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Running hot/AC doesn't cool when idle?

Tiny
LUCINDANWALL
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 101,236 MILES
A few days ago, I pulled up to a friend's house to pick up my daughter. I was only sitting there less than a minute when the AC started to get warm. When I pulled off and got the car ramped back up, it cooled again. I did notice that the temp gauge went up a little, not running completely hot. I cut off the AC and turned on the heat. It went back to normal. (I used to work for a head shop, I know a little, and the tarus heads seem to be the worst to crack) My dad, not a mechanic, said I was probable low on gas in the AC. OK. Maybe, but what is causing the heat? Could it be the thermostat sticking or the fan thermostat? It ran hot completely on me the night I got it when I was sitting at a drive thru, but never did it again. The only work I have had done on it was replacing the fuel filter, fuel pump and a few valves and switches in the fuel system. The dealership did it. Help me figure this out. I am a single mom and unemployed right now. Thanks so much.
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Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 AT 12:26 PM

25 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check if coolant fan coming on start engine and put AC on open hood and check if coolant fan on radiator running they should if not check fuses relay and fan motor. This guide should help us fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-an-overheating-engine

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
NIESHA27
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD TAURUS
2003 Ford Taurus 236000 miles

I have a 2003 ford taurus ses 3.0 engine single overhead cam. For a year it I have had problems with the heat and air. I first noticed a wet spot on the passenger side of the floor board. Then I noticed my temperture gage go middleways and this happened mainly in the winter. In the summer I haven't been able to use my air, because it would go to the h sign when I did. I realize that wasn't the problem because I stopped running my air and the car was still running hot. I had a blown head gasket of which I had repaired, but the problem still exist. I also had my fan straight wired and that didn't help. I've had a termastat put in and nothing seems to help resolve this matter. I don't know what else to do in this situation. I am a single parent and I desperately need my car for work and transporation for my boys. If you have any suggestions please help me out. I'm trying to make my car last until the first of the year and then I can afford to get a more reliable car. Thank You.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Have you had the radiator and engine block flushed? If you have, I have another question. Since you have hot wired the fans, I assume they are working. Also, you replaced the thermostat. The last thing is to flush the system. However, are you sure the reading you get from the temp gauge is correct? Has the coolant ever boiled over?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TONUOFL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
2002 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Automatic 103500 miles

My 2002 Ford Taurus is running hot. While Im driving it goes from between hot and cold on the thermastat and it spikes up to hot within seconds. When it does this I stop the car and after a few minutes I start back up and it is ok. This has happened a few times within the past week. My car has all its fluid. Does anyone know what the problem could be?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Replace the thermostat and go from there
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TONUOFL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Thermostat cost about $25.00 and it takes about 1.5hrs to R/R total costs varies with locations
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,542 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
2002 Ford Taurus Wagon, mileage: 40,000. I noticed the car always ran hot, the needle hovered between the "M" and "A" of NORMAL. The dealer told me not to worry about it. This vehicle has had regular 3,000 mile oil and filter changes. Two weeks ago, the engine developed a very loud clackety-clack sound, so off to the dealership I went. To diagnose the problem, they removed the oil pan and discovered that numbers 2 and 3 rods were "thrown" and that I needed a new block. Disassembly revealed that it was a "broken" wrist pin that caused this problem. Is it possible that the history I have had with head gasket repairs and overheating caused the wrist-pin failure? Can wrist-pin failure be determined without pulling the heads? And, most of all, is it worth it to have the engine block replaced.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,542 POSTS
Based on the information you have given us, we do not see a connection between the previous work and the present engine failure. Wrist pin failure can be determined without pulling the heads. As far as replacing the engine, that is a personal decision based on the overall condition of your car.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCMCKENNA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Hi

The inside of my 2002 ford taurus has a burning rubber smell when the heat is on. It seems to be an intermitten problem, at it's worst when the car is warming up. The car runs fine. I have inspected all rubber hoses and could not find any problems. I am stumped

Thank you
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Start by checking under the hood for leaks
(oil, coolant, tranny, power steering )
valve cover leaking
p/s hose leaking
tranny line or gasket leaking

check the exhaust system and pipe
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-1
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
216CHRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 174,000 MILES
My car is running hot and I dont have any heat, what could the problem be?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Have you checked for coolant leaks? If no leaks replace the thermostat, and flush the cooling system, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
216CHRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks I'll start there.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HAROLDW33
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 109,000 MILES
Car  runs hot after new thermastate installed
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SKYLERHANSON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Check you coolant level, make sure its at the right level. You could have an airlock. Try "burping" the system by flushing it with water. If that doesn't work take it somewhere to have it power flushed because it may also be clogged.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
In addition, make sure the t-stat wasn't replaced up-side-down.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHESSY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 178,000 MILES
2000 Ford Taurus runs hot after about 30 minutes of use. Water pump, radiator, thermostat were replaced. 3.0 motor in the car. 178,000 miles. No smoke from tailpipe, no unusual smells from car/under hood. Can hear fans running when it's idle however to much noise to be able to tell if they are running while driving. Any advice would be appreciated. I was told to flush the engine by a friend but unsure if that will help keep it from running hot. Thank you.
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try flushing it and then bleed the cooling system and see what happens-
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHESSY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for the quick reply. I really hate to ask but is there anyway you can provide step by step instructions to do the flush and bleed?
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Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)

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