Coolant leak

DN4192

MEMBER
1998 FORD TAURUS
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
129,500 MILES

My ford taurus has issues. The engine is damaged and is forcing air into the radiator causing a small loss of fluid via the resevior. I have kept a close eye on it and replaced the loss fluid. Then on Saturday I went to check the fluid and forgot to replace the radiator cap and drove the car for about 35-40 miles around town before remembering and putting the cap on. I had to put about a gallon of anti freeze back in to fill it up. But last night I stoped for gas and saw some fluid coming from underneath the radiator. But just that time, as I stopped later nothing and when I got home there was nothing. This morning I drove to work and nothing. What did I do to the radiator driving with the cap off? Why no discharge except at that one stop?

4 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

If its leaking after engine off I would suspect a bad water pump

if cap wasn't on it may be the cause of the leak
I would still have the coolant system pressure checked for leaks
and I would not allow the engine to run hot into the danger zone
good luck

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Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 AT 5:07 PM

DN4192

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86 POSTS

Today before I left for work I added some fluid to the resivor but I think I may have overfilled. Yesterday when it wasn't overfilled I got no leakage, this morning when I got to work it leaked out some fluid. Could the overfill cause the leak?

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Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 AT 10:39 AM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Overfilling will cause leak
as engine heats up coolant level change and expand
if you have overfilled it the fluid has to go some where
and out it goes
I would still have the coolant system pressure check
goo luck

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Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 AT 4:08 PM

DN4192