What does the coolant light on my Ford dashboard mean?

If the coolant light illuminates on your dashboard, your engine could be overheating. Pull over to a safe area and wait for the engine to cool down. Then, head to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care for a coolant system check.

Is an antifreeze leak dangerous?

Don’t ignore puddles on your driveway or garage floor. If you see a green, bright orange, or pink fluid puddling under your car (it might be sticky, too), it could be antifreeze that’s leaking out of the engine. Antifreeze has a sweet, attractive smell to cats and dogs (and it’s highly toxic to them), so look out for your pets! Repair any leaks as soon as possible, then carefully wash away any remaining fluid that’s left behind on the driveway or garage floor.

When should my Ford Explorer radiator be cleaned?

To keep your Ford Explorer radiator running well, it’s wise to get it cleaned out a few times a year.

Why is my Explorer overheating?

Your Ford Explorer engine could overheat due to low coolant, a clogged radiator, a damaged water pump, a malfunctioning cooling fan, or a faulty thermostat.

What is making my Explorer radiator sound like it’s boiling or rumbling?

Your Explorer’s cooling system could contain air pockets or your radiator might be clogged. Another possibility is a faulty radiator cap, which is an easy fix!

Is rust in my Explorer radiator bad?

Yes. Rust in your Ford Explorer radiator could reduce cooling efficiency, cause leaks, and even lead to radiator failure. Left unchecked, rust can damage the radiator's cooling passages causing small holes or cracks in the radiator. Maintain your radiator system to help prevent rust.

Radiator Service & Repair for 2002 Ford Explorer

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Ford Explorer Radiator Services

Don’t let the heat of the moment – or of your engine – get to your head. Schedule a radiator repair or service for your 2002 Ford Explorer today.

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When to Service Your 2002 Ford Explorer Cooling System

Not sure what a radiator does? That makes it difficult to know when to have your Ford Explorer radiator serviced, but it's still extremely important. As part of your car’s cooling system, your radiator helps keep engine temperature regulated. So, what happens when the radiator isn’t working quite like it should? You guessed it – your engine overheats, and it may even break down completely.

Staying on top of routine radiator maintenance for your 2002 Ford Explorer is a huge factor in the longevity of your engine. To keep your radiator functioning, Ford recommends replacing your antifreeze or coolant at scheduled intervals but it’s also wise to keep an eye out for signs of a failing radiator. Your radiator could be close to causing an engine breakdown if you notice leaking coolant, overheating, or an illuminated low coolant dashboard light. When you experience one or more of these issues, head to your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for a Courtesy Check.

Radiator Repair Service for Your Ford Explorer

What does radiator repair include? When you come to Firestone Complete Auto Care, we’ll begin your radiator repair with an in-depth inspection of the cooling system in your Ford Explorer. Then, we’ll move on to a machine-powered coolant exchange. Finally, we’ll refill the flushed sealants, lubricants and chemicals, then do a pressure check to catch any possible leaks.

If your radiator is acting up, odds are good that your water pump needs to be checked for proper function, too. Some services for your 2002 Ford Explorer engine can wait, but the water pump is one part that you'll want to have repaired or replaced as soon as you discover a problem with it. This vital part keeps coolant moving through the engine, hoses, and radiator. If it’s not working well (or at all), your engine can easily overheat. Let our technicians examine your radiator pumps and hoses to help you stay ahead of any potential engine problems. From the heater core to the radiator cap, we’ll take excellent care of your 2002 Ford Explorer at Firestone Complete Auto Care. Every job we do is backed by our Triple Promise: Fixed Right, Priced Right, Right on Time.

Ford Explorer Radiator Q&A

Take care of your 2002 Ford Explorer radiator and it will last. Check out our top questions and answers about Ford radiators below, and visit your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care at the first sign of an overheating engine.

What does the coolant light on my Ford dashboard mean? If the coolant light illuminates on your dashboard, your engine could be overheating. Pull over to a safe area and wait for the engine to cool down. Then, head to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care for a coolant system check.
Is an antifreeze leak dangerous? Don’t ignore puddles on your driveway or garage floor. If you see a green, bright orange, or pink fluid puddling under your car (it might be sticky, too), it could be antifreeze that’s leaking out of the engine. Antifreeze has a sweet, attractive smell to cats and dogs (and it’s highly toxic to them), so look out for your pets! Repair any leaks as soon as possible, then carefully wash away any remaining fluid that’s left behind on the driveway or garage floor.
When should my Ford Explorer radiator be cleaned? To keep your Ford Explorer radiator running well, it’s wise to get it cleaned out a few times a year.
Why is my Explorer overheating? Your Ford Explorer engine could overheat due to low coolant, a clogged radiator, a damaged water pump, a malfunctioning cooling fan, or a faulty thermostat.
What is making my Explorer radiator sound like it’s boiling or rumbling? Your Explorer’s cooling system could contain air pockets or your radiator might be clogged. Another possibility is a faulty radiator cap, which is an easy fix!
Is rust in my Explorer radiator bad? Yes. Rust in your Ford Explorer radiator could reduce cooling efficiency, cause leaks, and even lead to radiator failure. Left unchecked, rust can damage the radiator's cooling passages causing small holes or cracks in the radiator. Maintain your radiator system to help prevent rust.