Engine overheating?

Tiny
HYPNOTICHUFFMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 146,004 MILES
Hot. I checked the oil its not milky. And water shoots out the coolant res and the heater doesn't wo
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HYPNOTICHUFFMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It only runs hot in drive and reverse
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
A blown head gasket doesnt have to be indicated by milky oil or coolant. That would be my first guess for it shooting as you say it. Fot the heat not working, I just fixed that same car with a garden hose. May possibly be linked if it is a complete blockage. There are two black hoses coming from the firwall, thay go to the heater core, one is in and one is out. It comes from the water pump. Try unplugging both of them, and holding a garden hose on to it, if you can get it to flush freely through the other open end, you either got it unclogged or it wasn't clogged to begin with. Try that first, it won't cost you anything. You can make a fancy fitting, or just plug the black hose into the garden hose and wrap a rag around it if you don't mind possibly getting wet, with a coolant cocktail. Make sure the car isn't hot, unless you like to get burned too.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HYPNOTICHUFFMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I askd a shop they said it sounded like a water pump I hope its not a head gasket I just bought it
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
Could be water pump, how does it feel when you spin it? Is it leaking out the weep hole? You may not be able to tell without removing it. But, you mustn't be driving it until we figure it out, or else it will be the head gasket.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LARRY 35773
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
1998 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

how can you check your thermostat
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGAROFALO
  • MECHANIC
  • 489 POSTS
The best way to test a thermostat is to remove it, and immerse it in hot water. Use a thermometer, immersed in the water. Heat the water until the thermostat opens - usually 180 or 192.

Your overheating problem could come from other causes.

You could be low on coolant
Your cooling fan may not be operating.
Your radiator could be plugged.
Exhaust could ba plugged.
Water pump failure.
Temp gauge not reading accurately, giving a false indication of overheating.

Just a few things that come to mind.

Good luck!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSSPURO
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 110K miles

the reservoir is empty almost every time I open the cap. The antifreeze is brown. And every time I add antifreeze, it steams up somewhere, and the reservoir is again empty. The temperature gage shows that it is very hot. It's almost like the antifreeze from the reservoir is'nt getting into the radiator, which is causing it to overheat.I flushed it last year, and it was fine for awhile, and now it's not holding anything in the reservoir, and everytime I DO open the reservoir cap, steam comes out, and the antifreeze is browner and browner. What could be the problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Sounds to me like you have a blown headgasket and the brown stuff may be oil.

Take off the dipstick and check does the oil appear milky or is there a foamy substance on the oil dipstick or the oil fill cap? Try touching the oil on the hot exhaust manifold, does it boil? Get back to me.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LUKEMCCAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 141,500 MILES
Replaced radiator cap and put in a new 195 degree thermostat after flushing cooling system using Preston tee kit. There was heavy rust and scale in the old thermostat and section of heater hose that was cut out to install the tee. That did not fix the problem. Noted that the electric radiator fans were operational.
Purchased a new Visteon radiator and took it to a shop to have it installed. After it was installed, a mechanic there said that there was a high and low speed to the fan. I had thought there was only one speed. Driving two blocks away from the shop, I had to stop for a red light and I noticed that the temperature was climbing again. I went to the Ford dealer and bought a high speed relay and returned to the shop where they installed it. Outside air temperature that day was 100 degrees. I took it out for a test ride and parked for about five minutes turning the A/C on and off. The temperature gauge was just slightly above mid level, a little higher than when driving 45 mph. Returned to the shop and then the temp started climbing to about the 3/4 mark. The technician plugged an engine diagnostic computer under the dash and the coolant temperature was reading 224. When I turned on the A/C it fluctuated between 224 and 226.
After a few minutes the temp gauge on the dash came down to slightly above the middle but the temp on the diagnostic computer stayed at 224.
The technician theorized that the car may have got too hot when my daughter drove it one time and might have a small leak in the head gasket. Car has full power and no visible steam from exhaust. No water in oil is present. He suggested pouring some engine block sealant in the cooling system to plug up the supposed pin hole leak in the head.
My brother told me to talk to a Ford mechanic to see what the normal operating temperature is and that maybe the temperature gauge is malfunctioning.
When I stopped at a light waiting to get gas, the temp went back up. Later that night, I returned home where the air temperature was about 70 degrees and left the car idling. The needle stayed right in the middle.
I don't know if my car is fixed or not. What should I do now?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGAROFALO
  • MECHANIC
  • 489 POSTS
Verify the operation of the cooling fan(s). Monitor for coolant usage. I STRONGLY recommend NOT using any type of "fixit in a can" products. They may temporarily seal a leak, but will also seal the passages in your new radiator and heater core.

