Long road trip 1,000 miles

[Gregn]

Hey guys, getting close to 100k miles on my 2013 explorer sport, going on a long trip in a few weeks and am curious as to anything I should check out.

Bought it CPO about 4 years ago and it looks they went through most of the car before I bought it.

Few things I'm concerned about, I've heard about water pump issues on these or is that just the non turbo motors?

Also the dealer told me they dont service the ptu where I have read else where it should have its oil changed.
Any input appreciated

 

[JCat]

100,000 mile road trip ? r i g h t

 

[Gregn]

Sorry auto correct, 100k miles. The road trip is about 900 miles each way, usually 3,000 total

 

[JAPeterson]

Check the fluids fill it up with gas and go.

If you start worrying about what might go wrong you might as well as stay home.

Yes, there is a problem with the water pump, but unless you are ready to wait a week or more to get it replaced go on your trip. Some get a lot of miles past 100K on theirs and some never do have a problem.

On the PTU you would need to change it since most never did have a drain plug attached to it to get the old fluid out. Some say to change it while others don't.

Also just as a FYI, forums like this are a great source of information. But you have to figure that most that come here have a problem with their vehicle. There are thousands out there that never have a problem and have no idea that there is a forum like this out there.

 

[peterk9]

Sorry auto correct, 100k miles. The road trip is about 900 miles each way, usually 3,000 total

Welcome to the Forum.
I believe the water pump issue applies all the V6 engines, turbo or not.

Peter

 

[Gregn]

True, I used to be big into the powerstroke forum i had a 1997 f350, those trucks you could pretty much diagnose by the millage. Many guys had well over 300,000 miles.
This explorer is one of the newer cars I've ever owned

 

[Gary Crist]

If you are worried, rent a car! They are cheap compared with
the worries of break-down.

You can ride in style for a couple of hundred bucks.

 

[94Eddie]

Welcome to the Forum.
I believe the water pump issue applies all the V6 engines, turbo or not.

Peter

The only 3.5L V6 engines exempt from the water pump issue are the ones in Mustangs and F150s. They have an external pump due to them being mounted longitudinally in the engine bay.

 

[peterk9]

The only 3.5L V6 engines exempt from the water pump issue are the ones in Mustangs and F150s. They have an external pump due to them being mounted longitudinally in the engine bay.

I guess I should have specified 'Explorer'. Thought that might have been implied since this is an Explorer forum.

Peter

 

[94Eddie]

Hey guys, getting close to 100 miles on my 2013 explorer sport, going on a long trip in a few weeks and am curious as to anything I should check out.

Bought it CPO about 4 years ago and it looks they went through most of the car before I bought it.

Few things I'm concerned about, I've heard about water pump issues on these or is that just the non turbo motors?

Also the dealer told me they dont service the ptu where I have read else where it should have its oil changed.
Any input appreciated

We have a 2015 Edge with the 3.5L that will be out of warranty soon. I plan to check the coolant level at regular mileage intervals once it expires in the hopes of spotting a slight coolant leak should the pump start going bad. Most will leak slightly before catastrophically failing. On a road trip, I would check the coolant at every gas stop. Even the slightest drop when completely hot or cold is cause for concern. Keep in mind that just because coolant isn't leaking from the exterior weep hole doesn't mean it isn't leaking into the crankcase. As for other items, I always do a complete fluid swap at 100k miles. This includes differentials, transmission, transfer case, coolant, brake fluid, power steering etc. This is just prudent to do if you plan to keep driving the vehicle for another 75k-100k miles. Also, I would change the PTU fluid as this component sits in a tight area that gets a lot of heat from the exhaust and engine. I have seen the fluid in these get as thick as axle grease over time and fail.

 

[BKennedy]

Fixed the title

 

[94Eddie]

I guess I should have specified 'Explorer'. Thought that might have been implied since this is an Explorer forum.

Peter

No ill intended. I am just a moron for spewing details sometimes.

 

[xartic]

I made a 2.5K round trip in my 14 Sport about 3 weeks ago starting at 94k miles. I made sure the fluids were tops, changed oil and checked the braking system.

21.2mpg averaging 68mph on the way there, 22.1mpg averaging 71mph on the way back (loaded my 91 Livernois tune on the way back).

