2021 Ford Explorer Cooling System Parts

This table covers the engine coolants and antifreeze formulations specified for this cooling system. Typical signs include a rising temperature gauge, rusty or sludged coolant, or a heater that blows cold. Use the chemistry named in the notes. Mixing silicate, OAT and HOAT formulas can gel in the radiator. Read more

14 Coolant / Antifreeze parts are listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer, from PRESTONE, PEAK, VALVOLINE and 2 other brands. PRESTONE AF3100 carries the "Popular" badge. 12 parts fit every engine; the other 2 are engine-specific.

The Compatible With All Colors section lists 1 option from PRESTONE — grouped under the catalog's "Compatible With All Colors" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. PRESTONE AF3055 is listed in this group.

In the Economy grade, PRESTONE, PEAK and VALVOLINE supply 3 parts: the catalog's value-priced group. A representative part number is PRESTONE AF3100.

The Heavy Duty section lists 1 option from PRESTONE — rated for severe service. PRESTONE AFC12100 is listed in this group.

The Premium section lists 5 options from PRESTONE and PEAK — a step above OE specification in materials, tolerances or warranty terms. PRESTONE AF2100 is listed in this group.

The Standard Replacement section lists 4 options from MOTORCRAFT, AISIN and VALVOLINE — built to original-equipment specification. MOTORCRAFT VC13G is listed in this group.

This table covers the hard pipes and extra hoses in the coolant circuit. Read more

16 Coolant Hose / Pipe parts are listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer, from MOTORCRAFT and GATES. MOTORCRAFT KM7964 carries the "Popular" badge. 2 parts fit every engine; the other 14 are engine-specific.

This table covers the seals at the Coolant Hose / Pipe. Typical signs include a wet housing, a drip after sitting, or fluid flung off a rotating shaft. Fix the surface the seal rides on. A new seal on a grooved shaft will leak again. Read more

8 Coolant Hose / Pipe Seal parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 6 brands — FEL-PRO, APEX, DORMAN and 3 other brands.

This group includes APEX AWO2394, DORMAN 47450 and FEL-PRO 36046 and the remaining parts above.

This table covers the overflow / expansion tanks that hold extra coolant. Read more

4 Coolant Reservoir parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 3 brands — TECHPRO, DORMAN and VARIOUS MFR. Every part fits all 4 engine options (2.3L L4 Turbocharged, 3.0L V6 Turbocharged, 3.3L V6 and 3.3L V6 ELECTRIC/GAS).

Listed part numbers: DORMAN 603222, TECHPRO FO3014175 and TECHPRO FO3014176, plus the other parts above.

This table covers the caps on the overflow / expansion tank. Typical signs include a leak at the neck, a cap that will not hold pressure, or a missing tether. Match the pressure rating or thread in the notes — radiator, reservoir and fuel caps are not interchangeable. Read more

5 Coolant Reservoir Cap parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 5 brands — MOTORAD, CALORSTAT, GATES and 2 other brands. The "Popular" part is MOTORAD T57. 4 parts fit every engine; the other 1 is engine-specific.

This group includes MOTORAD T57, CALORSTAT RC0150 and GATES 31549 and the remaining parts above.

This table covers the Coolant Reservoir retainers and clips. Read more

One part is listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer — DORMAN 963249D.

This table covers the adapters used to pressure-test this cooling system. Read more

One part is listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer — MOTORAD 3043.

This table covers the intercoolers that cool turbo or supercharger charge air. Read more

4 Intercooler parts are listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer, from GPD, MOTORCRAFT, TECHPRO and 1 other brand. 1 part fits every engine; the other 3 are engine-specific.

This group includes GPD 2711564, MOTORCRAFT INTCO23 and TECHPRO FO3012132 and the remaining parts above.

This table covers the Intercooler Air Hose pipes. Read more

GATES supplies the 3 Intercooler Air Hose / Pipe parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer.

This group includes GATES 29042, GATES 29030 and GATES 29031.

This table covers the radiators that dump engine heat to airflow through the core. Typical signs include overheating in traffic, a wet core, or coolant that disappears with no puddle. Replace the cap if it cannot hold the rated pressure, and bleed the system after the swap. Read more

14 Radiator parts are listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer, from MOTORCRAFT, GPD, TYC and 5 other brands. CSF 3940 carries the "Popular" badge. 3 parts fit every engine; the other 11 are engine-specific.

Economy: 2 parts, from GPD. A representative part number is GPD 13853C.

The Standard Replacement section: 12 options from MOTORCRAFT, TYC, SPECTRA PREMIUM and 4 other brands. CSF 3940 is listed in this group.

This table covers the caps that hold system pressure at the radiator or reservoir neck. Typical signs include a leak at the neck, a cap that will not hold pressure, or a missing tether. Match the pressure rating or thread in the notes — radiator, reservoir and fuel caps are not interchangeable. Read more

One part is listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer — MOTORCRAFT RS531.

This table covers the fan assemblies (and clutches, where listed) that pull air through the radiator. Read more

11 Radiator Fan Assembly parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 8 brands — TECHPRO, MOTORCRAFT, SKP and 5 other brands. The "Popular" part is SKP SK76169. 2 parts fit every engine; the other 9 are engine-specific.

