Explorer had the PTU go and after that, have had no issues and I'm about to turn 77,000 miles on it. It could be as simple as it being installed incorrectly at the factory, a defect or upon putting together, it didn't seat/seal right.

A seal is not something that will hold up in a lemon law claim (the problem does not substantially impair the value of the car to the consumer - requirement)

Now as far as the blacked out screens on your display. There have been a few posts regarding this same type of issue.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393212

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=345738

The 2nd link I posted, there is a member there who had their instrument cluster replaced and that solved the side screens going black.

 

[DeepBlueSC]

So while I'm late to this party, the picture shows the AC compressor and the green is the dye they use to find AC leaks. What I find odd is that the area where the green is looks to be a place for a connection but there isn't one there and the block on the back of the compressor has both inlet & outlet connections. Try putting the defroster on and watch to see if the compressor runs (It will cycle on/off repeatedly. If not, you know what the leak is/was, if it does cycle Not sure without a hands on approach...

 

[pratbert]

The instrument cluster displays have been fixed. The PTU has been fixed, twice. They found the ac leak and fixed that. In the process they bashed the door in. They will fix that but now the carfax will have an accident reported.

I'm not going to debate lemon law because I hope we don't go there but if the PTU loses its oil and burns itself up, does that not count?

My point is that there should not even be these problems to begin with.

It seems to me that Ford fans accept these things. The previous owner of my car clearly accepted, for 30k miles, instrument screens that go black.

Do I like the xlt? Yes. Will I buy another Ford? Not anytime soon. There are other SUVs that are just as nice. CX9 and Pilot come to mind. XC90 too.

 

[morbid81]

Just my two cents on the matter but it seems these 5th Gen's are problematic vehicles all around, I got less issues with my 17 year old 2nd Gen, guess they aren't built as well as their predcessors were. Anything for Ford to make a buck off the consumer.