Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 62000 miles
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I drive Mercury Sable, 1999, and it has about 62000 miles on it. When I use A/C for long time, water has been leaking from the coolant but only when it is parked. I thought it was because of the long A/C usage. However, recently I drove from New York to Dallas, Tx. Water is leaking from coolant heavily every time I stopped. According to a mechanics advise, as I was on the way, I kept the coolant cap very loose, poured water in it every two hours. Everyt time I stopped the water was leaking, but no smoke. The engine heat indicator is showing very normal all through. We reached Dallas four days back, and yesterday as I was on the road, suddenly the accelator was down, I pulled the car aside and stopped the engine. Then the engine did not start. I towed it to mechanic, he said ignition coil to be replaced. He did, and charged $350. When I went to pick up, he said, head gasket is blown and estimated $1700. And then he said water pipe leak, but he is going to do this free. What could be te problem? Was it a gasket blow at all? or is that water pipe leak? I never had water in my oil? and I never had engine starting problem? in fact it was very quick? Do they have to put the ignition coil and charge me $350? Appreciate your kind concern and happy to award $25 award to technician, if I am informed where I could have saved money. Thank you

Cooling fans may have not been comming on for some time. The long trip with it boiling over not good. The guy that told you to keep cap loose was not correct because pressure raises boiling point.
The loss of power and no start is classic head gasket failure. As for the coil that is a little high and wrong you should not need to pay as now he says gasket is blown. The $1700 is about right . I would find a shop that is A.S.E.Certified to be sure you are getting a trained tech and good diaignosis.
Good Luck