2016 Explorer 2.3L external coolant leak... where from?

[Klutch9]

The past few weeks, my Explorer has been losing coolant. NO, this is not the 3.5L with the troublesome water pump, and NO this isn't the 2.3L headgasket issue. This is an external leak, but I can't see from where. I see coolant all over the pulleys and belts (passenger side) and its being slung around, but I cannot see any leaks on any of the radiator and/or heater hoses. The turbo coolant lines are at the far back of the engine, away from the belts. The reservoir goes from F to L in a week or less, and I drive quite a bit. I've heard some mention of a block heater leak online, but that's more so on the driver's side under the intake. I guess it could spray over there... it's been frigid here lately, so I haven't been able to investigate other than what I can see under the hood with a flashlight. Anybody have any ideas?

The saddest part of this is that I'm using up all my non-2eha Peak 10x coolant with this leak

 

[Trav]

There are a couple of ways to find the leak, first rinse any coolant off the engine then use a cooling system dye and find the leak with a UV light or use a pressure tester or use both. Be sure to check any plastic connections on hoses or components.

 

[Nukeman7]

The reservoir goes from F to L in a week or less, and I drive quite a bit. I've heard some mention of a block heater leak online, but that's more so on the driver's side under the intake. I guess it could spray over there... it's been frigid here lately, so I haven't been able to investigate other than what I can see under the hood with a flashlight. Anybody have any ideas?

There are a couple of ways to find the leak, first rinse any coolant off the engine then use a cooling system dye and find the leak with a UV light or use a pressure tester or use both. Be sure to check any plastic connections on hoses or components.

Like Trav suggested, go to your local Autozone and get the free loaner tool to pressurize the cooling system when cold. They will charge a $250 fully refundable deposit to ensure you will return the tool when the test is completed. Just charge it on a credit card which they will credit back when you return the tool. The Powerbuilt kit at Autozone is complete and has the proper cap adapter for your Ford Explorer.

 

[bullwinkle]

Better yet, use O'Reilly's loaner coolant pressure tester & the Ford adapter-the AZ one is kinda junk!

 

[Klutch9]

I have an uneducated question… what does the pressure tester do? The cooling system is under pressure when at temp isn’t it? Reservoir cap is around 1 bar iirc.

 

[Trav]

I have an uneducated question… what does the pressure tester do? The cooling system is under pressure when at temp isn’t it? Reservoir cap is around 1 bar iirc.

It is but with the pressure tester you can use it cold and start with a lower pressure so you don't have a fully pressurized system shooting hot coolant out, you can also bend the hoses slightly to see if anything is leaking at the joints.

 

[Klutch9]

It is but with the pressure tester you can use it cold and start with a lower pressure so you don't have a fully pressurized system shooting hot coolant out, you can also bend the hoses slightly to see if anything is leaking at the joints.

Yea, but what fun is that?

 

[ctechbob]

Was watching a FordTechMakuloko vid the other day and he was showing how Ford has been using crap crimps on hoses. Give those connections a good looking over to make sure they're not splitting at the crimps.



Yes, I'm aware it isn't the same vehicle or years, but you never know with Ford these days.

 

[super20dan]

more quality parts from ford

 

[Klutch9]

Ended up being the water pump. Thankfully it’s a super easy job on this vehicle. Got a Gates pump for $25 ish bucks, and some extra coolant. New pump seems to be working fine, and I got more than half the coolant replaced which was a nice bonus. Hardest part was that I had to do the repair outside in the cold