2023 Lincoln Navigator — coolant is old by age but mileage is low
The vehicle has relatively few miles but the coolant is several years old. I am trying to prioritize maintenance by actual risk. Would you replace based on time alone?
36 replies
If it were in my driveway, swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator and see if the fault moves. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Only after sitting overnight so far.
Log the conditions before you spend. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2023 Lincoln Navigator does it — then decide on parts. Save the big job until that test fails. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. If that fails I'll eat the diagnostic fee.
Ask what changed right before it started. Move a coil or plug on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. Save the big job until that test fails. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Two 2023 Lincoln Navigators can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. Save the big job until that test fails. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
Agree — and I'd add this: Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator and see if the fault moves. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I already checked the easy fluid levels.
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. Capture voltage while the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. If that fails I'll eat the diagnostic fee.
If it were in my driveway, move a coil or plug on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in Texas. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
I went back under the 2023 Lincoln Navigator and it only happens after a heat soak, not on a cold start. No warning lights, which is why I'm documenting it.
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Capture voltage while the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. Save the big job until that test fails. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in Texas. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. That's my plan before I call anyone.
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. That's the whole play. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. Heat soak after errands is the other window.
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. Heat soak after errands is the other window.
Ask what changed right before it started. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is losing coolant with no puddle. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. Heat soak after errands is the other window.
It did coolant is old by age but mileage twice this week, both times after sitting. No change in mileage feel. Not driving it hard until I know more.
Log the conditions before you spend. Capture voltage while the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Parking it somewhere I can hear it better next time.
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Two 2023 Lincoln Navigators can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. Save the big job until that test fails. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Cold start is when I can actually reproduce it.
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator and see if the fault moves. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the sequence I'd use. I keep a notes app thread for this now.
Log the conditions before you spend. Capture voltage while the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. Save the big job until that test fails. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in Texas. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. Save the big job until that test fails. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. Only after sitting overnight so far.
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Move a coil or plug on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Heat soak after errands is the other window.
Fair point. Counterpoint: Capture voltage while the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in Texas. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is losing coolant with no puddle. Save the big job until that test fails. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in Texas. No need to make it theatrical. Checking again after work.
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2023 Lincoln Navigator does it — then decide on parts. Save the big job until that test fails. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Cold start is when I can actually reproduce it.
Yes, with one caveat: Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2023 Lincoln Navigator does it — then decide on parts. Save the big job until that test fails. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in Texas. That's the sequence I'd use. I refuse to clear codes until someone else sees them.
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Was this after sitting overnight? Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
Quick add on that: Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator and see if the fault moves. Save the big job until that test fails. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Happens in gear, not in park, for what that's worth.
I went back under the 2023 Lincoln Navigator and it only happens after a heat soak, not on a cold start. Next check is the cheap one I can do in a driveway.
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Heat soak after errands is the other window.
I'd push back a little: A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is losing coolant with no puddle. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
Agree — and I'd add this: Move a coil or plug on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in Texas. That's the sequence I'd use. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. Happens in gear, not in park, for what that's worth.
OP update: scanned the 2023 Lincoln Navigator again and still only have the one pending code, no new lights. I refuse to clear codes until someone else sees them.
Quick add on that: If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. I already checked the easy fluid levels.
I'd push back a little: A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is losing coolant with no puddle. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Make the next action something you can finish this week. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
Yes, with one caveat: Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2023 Lincoln Navigator does it — then decide on parts. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. Not driving it hard until I know more.
Ask what changed right before it started. Two 2023 Lincoln Navigators can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. That's the branch I'd chase this week. No need to make it theatrical. Make the next action something you can finish this week. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. That's the sequence I'd use. Happens in gear, not in park, for what that's worth.
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