The Economy section: 5 options from TECHPRO, SKP and GPD. SKP SK76169 is listed in this group.

Standard Replacement: 6 parts, from MOTORCRAFT, TYC, AGILITY and 2 other brands. A representative part number is MOTORCRAFT RF862.

This table covers the upper, lower and connecting hoses between radiator, engine and reservoir. Typical signs include swelling, cracks, a soft spot, or a leak at a clamp. Replace adjacent aged hoses while the system is drained — they share the same heat cycle. Read more

21 Radiator Hose parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 2 brands — MOTORCRAFT and GATES. The "Popular" part is GATES 52479.

This table covers the Shroud Trim retainers and clips. Read more

One part is listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer — DORMAN 963249D.

This table covers the senders that report coolant temperature to the gauge or ECU. Typical signs include a gauge that sits on empty or overheat, or a lamp that does not match what the engine is doing. Rule out the cluster and the wiring before replacing the sender. Read more

14 Temperature Sender / Sensor parts are listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer, from GPD, MOTORCRAFT, HOLSTEIN and 4 other brands. GPD 1712551 carries the "Popular" badge.

Economy: 5 parts, from GPD and HOLSTEIN. A representative part number is GPD 1712551.

The Standard Replacement section: 9 options from MOTORCRAFT, STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, WALKER PRODUCTS and 2 other brands. MOTORCRAFT DY1613 is listed in this group.

This table covers the thermostats that open the coolant circuit at the specified temperature. Typical signs include slow warm-up, a gauge that climbs in traffic, or heat that never quite arrives. Replace the housing gasket with the thermostat and bleed the system so a trapped air pocket does not cook the new part. Read more

23 Thermostat parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 5 brands — MOTORAD, MOTORCRAFT, AISIN and 2 other brands. The "Popular" part is MOTORAD 655170.

Heavy Duty: 2 parts, from MOTORAD. A representative part number is MOTORAD 5655188.

The Performance section lists 3 options from MOTORAD — engineered beyond original-equipment specification. MOTORAD 2655188 is listed in this group.

Premium: 1 part, from MOTORAD. A representative part number is MOTORAD 7655188.

Standard Replacement: 15 parts, from MOTORAD, MOTORCRAFT, AISIN and 2 other brands. A representative part number is MOTORAD 655170.

2 further parts sit outside the graded sections, with the same engine-level match.

This table covers the seals at the thermostat housing and water outlet. Typical signs include a wet housing, a drip after sitting, or fluid flung off a rotating shaft. Fix the surface the seal rides on. A new seal on a grooved shaft will leak again. Read more

17 Thermostat / Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet Seal parts are listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer, from FEL-PRO, MAHLE / CLEVITE, MOTORCRAFT and 3 other brands. FEL-PRO 35839 carries the "Popular" badge.

This table covers the housings and outlets the thermostat sits in. Read more

12 Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 6 brands — MOTORCRAFT, DORMAN, FOUR SEASONS and 3 other brands. The "Popular" part is DORMAN 9021121.

The Economy section: 3 options from DORMAN and VEMO. DORMAN 9021121 is listed in this group.

Standard Replacement: 3 parts, from FOUR SEASONS, MOTORAD and MOTORCRAFT. A representative part number is FOUR SEASONS 86016.

6 further parts sit outside the graded sections, with the same engine-level match.

This table covers the pumps that circulate coolant through the block and radiator. Typical signs include coolant at the weep hole, pulley play, or a growl from the front of the engine. Replace the thermostat and refill with the specified coolant whenever the pump comes off. Read more

18 Water Pump parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 8 brands — FVP, GMB, MOTORCRAFT and 5 other brands. The "Popular" part is GATES 41228.

The Economy section: 4 options from FVP, US MOTOR WORKS and WJB / INMOTION PARTS. FVP US8200 is listed in this group.

Standard Replacement: 13 parts, from GMB, MOTORCRAFT, FVP and 3 other brands. A representative part number is GATES 41228.

1 further part sits outside the graded sections, with the same engine-level match.

This table covers the gaskets between the water pump and the block or housing. Typical signs include seepage at the joint, a burnt-oil smell, or a leak that appears only after a long drive. Clean both flanges and torque in the sequence the notes or the manual call for. Read more

7 Water Pump Gasket parts are listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer, from MAHLE / CLEVITE, FEL-PRO and APEX. FEL-PRO 35990 carries the "Popular" badge.

Part numbers include FEL-PRO 35990, APEX AWP3266 and APEX AWP3267, among others listed above.

This table covers the Water Pump housings. Read more

One part is listed for the 2021 Ford Explorer — MOTORAD CH3103.

This table covers the Water Pump Seal O-rings. Typical signs include a seep at a fitting or a housing that weeps after a service. Lube the new O-ring with the fluid it will see, and do not roll it into the groove. Read more

3 Water Pump Seal / O-Ring parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer come from 2 brands — FEL-PRO and MAHLE / CLEVITE.

This group includes FEL-PRO 36118, FEL-PRO 36082 and MAHLE / CLEVITE K32787.