XF Grille Shutter Issue Causing Engine Overheating

Had nearly the same problem with a 2015 XE last summer, so I can share some relevant experience from my thermal management system repair. The symptoms matched exactly, check engine light and higher engine temps due to a malfunctioning grille shutter system. The active air flap was indeed stuck in closed position, restricting proper airflow. After diagnosing, it turned out the flap motor had failed completely. The repair involved: Full diagnostic scan, Removal of front bumper to access the grille shutter assembly, Replacement of the electromechanical actuator, System recalibration Total cost was 590€ for parts and labor. The repair took about 4 hours at the workshop. Since then, engine temps have been normal and the check engine light has stayed off. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Current engine temperature readings, Any unusual noises from the front end, Whether the issue appears worse at idle or highway speeds, If you have access to a diagnostic scanner to check error codes This would help determine if your XF is experiencing the same flap motor failure or possibly a different thermal management issue.

Latest service was 2 months ago at 91000 KM. The car definitely shows similar symptoms. My engine temperature readings fluctuate between normal and slightly elevated, especially during city driving. No unusual noises from the front, but I notice the cooling system working harder at idle. I ran a basic OBD scan showing error code P2008 related to the intake manifold. The active air flap seems completely unresponsive. The cooling fan kicks in more frequently than before, suggesting the thermal management system is compensating for restricted airflow. Would appreciate knowing if your repair included any cooling system inspection or if the shop focused solely on the grille shutter assembly?

Thanks for those details. Yes, my repair process actually involved a thorough check of the entire thermal management system, not just the grille shutter replacement. After seeing your fault code P2008 and symptoms, they match exactly what my XE displayed. The repair shop did a complete cooling system inspection alongside fixing the flap motor issue, which included: Pressure testing the cooling system, checking coolant levels and condition, testing the thermostat operation, Verifying radiator efficiency, Inspecting all cooling fans The root cause was confirmed to be the stuck grille shutter, but the comprehensive check was necessary to ensure no secondary damage occurred from the increased operating temperatures. In my case, the other components checked out fine. The frequent cooling fan activation you mentioned was also present in my case, its a typical response when the thermal management system tries to compensate for the restricted airflow caused by the faulty flap motor. Based on the matching symptoms and fault code, you likely need the same flap motor replacement. The total diagnostic and repair process took one day in my case, and the problem hasnt returned since.

Thanks for sharing that detailed repair experience. Good to know your cooling system inspection was thorough. Based on the matching P2008 code and similar behavior, I feel more confident about the diagnosis now. I will schedule the repair next week and expect them to replace the flap motor along with doing a complete cooling system check. The symptoms are too similar to ignore, especially the air intake issues and frequent cooling fan activation. Since my last service was fairly recent and included a coolant check, hopefully no additional cooling system problems have developed. Will make sure they test the entire thermal management system anyway, just to be safe. Looks like I should budget around 600€ for the repair based on your experience. Glad to know the fix was straightforward and lasting. Will update once the work is completed in case it helps others with similar active air flap problems.