My Explorer Overheated

[dude_3]

Update on overheat and vehicle health report

Currently at dealer, they are performing service to replace fan assembly per TSB 11-7-21, as an fyi TSB 11-5-18 only replaced the module and it was taking 5 hrs+ whereas replacing assembly takes 45 min. They didn't have one in stock but found one from another dealer in area so currently waiting for it's arrival. BTW on the way to dealer I ran the vehicle health report and while waiting in lounge got onto mysync web to view report. Section on overheating extracted below:

~~~~~~<<snip>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The icons below may be illuminated in your dash or console or may appear in your message center. The vehicle diagnostics indicate a parameter that is out of normal range or that a component has failed. Systems within your vehicle need prompt service and/or inspection.
Urgent
Malfunction Indicator Lamp - Regulatory»What Should I Do?
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine. Let the engine cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. If the warning stays on or continues to turn on after the vehicle warms up, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is running or hot.

»What Is Happening?
The Service Engine Soon light indicates the powertrain control module has detected an overheat condition with the cylinder head temperature sensor.

»What Does This Warning Mean?
Service Engine Soon: Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to On board diagnostics (OBD-II) in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter in the Owner's Guide. If the light is blinking, a gasoline engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. See your Owner's Guide for additional information.
~~~~~~<<snip>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[jlrohio]

Hi everyone,

I’m checking in on this thread to offer my help by forwarding the details to the Customer Service Manager in your area. So I can lend a hand, please send a PM with your VIN, contact information, dealer name/state, and approximate mileage.


jlrohio,

Yes, there is a log in the computer for the dealer to check. Please send a PM with the above info so I can assist with getting this resolved.

Cory

Cory,
Did you get my PM last Friday with my VIN and other contact details?

Thinking ahead, last Friday afternoon, I called a local dealer nearby (Cavalier Ford) and spoke to the service department to find out if they had the fans in stock, per the TSB. A lady took my name and phone number and said a service adviser would call me back but as of tonight, no one has called back from that dealer nor any customer service manager in this area.

 

[FordService]

Currently at dealer, they are performing service to replace fan assembly per TSB 11-7-21, as an fyi TSB 11-5-18 only replaced the module and it was taking 5 hrs+ whereas replacing assembly takes 45 min. They didn't have one in stock but found one from another dealer in area so currently waiting for it's arrival...

dude_3,

I wanted to check in to make sure you got this resolved. I’m available to help by forwarding the details to the Customer Service Manager in your region. So I can do this, please send a PM with your contact info, dealer name/state, VIN, and mileage.

Cory,
Did you get my PM last Friday with my VIN and other contact details?...

Yes I did, jlrohio. I was busy with a few PMs before yours; I’ll send a reply as soon as possible.

Cory

 

[jlrohio]

Took my Ex to the Dealer today to look into my overheat condition and to determine why the AC and heat were not working properly.

They found code P0217 (Engine Over Temperature) and P1299 (Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Detected Engine Overheating Condition) in the computer.

They replaced the fan assembly under TSB 11-07-21.

I only hope that the P1299 does not bite me in the azz 5 years from now when a gasket goes from the cylinder head. Guess I need to keep a close eye on the coolant quantity for now on.

 

[jlrohio]

Thought i would throw this question out there again.

I brought it in and they repaired under TSB 11-5-18. Does anyone know what the difference is between that TSB and the one they addressed with you (TSB 11-7-21)?

I'm late with an answer to your question but today I had my fans replaced under TSB 11-07-21.

I was told by the mechanic, as I asked him about both TSB #'s, that TSB 11-5-18 was superseded by TSB 11-07-21. This was clearly listed on his computer screen as he pointed it out to me.

 

[Fab]

I'm late with an answer to your question but today I had my fans replaced under TSB 11-07-21.

I was told by the mechanic, as I asked him about both TSB #'s, that TSB 11-5-18 was superseded by TSB 11-07-21. This was clearly listed on his computer screen as he pointed it out to me.

