Questions about our new 2016 Explorer

[Wes Hawkins]

Hello everyone.
We took delivery of our new 2016 Explorer a few weeks ago and as the auto tech I am, 35 years ASE certified, I have been under, in and over this vehicle. Coming from Dodge's and Jeeps this one is a little different to me not to mention 12 years newer than our jeep we traded in.
I have a few questions. One question I have concerns the water pump and I had my concerns somewhat put to rest on another post but I am curious, where is the weep hole/vent hole for the water pump located? I would hope it is external so you know if it starts to leak.
Second, can you drain the transmission fluid, where is the drain plug? I do not plan on going a 100,000 miles before this is done.
It is a four wheel drive model. Is it all whee drive all the time or is it front wheel or rear wheel drive when in the normal setting?
So far I am really liking this vehicle. Still a little concerned about the water pump but we have the 7 year 70,000 mile warranty but I will still be doing a lot of work on it myself.

 

[Sixonemale]

One question I have concerns the water pump and I had my concerns somewhat put to rest on another post but I am curious, where is the weep hole/vent hole for the water pump located? I would hope it is external so you know if it starts to leak.

I came across this thread in regard to the water pump a while back, but wish I had known the design before I bought the explorer:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424482

It's not an easy repair, unlike a Toyota where the timing belt, pulleys, water pump are replaced every 90,000 miles with engines that easily last 200k to 300k miles.

 

[4FordFamily]

I came across this thread in regard to the water pump a while back, but wish I had known the design before I bought the explorer:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424482

It's not an easy repair, unlike a Toyota where the timing belt, pulleys, water pump are replaced every 90,000 miles with engines that easily last 200k to 300k miles.

I also think many suggested that based on the design it's likely ford made this component more reliable because of the potential of issues. At this stage, all of the concern is largely premature because we don't know how long it lasts nor what will happen to the vast majority of those that do fail, yet. You pick your poison with any car. This car is far from a problem child, IMO and if anyone expects perfection they'll spend their life perpetually disappointed and unhappy.

 

[Wes Hawkins]

4fordfamily
I agree with your statement. I did my research with this purchase and coming from the jeep product line that has issues with it 4.7 & 3.7 engines I found the Ford Explorer over all to have the least amount of chronic drive train problem. At least according to information on Carcomplaints.com. Jeeps on the other hand showed a lot of transmission problems. I don't think this water pump location will be real problem issue, I would just like to be able to see the tell tale signs if it starts to leak. So far we are really liking this vehicle. Head and shoulders above the Jeep Liberty we had.

 

[Napalm]

I wouldn't worry so much about the water pump design and location. It's not ideal from the easy to fix standpoint - but from the design standpoint it fixes a few issues.

They seem to be fairly reliable, and Ford isn't the only one that does this today.

I would however keep tip top on changing the coolant, which you'll probably do anyway.

I do not believe the design has any external weep hole - but as it over pressures or worse seeps through the bearings - it runs internal to the block and I think is towards a return cavity. IE I should never leak coolant from the engine without a gasket failure. I don't know for certain, I've not seen one leak out.

On the AWD - yes they are AWD as in all 4 are powered to some degree all the time. However, IIRC the system is mostly FWD biased to where 80+% of the drive torque goes front with remainder to the rear. Only in extreme slippage will you get more than that, and unless you have the sport model it will never go as far as 50/50.

Transmission drain - This came up in another thread and I believe on the AWD models there is a drain point and the fill port is covered by the airbox or some such. FWD only is probably the same. I swear, but don't recall on my 2016 the drain is behind the trans case facing aft.

However - as I'm sure you've been trained the trans systems are designed to be flushed rather than pan drop and filter replacement. I'm on the fence myself as to what I'll be doing with our explorer.

 

[Bill #5 Explorer]

This is my 5th Explorer (2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 and now 2016). Over 430,000 Explorer miles. Never once had a water pump go out.

I have coolant changed about every 50,000 miles.

Same with trans fluid.

As for your AWD questions, remember, you can use the leftside LED screen, and watch how the system transfers power from the dominant front wheels to the rears as you drive and accelerate, and as road conditions change (rain, snow, ice, gravel) and as you change the Terrain Management settings on the dial.

Enjoy your new Ford!

 

[BadHabit2Break]

This is my 5th Explorer (2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 and now 2016). Over 430,000 Explorer miles. Never once had a water pump go out.

I have coolant changed about every 50,000 miles.

Same with trans fluid.

As for your AWD questions, remember, you can use the leftside LED screen, and watch how the system transfers power from the dominant front wheels to the rears as you drive and accelerate, and as road conditions change (rain, snow, ice, gravel) and as you change the Terrain Management settings on the dial.

Enjoy your new Ford!

I need to read my manual more. i did not know this. I saw the screen change for the AWD and settings, but never driven it with that screen on. Very good info!

 

[Wes Hawkins]

Thanks everyone for commenting on this. We did purchase the extended warranty along with the ford free maintainence program. I will still be doing maintainence more frequently than factory recommendation, especially the engine oil, trams service and especially coolant. Over my 35 years as a tech I think cooling systems are the most neglected systems on cars. I guess I'm just old school but a100,000 miles on a trans service or cooling system service is just to long. I sure ford will follow their recommended intervals and only provide the free service under their interval schedule. That's ok I'll get half of them for free at least. I did read on another post that someone said there is a weep hole for the water pump behind the alternator.

 

[peterk9]

Hello everyone.
We took delivery of our new 2016 Explorer a few weeks ago and as the auto tech I am, 35 years ASE certified, I have been under, in and over this vehicle. Coming from Dodge's and Jeeps this one is a little different to me not to mention 12 years newer than our jeep we traded in.
I have a few questions. One question I have concerns the water pump and I had my concerns somewhat put to rest on another post but I am curious, where is the weep hole/vent hole for the water pump located? I would hope it is external so you know if it starts to leak.
Second, can you drain the transmission fluid, where is the drain plug? I do not plan on going a 100,000 miles before this is done.
It is a four wheel drive model. Is it all whee drive all the time or is it front wheel or rear wheel drive when in the normal setting?
So far I am really liking this vehicle. Still a little concerned about the water pump but we have the 7 year 70,000 mile warranty but I will still be doing a lot of work on it myself.

Congratulations on your new Explorer Base, XLT, Limited, Sport or Platinum.
You can see why it is helpful to have the model and trim level in your profile so it shows in the margin or signature. It also can at times be helpful in addressing any future concerns you may have since not all trims are the same. Happy motoring.

Peter

 

[MikB]

A couple of pics of the water pump and weep hole location. Enjoy.

 

[Wes Hawkins]

MikB
Thanks that was exactly what I was looking for. Good to know its there.

Wes.