2008 Ford Explorer

Larryjb · 08-19-2018, 01:46 PM

With my 2002 Tahoe needing a new head, we are using my wifes 2008 4.6 L Explorer. It's not quite as comfortable to sit in, but it's handling the trip well so far. I did have to replace the radiator (common problem) before we left.

Coolant temperatures tended to rise to 105 °C on grades. Even though temperatures could go safely above that, we turned the AC off, heat on and windows open. That usually brought the temperatures right down.

The transmission temperature got up to 219 F on the steepest grade leaving Oregon. Transmission flives [fluid?] takes a long time to cool. I'm pretty sure the Explorer has a separate transmission cooler. other than that, the temperature stayed between 185-200 F.

Padgett · 08-21-2018, 11:34 AM

One key to trans life is to downshift early so transmission can stay in lockup. Generates much less heat than when unlocked.

**Bill** · 08-21-2018, 01:32 PM

Another thing that I discovered on my 2002 and 2006 Explorers (4.6 L, tow package) is that it helps to keep road speed up as high as you are comfortable with. More air through the radiator made a big difference for me, whereas if you creep along, trying to go easy on the engine, there is no air flow except what the fan can provide.

Bill

Larryjb · 08-21-2018, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

Another thing that I discovered on my 2002 and 2006 Explorers (4.6 L, tow package) is that it helps to keep road speed up as high as you are comfortable with. More air through the radiator made a big difference for me, whereas if you creep along, trying to go easy on the engine, there is no air flow except what the fan can provide.

Bill

My experience, especially with transmission temps on the 08 Explorer is not quiet the same, at least with long steep hills like the infamous Grapevine. Perhaps it's the hot ambient temps (35-40 C), but lower gears tenses to raise tranny temps even more. I did, in general, keep my speed up to 45-55 mph. Perhaps I'm paranoid of increasing temps, but I'm not comfortable with coolant temps above 105 C (220 F) so I turn the heat on to keep the temps below that. So far that has worked well. Tranny temps seem harder to control. Faster vehicle and engine speed did not lower tranny temps much.

**dab1950** · 08-22-2018, 06:35 AM

Larry and Bill,

Not sure if it's a Ford thing or not, but the technique of opening windows and
turning on the cabin heater to cool the engine is classic symptoms of a failed
fan clutch on the engine. Been there and done that. Some fan clutches are
the old fluid type, some are electronic but they do fail and that means the fan
does not run at engine rpms and therefore does not pull the needed air through
the radiator.
As far as transmission fluid temps, from my research, fluid temps above 180 F
means the fluid is slowly deteriorating. Larry, I suggest you double check to
make sure your Explorer does in fact have an auxiliary transmission cooler
and have the fluid and filter changed at the same time. Your transmission will
be much happier in the long run.

Hope this helps.

Padgett · 08-22-2018, 03:07 PM

Seems like a lot of confusion just can say I tow differently now than I did in the last century. Back then the best instruments for towing were a vacuum gauge and a coolant temperature gauge. And had to add big tranny coolers because a THM 400 did not have lockup.

Today I have a '12 Jeep that is instrumented out the tailpipe. When towing the TM I limit myself to 65 mph, use the cruise A Lot and while watching coolant, oil, and trans temps, also drive to stay in lockup and out of Performance Enhancement. To do this I monitor the load factors and drop a gear before dropping lockup or entering PE.

My temperatures all are usually between 180 and 190F (180 fast opening thermostat)
and only close on 200F in a hot soak condition (off the I'state and at a stop light - have to watch thermal inertia).

Since am only turning 4800 at 65mph (6400 rpm redline) in second I can drop A Lot of gears without slowing down.

Modern cars have very wide torque bands and the key to both running cool and good MPG (I get 17-18 with the TM in tow) with a gas engine is to stay in lean cruise as much as possible. Even uphill.

br2_wdc · 08-27-2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larryjb

With my 2002 Tahoe needing a new head, we are using my wifes 2008 4.6 L Explorer. It's not quite as comfortable to sit in, but it's handling the trip well so far. I did have to replace the radiator (common problem) before we left.

Coolant temperatures tended to rise to 105 °C on grades. Even though temperatures could go safely above that, we turned the AC off, heat on and windows open. That usually brought the temperatures right down.

The transmission temperature got up to 219 F on the steepest grade leaving Oregon. Transmission flives [fluid?] takes a long time to cool. I'm pretty sure the Explorer has a separate transmission cooler. other than that, the temperature stayed between 185-200 F.

As an owner of a 2008 Ford Explorer V8 Eddie Bauer edition, I can attest to some good news and bad news.

The good news is it was a fantastic tow vehicle for our 3023 for exactly 1 year. The truck had 105k miles on it when I bought it, and did a fantastic job of getting us down to Fort Wilderness at Disney and some other great trips.

The bad news was the transmissions are a weak point, and after 1 year of relative trouble free performance, the truck starting throwing codes and stumbling and stalling. The culprit was the control module for the transmission, and the part ($1500) was back ordered nationally for 30 days (which clearly means I wasn't alone with this issue!). Plus replacing that didn't mean that the transmission itself wasn't an issue, so it was decision time.

I decided to trade it into Carmax while it was running OK, and find something else. I ended up with a 2005 Lexus GX470, and couldn't be happier.

We have a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid that has been fantastic, so I'm disappointed with the Ford Explorer and hope you do not have the same experience as I did.

**Bill** · 08-27-2018, 03:03 PM

FWIW, my 2002 Ford Explorer V-8 Eddie Bauer also lost its transmission, in my case at 160K. As you have observed, it was a common weak point. Until then, it was a great tow vehicle, and I was sad to see it go.

Bill

Larryjb · 08-27-2018, 06:57 PM

I have the 4.6 L version with the 6 speed transmission. What I have heard about it is that it is very reliable as long as you change the tranny fluid frequently.

Larryjb · 08-28-2018, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

FWIW, my 2002 Ford Explorer V-8 Eddie Bauer also lost its transmission, in my case at 160K. As you have observed, it was a common weak point. Until then, it was a great tow vehicle, and I was sad to see it go.

Bill

I'll admit these stories concern me. The other side of the story came from fordmakuloco who is a former Ford tech. But, he did say to drop the pan each year and change the filter. Also, he advised against flushing machines for the 6 speed. I hope I don't become another statistic.