FIXED - Coolant leak near exhaust - Exhaust Pipe Auxillary Heater

[wax87]

Holy crap - I was an ASE certified mechanic 30 years ago. Owned a locksmith company the last 30 years. I can tell you this - you give me the diagnostic tools and reference materials ( not to mention the current techs have a hotline to Ford repair tech ) and I could walk into your dealership and work on a hybrid Maverick. To tell someone " uhhh we dont have a technician trained on hybrids " - They need to go ahead shut the doors and stop working on vehicles. Lame and sad.

and stop selling vehicles that your dealership os not capable of servicing

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[clofan]

To be fair to that dealership, they didn't sell me the mav. I mean, I'm sure they would have, I just happened to go with a different dealer for the order.

Also, I would rather have a certified technician working on the vehicle rather than some untrained greybeard who thinks throwing epoxy at it will be good enough. The part is bad, the part needs to be replaced, for insurance and liability Ford must have a trained service tech to do it.

It's fixed. 1hr45m service. Drove it about 2 hours today, no leaking so far!

 

[wax87]

To be fair to that dealership, they didn't sell me the mav. I mean, I'm sure they would have, I just happened to go with a different dealer for the order.

Also, I would rather have a certified technician working on the vehicle rather than some untrained greybeard who thinks throwing epoxy at it will be good enough. The part is bad, the part needs to be replaced, for insurance and liability Ford must have a trained service tech to do it.

It's fixed. 1hr45m service. Drove it about 2 hours today, no leaking so far!

This old greybeard thought “wrap it in muffler tape until the new part comes in”

 

[cincinnati]

That's exactly how the tech described it. Is it a coincidence that this part failed just after the cold snap where we went from 45* to 8* and I was driving through it! Who knows.. glad to know it's not coolant in the exhaust system.

I believe that I have the same issue ... during a wicked cold day at the end of January, the Check Engine light came on on my hybrid. I made an appointment with the dealer right away but didn't get in for 10 days, during which the light went off and on a couple of times. In the appointment five days ago, the dealer stated that I needed a new Heater Assembly (18K463), but that it was on backorder. They told me I could drive the truck as-is until the part arrived.

I haven't noticed any driveway leaks, and my coolant reservoir under the hood is a little less than halfway between the MIN and MAX right now. I'll watch for leaks and coolant level, though, as it's possible that it's leaking and I just haven't noticed it. Super glad I saw your post!

You mentioned that you called and opened a ticket with Ford, and that they were able to speed up your part delivery ... would you mind sharing the number that you called? I don't love driving around with my check engine light on, that's for sure ...

 

[clofan]

I called 1-800-392-3673 . Got bounced around a few times before landing at the right spot.

My check engine light never came on. Engine temp display never showed abnormally high, either. But that coolant tank was sure empty. I wonder if yours is not opening/closing as expected, and so throwing the CEL? Or another problem that can be detected by computer.

 

[cincinnati]

I called 1-800-392-3673 . Got bounced around a few times before landing at the right spot.

My check engine light never came on. Engine temp display never showed abnormally high, either. But that coolant tank was sure empty. I wonder if yours is not opening/closing as expected, and so throwing the CEL? Or another problem that can be detected by computer.

Thanks. I haven't seen a leak, but it looks like my coolant level in the tank is dropping slowly. I don't know a ton about cars, but I don't want to miss another issue because my CEL is already on for this issue. I'm going to stop by the dealer today to check on the part and ask them to top off the coolant. Appreciate it!

 

[cincinnati]

The dealer kindly topped off the fluid and checked on the status of the part for me. Apparently there's a shipping delay now on the Heater Assembly because Ford is working on a "late engineering change, working on updating this part" (see the report they printed below).

It sound like this might now be a known issue or a design flaw that Ford is correcting. I'll update when I have one. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[ShadowBlack XL440]

The dealer kindly topped off the fluid and checked on the status of the part for me. Apparently there's a shipping delay now on the Heater Assembly because Ford is working on a "late engineering change, working on updating this part" (see the report they printed below).

It sound like this might now be a known issue or a design flaw that Ford is correcting. I'll update when I have one. Anyone else have this issue?

Sounds like a continual potential problem. We all know how short the service life of the exhaust system is, why link desposible parts to a critical operating system like this. There has to be a better and more reliable option. Heat cycles cause cracking, cracking causes leaks, it is going to happen.

 

[OleFordGuy]

Well, think about the society we live in today, so many want to sue for the slightest little thing. Very well could be corporate & dealer lawyers covering the company's ass from a claim that an "untrained" tech electrocuted themself on high voltage wire, etc and OSHA. Can't ya just hear it, buba was told to work on this vehicle, monkeys around grabs high voltage wire, he sues, well judge they didn't train me and I didn't know, now I'm disabled and can't work for the rest of my life, I need a huge monthly check for life..... IMO

Agree with some others, at least the dealership was honest and up front. Probably following Ford and Dealerships rules. And yes, by now they should have someone trained already. But wouldn't surprise me that turnover with tech's might be pretty high in this day and time.

 

[Veer]

I believe that I have the same issue ... during a wicked cold day at the end of January, the Check Engine light came on on my hybrid. I made an appointment with the dealer right away but didn't get in for 10 days, during which the light went off and on a couple of times. In the appointment five days ago, the dealer stated that I needed a new Heater Assembly (18K463), but that it was on backorder. They told me I could drive the truck as-is until the part arrived.

I haven't noticed any driveway leaks, and my coolant reservoir under the hood is a little less than halfway between the MIN and MAX right now. I'll watch for leaks and coolant level, though, as it's possible that it's leaking and I just haven't noticed it. Super glad I saw your post!

You mentioned that you called and opened a ticket with Ford, and that they were able to speed up your part delivery ... would you mind sharing the number that you called? I don't love driving around with my check engine light on, that's for sure ...

Hi, did they replace the heat exchanger? Was the leak easy to find. I am loosing coolant, no smell under the hood. I bought a gal and added 2x. I was hoping to see the leak so I can show the dealer. I have 20k miles and just noticed the coolant was way below the min mark when I was checking the fluids for a long trip. No signs on the dash.

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