Purging coolant

Tiny
HARLEY-E
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
My car needs a coolant flush (rusty film in system) but I need to know if there may be another issue as coolant purges out the cap of the reservoir after the car has been running at temperature for a while. Eventually, it purges enough to cause overheating and more purging. The reservoir is an aftermarket unit with vented cap. Electric fans are functioning but not sure if they are switching on soon enough. Thank you.
Harley
Sunday, September 21st, 2008 AT 11:36 AM

21 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Did you replace the thermostat? if not do so

Read the guide below on draining/flushing the cooling system, it will help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Usually after the engine warms up (thermostat opens) the cooling system will take a"drink" out of the purge canister, the cap may need to be loose for this to happen. If the fans are blowing hot air, the system is most likely full.
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Sunday, September 21st, 2008 AT 11:42 AM
Tiny
JBROSS9130
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  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
I bought a used Ford Taurus Wagon with 180,000 miles. Two days after I got it, the car was leaking radiator fluid and the water was brown and crusty. So I took it to a popular automotive shop. They did a pressure check on the system and said that I had a leak in the water pump and radiator. They said they needed to replace the radiator, water pump, hoses, reservoir and flush the system. I picked it up today and when I got home, I took a look. The water in the reservoir is not crusty but the water is still very dark brown. Should I take it back or will it never be clean again?
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi there,

This is not right, with a a proper flush new radiator you should have no problems, I would be taking it back and asking why it is so.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My vehicle has a coolant leak only when it cold in the morning and that is the only time. Is it the thermostat?
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The best way to figure it out is to rent a coolant pressure tester and pressurize the cooling system and see where it leak's.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It holds pressure, what else do you think
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It could still hold pressure when pumped up with a coolant pressure tester and still have a slow leak.I would put some coolant leak dye in the coolant you will need a uv light to trace where the coolant is leaking.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
XEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
Cooling fan only work with ac on, and it in high speed
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
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This is good this indicated that the fan and the circuits are working. If I am understanding you right the fan doesn't come on at temp but works with the a/c on or the defrost. So you probably have a bad fan temp control switch. Hope this helps and thanks.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BATCAT1234
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
My car leaks antifreeze when I park I put a new radiator hose on it now it's leaking under the radiator side it leak when I park for a minute then it stops
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Hows the radiator cap?Your going have to pressure test the cooling system and see where its leaking.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BATCAT1234
  • MEMBER
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What you mean how is the radiator cap how do I test the coolant pressure
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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If you have a weak radiator cap you could leak coolant after you shut it off if its not holding the correct pressure. Also you can rent a coolant pressure tester at auto zone you hook it where your radiator cap goes and pump up the system to find coolant leaks.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BATCAT1234
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Where's the radiator cap located at on a 2000 ford tarus
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WHITETAURUS00
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
My car is a 2000 Taurus 3.0L engine with approx. 62,000 miles. Recently, I smelled the coolant getting hot, and noticed my temp. Gauge was moving. After letting the engine cool, I checked the coolant level and it appeared to be bone dry. I put coolant in to the fill level, and the next time I drove it, it smelled hot after driving it about 1-2 miles. I got out and saw a stream of coolant leaking out from under my car. It was towed to a local garage, and they told me that a pipe or hose that goes from the engine to the heater core was the source of the leak. However, they did not give me the name of the part or any more information about it. They stated that they had never repaired this on a Taurus and that they did not feel comfortable doing it. They also said it looked like where this pipe or hose is located is going to be difficult to get to. Does this diagnosis sound correct? What is this hose or pipe called? Has anyone else had this problem, and is this something that a Ford dealer has to fix? Any suggestions or help would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you!
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If it's the hose to the block it's got ALL the heater and bypass hoses made up as 1 unit. Expensive!
I think if you are car savy, you could do it.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
I would say have it pressure tested to make sure what it is. It could be the hose from the over flow tank to the radiator or a water pump or even a head gasket as these are known for that. A pressure test will show the leak. If it seems to be a head gasket then have a chemical test done to prove that. Hope this helps.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BATCAT1234
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Head gasket the water is leaking under the radiator side along with the antifreeze. What's a head gasket
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The gasket is the gasket between the the head and the engine block that keeps coolant and compression where it needs to be. If its leak by the radiator again you need to rent a pressure tester kit at auto zone like I suggested before.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TAURI2000
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Installed STEEL SEAL head gasket repair solution, virtually no change. About once a month or 800 miles have to add a gallon of coolant due to overheating, temp way hot. Yes the fans come on in a timely manner. I have a scanner and get no trouble codes. I am an old street rodder and do my own work, what am I missing on this thing?
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 6:04 PM (Merged)

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