The only 3.5L V6 engines exempt from the water pump issue are the ones in Mustangs and F150s. They have an external pump due to them being mounted longitudinally in the engine bay.

I wasn't aware Mustangs ever had a 3.5L v6 in them. 4.0/3.7 from 05 until they discontinued the v6s.

 

[94Eddie]

I wasn't aware Mustangs ever had a 3.5L v6 in them. 4.0/3.7 from 05 until they discontinued the v6s.

It is the same engine as the 3.5L just stroked out another 0.2 liters. The stroked engine was used in Lincolns, F150s, certain Explorer/Edge models and the Mustang.

 

[Stephen Cannon]

Hey guys, getting close to 100 miles on my 2013 explorer sport, going on a long trip in a few weeks and am curious as to anything I should check out.

Bought it CPO about 4 years ago and it looks they went through most of the car before I bought it.

Few things I'm concerned about, I've heard about water pump issues on these or is that just the non turbo motors?

Also the dealer told me they dont service the ptu where I have read else where it should have its oil changed.
Any input appreciated

To help answer the question better, you need tp give us a little more background of the vehicle? 1000mile road trip but what is the mileage that you are beginning with? 10K, 30K, 75, K, 110K etc......

That said I just took my 2018 Sport for a roughly 2000 mile R/T end of May. Started around 20K and pretty much fuel only. I had a tire Rotation, balance front end alignment and oil change prior to the trip. Aside from that, fuel, checked oil at each end of the trip, (I have a Air Oil Separator), proper tire pressure and brakes released and go. Uneventful trip, checked and drained the Air Oil Separator when I got back about 1/2 teaspoon accumulated for 2000 miles. Smooth, quiet ride, good handling, decent fuel economy...….EPA/marketing numbers were a lit optimistic as compared to real world but decent for the class and size of the vehicle.

Aside from that, get a good undercarriage inspection prior to departure, check fluids and be on your way.

 

[curlywurly]

Have a 2013 Explorer Ltd, last year in June, it had 97k on it, and I took a roadtrip from Oklahoma to Long Beach California and back, it was 3000 mile round trip including detours to Grand Canyon and other sites. This was a tough trip, 6 passenger, car maxed out with luggage, lots of steep hill climbs (Big Bear Lake) and of course, the desert heat, the car made it fine.

We averaged ~20-21mpg.

3 months before the trip I had the coolant flushed and replaced, a long with the transmission fluid, it was due at 100k. I also replaced the serpentine belt.

2 weeks before the trip I changed the oil and filter (Synth), the oil life monitor was at 70%, but due to the harsh conditions of the up and coming trip I changed it out, seemed like the right thing to do.

I did consider renting a car for the trip, but I would have to rent a minivan and they cost considerably more than a sedan, so took all the precautions I could reasonably take and it all worked out fine. Like someone said, if you don't drive your car because constantly worry about it going wrong, then maybe rent a car, but rental cars go wrong as well.

Car now has 105k on it, and still running fine, except for the following

• Front USB socket dead for no reason
• Back up camera grid overlay has stopped working
• Plastic trim on drivers side door handle broke,so it kept falling of (clip had broken), I glued back on

I think, that is all you can really do, well, that a AAA membership!

 

[Gary Crist]

Ford sold lots of 100K warranties knowing what a money
making deal it is for them. Hence, 107K is broken in.
You will have no problems.

I have done your trip more times than I care to remember. I 40
was not done yet! OKC to SD or Orange County..

 

[Satz]

180k here
I do not worry about the pump in mine as its parked in the garage and when I see a drop on the garage floor I will worry about it. Funny thing is I have not changed the coolant even once in 180k...now I am totally not going to .
PS the same .

I did change the plugs at 120k if I remember.i had to remove the top portion of the intake and needed a new gasket . I also once changed the transmission fluid. its very easy . easier than a oil change btw. 100k is nothing on this vehicle. mine even towed a 4k camper around with no tow package for a few years. Now it tows a small motorcycle trailer once in a while.

Backup camera quit at 140k got a cheap ebay one for 20 bucks and even works today. i did loose some blend doors , a few rear bearing might be because of towing .

its just runs.

The transfer case is not easy to service at home , but I have never had any issues even with towing at 180k . There is a youtube video but I think I need a lift to do that.