Hello Ive got a black 2020 explorer st a few days ago (Concerns)

[MKdude]

It has 66k miles and looks like its been taken care of but the closer I look the more worried I get. It looks like the owner used it on a gravel road frequently. there is gravel dust everywhere inside and out (engine bay) also seems the owner ran it on 87 octane and has aftermarket coolant. when you click the start button for accessorys there is an electronic grinding noise. Does anyone know what this is? Other than that it drives great, power is there and getting a 93 tune shortly.

 

[23 Explorer ST]

Welcome! The clicking or grinding you hear when you turn the switch on or off is normal. Mine does that also.
I run 89 in mine and don’t have any issues.
Sometimes I’ll run 87.
You just won’t get the total power effect running lower octane as you would with 91 or higher and it may decrease the mpg a little running lower octane.
Now if the previous owner put aftermarket coolant back in that meets Fords specs, you should be fine. If not, I would do a complete flush and put the correct stuff back in.


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[MKdude]

Thank you so much! I have a gas station with 93 rignt next to my home so ill just put 93 in it and probably just do a coolant flush. thinking about a catch can also

 

[2020FordRaptor]

It has 66k miles and looks like its been taken care of but the closer I look the more worried I get. It looks like the owner used it on a gravel road frequently. there is gravel dust everywhere inside and out (engine bay) also seems the owner ran it on 87 octane and has aftermarket coolant. when you click the start button for accessorys there is an electronic grinding noise. Does anyone know what this is? Other than that it drives great, power is there and getting a 93 tune shortly.

87 octane is perfectly fine for the car, and Ford states it works fine. If you want optimum performance premium fuel is the best, but it won’t hurt the engine to use 87. The electronic grinding noise is maybe the fuel pump priming, our noise just sounds like belts though. What makes you think it has aftermarket coolant? Even if it is aftermarket coolant it is fine as long as it is the same specs as the Ford one.

 

[MKdude]

Different color from ford motor company coolant.

 

[MKdude]

I also have a concern for the Rear dif. i heard it breaks easily.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I also have a concern for the Rear dif. i heard it breaks easily.

If you have 1 bolt on the rear subframe, don’t launch the car ever unless you want to break it. Get a differential brace if you launch the car at all. If not you don’t need to worry about it.
If you have a 2-bolt subframe you are one of the lucky ones, although not many ‘23 came with them.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Different color from ford motor company coolant.

Did you contact who you bought the car from. Maybe they have service records that will show what coolant it is.

 

[Dale5403]

I also have a concern for the Rear dif. i heard it breaks easily.

On your 2020 Explorer you should have the 2 bolt rear end. I doubt you will an issue with it.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

On your 2020 Explorer you should have the 2 bolt rear end. I doubt you will an issue with it.

Unless he launches a lot like Tyler Clark than he will be fine. IMO I would get a brace even if I have a 2-bolt if I was going to launch even once.

 

[Cajun Heat]

It has 66k miles and looks like its been taken care of but the closer I look the more worried I get. It looks like the owner used it on a gravel road frequently. there is gravel dust everywhere inside and out (engine bay) also seems the owner ran it on 87 octane and has aftermarket coolant. when you click the start button for accessorys there is an electronic grinding noise. Does anyone know what this is? Other than that it drives great, power is there and getting a 93 tune shortly.

Congrats and welcome to the forum.

 

[Cdubya]

Any idea what maintenance/recalls done?

Here are some of the common 2020 issues:
1) downpipe (Cat) exhaust leak (recall), 2) front axle boot leak (both sides), 3) midpipe flex section leak/failure (both sides), 4) front axle disconnect actuator leak, and 5) multiple modules needing firmware updates to correct problems/quirks, 6) axle speed sensor failure, 7) bottom undercarriage flapping from plastic retainers, 8) rear axle spline "TINK!" sound when moving from a standstill, 9) window control "chrome" flaking off, 10) backup camera blue (recall), 11) Sync 22251 issues,(12) AWD module "failure" due to faulty grounding. With a much lesser incidence, trans cooler leak, transmission issue with harsh shifti ng, improper installation of sunroof drains, headlight or taillight condensation.

 

[MKdude]

ok I found last night that there is a hose and a white plastic plug in it below the engine/ transmission. any idie what that is, it was leaking either oil or tm fluid.

 

[MKdude]

I believe all recalls have been done

 

[MKdude]

Congrats and welcome to the forum.

Thank you!

 

[Cdubya]

ok I found last night that there is a hose and a white plastic plug in it below the engine/ transmission. any idie what that is, it was leaking either oil or tm fluid.

post a picture

 

[MKdude]

post a picture

See it?

 

[2020FordRaptor]

View attachment 23029 See it?

I really feel like this stuff you should be talking to whoever you bought the car from.

 

[MKdude]

is this serious?

 

[2020FordRaptor]

is this serious?

A transmission leak is yes serious. On our 2020 the transmission was leaking and it turned out to be a bad transmission gasket. I would let know who you bought it from and ask them to rectify the problem.