Learned a lot by watching this video

[Kozmo]

I got a little paranoid reading the posts in here about the water pump, and I stumbled across this video by a former tech who runs his own garage. I'm guessing many of you are already familiar with this guy, FordTechMakuloco?

Hey Ford! This is Why Your Customers Don't Trust Ford Dealerships to Fix Their Cars!​

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Regardless, I learned a lot watching this. I'm keeping an eye on my coolant level and feeling much less paranoid now.

Eager to hear what you think - is this guy credible? Is it worth looking at any of his other vids?

 

[mguy13sport]

He is the real deal. That video just goes to show you really can't trust anyone... Keep an eye on the coolant level. Mark it with a sharpie when its cold and full. Also peak under and spot check oil pan and ac compressor area for coolant drips. Never put any of that junk in your coolant and only use the properly mixed orange coolant (oem Ford)

 

[Kozmo]

So, now that I have posted this, I see his vids all over these forums.

Well, maybe this additional post will help someone else find this guy. Thanks for your patience with this first-time Ford owner.

 

[94Eddie]

I link to his videos often and they have helped me in diagnosing and completing a lot of repairs. I like that he provides links for the tools and parts he uses in every video. I recommend watching his videos on PTU maintenance since you own a 5th gen Explorer.

 

[JAPeterson]

It is sad but consumers need to educate themselves a little bit on what is going on with their vehicles and or any other thing that they need to hire outside help with to repair.

They don't need to know how to fix the problem but they should know something about it.

I took my Explorer into a dealer to have a TPMS replaced in one of the tires. I explained to them just what it was and wasn't doing. They took it back into the shop and brought it back out after a hour or so. The tech told me that he trained all the tires and that I just needed to drive it a ways to clear the fault. I left and didn't even bother to go back to that dealer. I took it to a second dealer who check the tire pressures with 3 different gauges right in front of me. They then took it back into the shop where a tech trained the tire sensors, I heard the horn honking. The service manager the brought my Explorer back out to me and told me what was going on and that they had to order the sensor. I took it back in a few days later and it was quickly taken care of.

 

[Digitalgp]

We have a huge ongoing multi-page thread regarding water pump issues. Yes there is a weep hole by the alternator that will drip if the pump is starting to go. Fun fact... Ford stopped selling the orange coolant and replaced it with a newly formulated yellow coolant (looks like mountain dew) to try and increase longevity of the internal water pump seals. I agree people should have some kind of knowledge of what they are driving and never put anything in your coolant besides whats supposed to be there. Anywhere you bring your vehicle they are supposed to check it over when you have an oil change done. Problem with the dealers is when you come in for an oil change 9/10 times your getting some hourly paid new lube guy fresh out of school who doesn't know or doesn't care performing your oil change. They are supposed to be supervised by the more experienced techs, but that almost never happens.

 

[Kozmo]

Here's a great post from Ford-Trucks.com explaining the yellow coolant.

Everything You Need to Know about Ford/Motorcraft Yellow Coolant - Ford-Trucks.com

Over the years Ford has used many Motorcraft products and the latest Yellow P-OAT coolant is the most advanced offering so far!

www.ford-trucks.com

I just acquired my 2019 XLT 4WD last week. It has 62K miles and is still running orange coolant. Looks like I'll be flushing and filling with yellow here soon as well as the PTU. I'm semi-mechanically inclined, but I think I'll find a Ford-friendly independent garage to do the PTU work.

 

[peterk9]

................................ I'm semi-mechanically inclined, but I think I'll find a Ford-friendly independent garage to do the PTU work.

Is it just general maintenance on the PTU? If there is an issue with it, it falls under the Powertrain Warranty.

Peter

 

[Kozmo]

Is it just general maintenance on the PTU? If there is an issue with it, it falls under the Powertrain Warranty.

Peter

I'm 62K miles, so out of warranty. No issues yet, but now I'm (probably too) cautious. FordTechMakuloco recommended changing the PTU fluid every 30k. I'll search and read more to see if that's something folks in here are doing and if they've avoided issues because of it.

 

[JAPeterson]

Your problem is that you will never know if they avoided problems with the PTU by changing the fluid or not. Then what about those who change the fluid and then have a problem?

 

[94Eddie]

I'm 62K miles, so out of warranty. No issues yet, but now I'm (probably too) cautious. FordTechMakuloco recommended changing the PTU fluid every 30k. I'll search and read more to see if that's something folks in here are doing and if they've avoided issues because of it.

For most people, changing PTU fluid every 30k miles is once every 2-3 years so it isn't a big expense. Anyone who plans to keep a vehicle for 150k-200k plus miles will benefit from good fluid maintenance.

 

[meisterhyde]

I got a little paranoid reading the posts in here about the water pump, and I stumbled across this video by a former tech who runs his own garage. I'm guessing many of you are already familiar with this guy, FordTechMakuloco?

Hey Ford! This is Why Your Customers Don't Trust Ford Dealerships to Fix Their Cars!​

-

Regardless, I learned a lot watching this. I'm keeping an eye on my coolant level and feeling much less paranoid now.

Eager to hear what you think - is this guy credible? Is it worth looking at any of his other vids?

Yah, he's the real deal. many informative vids.

I watch some of "Ford Boss Me", as he sometimes posts stuff about our EX's, but he's in a Ford Dealership, so a lot of his current vids are regarding newer vehicles. I have not gone back in his video history though.

If anyone has an Edge, like I do (230k miles 2011!), MACTFORDEDGE is pretty useful to watch also.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Your problem is that you will never know if they avoided problems with the PTU by changing the fluid or not. Then what about those who change the fluid and then have a problem?

Like transmissions, I’d bet most fluid changes happen AFTER an issue is noticed and done in a feeble attempt to stave off a rebuild they already need. With how little fluid is in there, I’m certain you’re better off changing it regularly vs letting it cook into grease.

Driven enough, every single PTU will fail. They will fail much sooner under little/poor fluid.