Thanks so much for the response/information. Does anyone know if the differences between the two TSB's warrants me taking it back to the dealer.......or would you only bring it back if i experience the problem with the overheating/air conditioner again?

 

[jmcnich]

Overheated

I just had my 2011 Ford Explorer towed in for repairs. I had it taken in yesterday for an oil change and 20,000 mile check up. They said that everything looked perfect. The Ford Audio system needed to be upgraded, but the person at service reccomended that I install the upgrade myself. The upgraded was suppose to take 1 hour, but the car overheated and radiator fluid exploded everywhere.

Here is my question...

Has anyone had the fans replaced and the problem has continued or have the upgraded fans resolved the problem?

My service guy said that if the upgraded fans do not resolve the problem he would expect an engine recall on the 2011 Explorer.

 

[peterk9]

I just had my 2011 Ford Explorer towed in for repairs. I had it taken in yesterday for an oil change and 20,000 mile check up. They said that everything looked perfect. The Ford Audio system needed to be upgraded, but the person at service reccomended that I install the upgrade myself. The upgraded was suppose to take 1 hour, but the car overheated and radiator fluid exploded everywhere.

Here is my question...

Has anyone had the fans replaced and the problem has continued or have the upgraded fans resolved the problem?

My service guy said that if the upgraded fans do not resolve the problem he would expect an engine recall on the 2011 Explorer.

Welcome to the Forum jmcnich. :wavey:
Not sure what you mean by Ford Audio system. Are you talking about the MyFord Touch (MFT) performance upgrade?
Did you log into www.syncmyride.com and see what it said about your upgrade? I have a 2011 Feb. build, Limited and syncmyride shows that the dealer has to perform the upgrade. It seems that one reason for this is so that the fans can be set to run at high speed to prevent overheating during the update period.
I would be very surprised if there was an engine recall. The engine is fine, it's the cooling fans that have been the problem.

Peter

 

[jmcnich]

Welcome to the Forum jmcnich. :wavey:
Not sure what you mean by Ford Audio system. Are you talking about the MyFord Touch (MFT) performance upgrade?
Did you log into www.syncmyride.com and see what it said about your upgrade? I have a 2011 Feb. build, Limited and syncmyride shows that the dealer has to perform the upgrade. It seems that one reason for this is so that the fans can be set to run at high speed to prevent overheating during the update period.
I would be very surprised if there was an engine recall. The engine is fine, it's the cooling fans that have been the problem.

Peter

Yes. I meant the MyTouch system. He suggested that I complete the upgrade on my own, because he said it would take several hours at the dealership. The upgrade is pretty simple, just insert the memory stick, but obviously I ran into problems with the car overheating. I am wondering if the replacement fans are also failing? This is what the service mechanic seemed to be hinting at. If this is the case...it appears to be a more significant problem then just the fans. He made it seem as tho something was wrong with the engine or computer in the 2011 Explorer?? Not sure if there is any truth to this. Anyhow, they probably should not have suggested that I go ahead and do the upgrade to MyTouch at home...knowing that the cars are overgeating.

 

[peterk9]

Yes. I meant the MyTouch system. He suggested that I complete the upgrade on my own, because he said it would take several hours at the dealership. The upgrade is pretty simple, just insert the memory stick, but obviously I ran into problems with the car overheating. I am wondering if the replacement fans are also failing? This is what the service mechanic seemed to be hinting at. If this is the case...it appears to be a more significant problem then just the fans. He made it seem as tho something was wrong with the engine or computer in the 2011 Explorer?? Not sure if there is any truth to this. Anyhow, they probably should not have suggested that I go ahead and do the upgrade to MyTouch at home...knowing that the cars are overgeating.

If syncmyride said to take it to the dealer, part of the reason was because they then set the fans to run at a higher speed during the install. If you received the USB stick in the mail so that you can do it yourself, then you definitely have a fan issue.