Ford gauges have a bracketed area on the gauge that indicates the normal operating range. As long as the needle stays within the bracketed area, engine temperature is OK.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DONAVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Ford Taurus Front Wheel Drive Automatic

my girlfriend came home the car was overflowing and she said that the inside gueage was not in the hot zone so im thinking it is eighter the water pump or the thermostst what do you think
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check coolant bottle on the side they do crack and cause a leak
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DONAVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Not the prob it was coming from overflow
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
You dont have an overflow bottle its part of the pressurized coolant system
if engine overheat cap will open under pressure and let the coolant out
check thermostat and coolant fan operation
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VIRGINIA BUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 105, OO miles

Last August I bought a '98 Ford Taurus. I didn't drive much until January.

Last month the speed sensor needed to be replaced. Last week 6/5 I had to stop on the way home from work because the radiator was empty. The car temp never got higher than half the safe zone before. I had to have the water pump replaced.

My mechanic told me there is a problem with Taurus engines from '96-'02. They rust from the inside and once thing start going it will be one thing after another and I should start thinking about getting a new car. This IS the new car!

Have you ever heard of this before? Is it real? If so to what extent.
Thank you for your time,
Virginia
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

I don't know the history of these cars, but in general terms, if you keep your cooling system serviced and full of the appropriate coolant you should not have an issue with it.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOB-LYN-BIDWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive

Is the thermostat housing located at the top or bottom of the radiator & if the bottom, is it necessary to remove the plastic "shield" underneath the radiator. Thanks for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
3.0L V6 - VINS [U, 1 & 2] -1998 Ford Taurus

THERMOSTAT

WARNING: NEVER REMOVE THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OR ENGINE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY. TO AVOID HAVING SCALDING HOT COOLANT OR STEAM BLOW OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE, USE EXTREME CARE WHEN REMOVING THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP FROM A HOT COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE. WAIT UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THEN WRAP A THICK CLOTH AROUND THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP AND TURN IT SLOWLY UNTIL PRESSURE BEGINS TO RELEASE. STEP BACK WHILE THE PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. WHEN CERTAIN ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED, PRESS DOWN ON THE PRESSURE CAP (STILL WITH A CLOTH), TURN AND REMOVE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP.
Removal
1. Drain the engine cooling system so that the engine coolant level is below the water thermostat.
2. Raise and support vehicle on hoist.
3. Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the water inlet connection.
4. Remove the two water inlet connection retaining bolts. Remove the water inlet connection.
5. Remove the "O" ring seal and water thermostat from the water thermostat housing. Inspect "O" ring for damage and replace if necessary.
6. If required, remove water thermostat housing retaining bolts, water thermostat housing and "O" ring from lower radiator hose tube. Inspect "O" ring for damage and replace if necessary.
Installation
1. Install the water thermostat, "O" ring, water thermostat housing (if removed) as shown.
2. Install and alternately tighten the retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to specification.
3. Connect the lower radiator hose to the water inlet connection.
4. Lower vehicle.
5. Fill the cooling system using Premium Engine Coolant (green in color), 50/50 mixture. Bleed system
6. Start the engine and check all hoses and connections for leaks. Allow the engine to warm up so that the water thermostat opens. 7. Stop the engine. Top off degas bottle as required to maintain minimum cold fill level.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JTREE68
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 167,000 MILES
I have a ford taurus and it has a radiotor leak, except that when driving the car it does not overheat. The leak is only visible when the car is in park. Any visible signs I should look for?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:17 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links