Ford Expedition Break down

[BigDTx]

Just wanted to let any other members with an expedition tow vehicle know what I found out the hard way. Blew out the radiator on my 2003 Eddie Bauer 5.4 liter expedition with factory tow package on a trip for the 4th. Broke down in a small town and no one in town had a radiator. Ended up having my expedition and TT towed back home via two wreckers and one large bill. Once back to Houston I called the parts stores and no one had a radiator, everyone told me 3-5 days to get one. Now this is a common truck why is a basic part special order? I called 1-800 radiator who has a shop near me and its in stock for less money than the special order bs I heard. Guy at 1800radiator tells me when I pick up the part that he does a lot of work for the local ford dealer and said the thermostat caused the radiator to fail from over pressure. He was right I took out the old tstat and it was all corroded and stuck. Radiator guy said it happens a lot at 150,000 miles on these 5.4 motors. So you should check your tstat and avoid the problems I had and the expense. Also you will need a special tool to remove the trans cooler lines from the radiator. I tried 4 diff sets of quick release tools before buying a "lisle 39960 Ford trans oil cooler line disconnect Tool" For all 2003 and newer you must use this tool.

[BigDTx]

[SaskCampers]

Thanks for the info and sorry to hear you had so much trouble getting running again.

[MillerTime]

Man that makes for a rough week. Glad you figured it all out!

I work at a large auto dealer and we use 1800radiator all the time. And yes those ford tranny lines are impossible without that special disconect on certain models.

[Smitty3215]

When my superduty still had its 5.4 I went through 4 radiators. They would split across the top tank.

[BigDTx]

Originally Posted by Smitty3215

When my superduty still had its 5.4 I went through 4 radiators. They would split across the top tank.

This one blew out the seal across the front of the top tank where it mates to the core.

[rattleNsmoke]

You have to drain and flush your coolant @ 50k intervals to keep the crud from building up. Ford may or may not use this service interval, but it's good practice.

[BigDTx]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

You have to drain and flush your coolant @ 50k intervals to keep the crud from building up. Ford may or may not use this service interval, but it's good practice.

I went one step further and traded it in on a new F150 4x4 😎

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Danielflading

I went one step further and traded it in on a new F150 4x4 ��

Should have gone 1 more step and got a Silverado 1500 4x4.

[rattleNsmoke]

Good choice. Since it's a tow vehicle, consider using your 'severe duty' maintenance schedule.

[TeresaInCAL]

Originally Posted by Danielflading

I went one step further and traded it in on a new F150 4x4 😎

Good for you! Now you get to have fun!!

[bakken]

Originally Posted by Danielflading

I went one step further and traded it in on a new F150 4x4 ��

At least you used your head and didn't buy a Chev junkpile!
Did you get an EcoBeast?

[BigDTx]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Should have gone 1 more step and got a Silverado 1500 4x4.

Not enough torque in that so I bought a truck with more, Ecoboost 4x4! 😎

[BigDTx]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

Good choice. Since it's a tow vehicle, consider using your 'severe duty' maintenance schedule.

👍 Thanks

[BigDTx]

Originally Posted by TeresaInCAL

Good for you! Now you get to have fun!!

Will do, thanks!

[BigDTx]

Texas Edition!

[TeresaInCAL]

Puuuuurdy!

[iluvlcy]

Thanks for the info! We have pulled our trailer for 3 years with our Expedition and have been pleased with its performance. At 161000 we have made appt. to have temp gauge checked so we can avoid what you went through.

[BigDTx]

Originally Posted by iluvlcy

Thanks for the info! We have pulled our trailer for 3 years with our Expedition and have been pleased with its performance. At 161000 we have made appt. to have temp gauge checked so we can avoid what you went through.

I would recommend having the thermostat replaced and the system flushed out. Then you should be good. It's an easy DIY procedure to replace the tstat. Remove the old one, Then I put the garden hose on the tstat opening, removed the lower rad hose from radiator and turnec on hose and flushed it out. A lot of ugly stuff came out. Hope that helps!