Peter

 

[jmcnich]

If syncmyride said to take it to the dealer, part of the reason was because they then set the fans to run at a higher speed during the install. If you received the USB stick in the mail so that you can do it yourself, then you definitely have a fan issue.

Peter

Stick came in the mail. Who is responsible if permenant engine damage was done...due to overheating? Dealer or Ford? Also, has anyone had a second (replacement) fan go out or are they working fine once replaced.

 

[peterk9]

Stick came in the mail. Who is responsible if permenant engine damage was done...due to overheating? Dealer or Ford? Also, has anyone had a second (replacement) fan go out or are they working fine once replaced.

The Explorer come with a Fail Safe Cooling feature. If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder will act as an air pump to cool the engine. If continued operation of the engine causes the temperature to increase, the engine will completely shut down. It can be restarted once it has cooled off.
This should not cause permanent damage to the engine but I would certainly have the dealer check it out and note it in your file.

Peter

 

[new to ford]

jmcinch:

What is you 2011 explorer build date?

You said you got the USB in the mail from FORD and it overheated while you did the update?

Sorry to hear about your mishap.

 

[new to ford]

The Explorer come with a Fail Safe Cooling feature. If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder will act as an air pump to cool the engine. If continued operation of the engine causes the temperature to increase, the engine will completely shut down. It can be restarted once it has cooled off.
This should not cause permanent damage to the engine but I would certainly have the dealer check it out and note it in your file.

Peter

Peter, I can't trust a "Fail Safe Cooling " feature to work properly when the fans don't work even work properly to begin with when they are supposed to!

 

[jmcnich]

jmcinch:

What is you 2011 explorer build date?

You said you got the USB in the mail from FORD and it overheated while you did the update?

Sorry to hear about your mishap.

Do not have the info available right now, but I purchased it in May 2011 and it rolled right off the line. I picked it up the day it got to the dealership.

 

[peterk9]

Peter, I can't trust a "Fail Safe Cooling " feature to work properly when the fans don't work even work properly to begin with when they are supposed to!

Maybe Ford was being proactive by installing this system knowing the cooling fans were going to be a problem.

Peter

 

[jlrohio]

Here is my question...

Has anyone had the fans replaced and the problem has continued or have the upgraded fans resolved the problem?

My service guy said that if the upgraded fans do not resolve the problem he would expect an engine recall on the 2011 Explorer.

YES, According to this thread (Click Here) started by harmsangha, they have gone through THREE cooling fans!!!

I am only on my 2nd cooling fan currently and it "appears" to be ok (but it's only been a week!)


I see some interesting comments about the dealership able to run the fan at higher speed during the upgrade to ensure no overheating...I wonder if Ford "knows" about this problem in a certain batch of engines/build dates and that is why some of us never received our "MyFordTouch" upgrade package in the mail (i.e. Ford may have known in advance that this upgrade would lead to multiple overheat issues). Also, for those of us who did NOT get the MFT upgrade in the mail...other than knowing online to check - I'll bet 95% of MFT owners with the "problem engines" will never get any notice in the mail, nor know about the upgrade and thus Ford knows that a lot of vehicles won't be experiencing overheating issues while sitting in their driveways! (Ignore the man behind the curtain!) :thumbdwn:

 

[JDraper]

I had my cooling fans replaced last summer and have had zero problems with cooling.

 

[peterk9]

Just had my performance update done, on the Explorer that is, and it never came close to overheating. Update was 11A02D.

Peter

 

[aggie76]

Just found this thread after finding issue this evening.

Took spouse out to dinner and stopped to let her pick up an item and noticed A/C blowing warm air at idle. Asked about it upon her return and she said it had done similar earlier but began blowing cold so just ignored it.

Will be calling dealer in a.m. to arrange appointment, we have not received a letter on the SB. We had MFT upgrade about 2 months ago.