Engine overheating?

Tiny
CMOLEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 230,000 MILES
I can't figure this out we just changed the thermostat and the radiator cap and also the head gaskets and today again the car over heated I dont know whats wrong? Please help
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 AT 1:11 PM

42 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check If cooling fan(s) operates at all speeds, check for other causes of overheating symptom (internal engine problems, excessive vehicle load, transmission overheating, brake drag or faulty gauge/sender).

This guide can help us

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
LISSA11670
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 149,000 MILES
I have a 1998 taurus dohc that over heats when you put it in gear or turn on the a/c then stalls. We changed the thermastat but that wasn't it. Was told it could be water pump or blown headgasket. It also does not leak water frem anywhere that we can see.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
1st check and make sure coolant system full and not low
start and run engine, put A/C on
does the coolant fan run
if not check fuses and relay and fan operation
if fan run and engine still overheat
have to check if water pump pushing and circulating the coolant through the system,
put the heater on do you have heat
does that help in cooling down the engine
let me know
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KLTY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,500 MILES
My 98 Taurus started to run hot when idle or at low speeds after several minutes. I had thermostat changed, radiator flushed, sensor replaced, pressure tested ok. After flush and fill heater stopped getting hot and coolant flows out from bottle when car overheats. I have an O2 sensor out. Can this have anything to do with it or what else could be the problem? (Only hot at low speeds or idle after running several minutes) What should I fix next?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Is your fan coming On and also did you bleed the cooling system.

Take the Stat out and see what happens.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KLTY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I will try with stat out. Also was not bled. Will try. Thx
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ED ARMES
  • MECHANIC
  • 129 POSTS
Ford had problems with water pump impellors failing. ( Especially 3.0 V6 ). They corrode to the point that the impellor looses its fins, becomes a flat plate and no longer pushes water. Cannot tell from the outside of the pump that there is a problem. This stops water flow through the engine and causes overheating, no heater function and blown head gaskets. Condition usually accelerates to worst condition in short time. :Shock:
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EIAFRJD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 164,000 MILES
Hi, My Taurus keeps over heating. I have changed the thermostat, but after I drive for about twenty miles the coolent starts coming out around the cap on the holding tank. There is no visible leaks in any of the hoses. Can someone please help me with this problem.

Thank you,

Jack
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
You have already done the thermostat
filled and top fluid level
next step to check if fans coming on when needed and when AC on
check if coolant flowing and the water pump doing its job
do a head gasket test

good luck

*****************************************
need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EIAFRJD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I've done a presure check to see if I have a blown head gasket, and it checked out alright. I am getting presure in my upper hoses so I assumed the water pump is working. Can the cap on the holding tank go bad?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
If the car is not overheating yet its over flowing by the cap
sure suspect cap
but if its overheating pressure in upper hose does not mean water pump working
and a pressure test will show if you have a leak but will not tell if headgasket no good
headgasket test kit should be used to determine for sure if gasket good or not
hope that helps
good luck
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAMASTANZA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 155k miles

Hello, I have a 98 ford taurus se 3.0l. That my wife bought from her girlfriend at work for our son. It has around 155k on it. But there is an issue with the cooling system on it.

The car over heats and the overflow starts to boil when the car is at a standstill (i.E. Traffic, street lights, etc.) For a short time, but it starts to go back to normal when air starts to flow through the radiator when the car moves. I figured it might be a faulty thermostat, so I bought new radiator hoses, a thermostat, and a new thermostat housing since there was a small piece that was chipped off where the hose connects to.

So when I removed the upper hose & thermostat housing, I was shocked to see that there was NO thermostat there, AND the fluid was brown and gunky. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, the heat doesn't work either. I put in the thermostat, housing & hoses, and brought the car down to Jiffy Lube for a power flush, and after they flushed it twice, but air was constatntly coming out of the overflow, too much so thay they said it might be the water pump. Do you agree? Thanks, Eric
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
That statement there tells me that someone has put a chemical stop leak in it.

Maybe they were trying to fix a head gasket problem, maybe it was a problem with a leaking radiator or heater core.

Let's check for a plugged up radiator first.
Fill the system up and start the car.

Once the cooling fan kicks on touch the hoses going to the radiator, the one going to the water pump should be a lot cooler than the one coming from the thermostat housing.

If it's not, then the radiator is plugged up.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAMASTANZA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the reply.I'll try that hose temp feel, but even when they did a reverse flow flush, you still think it might be a clogged radiator?

If the temp of the lower hose is cooler than the upper, what would you think it might be next? I did the oil change, and didn't see any antifreeze when draining, and there is no white smoke coming out of the exhaust. Could you think it's still be a head gasket problem?

I like what you said about the fix-a-leak possibly being the goop.I wonder if the heater core was leaking when they owned it, and they put that crap in, and now it's freaking clogged the whole cirulation.

I have that Prestone super cleaner in my cabinet, but would that help even if they did a power flush? I was thinking that this cleaner might free up some crap that the power flush didn't get. What are your thoughts?

Thanks,

Eric
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
APERRADO
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 250.00 miles

my ford overheating when I drive in town I changed the thermostat and the problem still
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

Have the cooling system pressure tested for external leaks, also check the pressure cap. Have the radiator cleaned & flow tested, make sure any cooling fans are working correctly, Ensure the system is bleed of air and if still the problem persists have a head check done to determine if you have a head gasket issue.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMCNOMAD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I replaced the upper radeator hose that has a plastic "Y" in it. It goes to to each side of the motor, and the Y opening goes to the radeator. There is a small hose in the side of the y that goes to the coolent resavor. Anyway, it wont stop overheating as soon as I start and warm it up. I have NO water in the oil, NO oil in water. And NO water coming out the exaust pipe. Can there be a air pocket in the system and if so how do I fix it. Hopefully without removing the thermostat, which I don`t have a clue where it is. Thanks
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Thermostat location follow the large top radiator hose to the engin block. It connects to a little dome-shaped fitting held on by three bolts. The thermostat is under it. Be sure to replace the gasket (after completely removing the old gasket whe you replace the thermostat

BLEEDING COOLING SYSTEM

Always bleed air from cooling system after replacing coolant. Set heater for maximum heat. Remove radiator cap. Loosen drain plug and remove drain bolt (if equipped) from engine block. Drain coolant reservoir. Fill coolant reservoir to MAX mark with 50/50 water-coolant mixture. Loosen bleed bolt and fill radiator up to base of filler neck. Close bleed bolt when coolant flows out without bubbles. Tighten bleed bolt. With radiator cap removed, start and operate engine to normal operating temperature. Add coolant if necessary and check for leaks.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EDGERTON1981
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I have a 98 Ford Taurus 3.0 OHV. The car is overheating, so I changed the thermostat and am trying to do a radiator flush beacause the water is VERY rusty, but when I open the drain plug nothing comes out, at all. And when I fill the resevoir the water/coolant doesnt go any farther than that. Whats wrong? And what do I do to fix the problem?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
You're cooling system is a disaster. It's going to need to chemicals and multiple flushing to get some of that crud out and then it's going to uncover some new leaks as it gets cleaned out. It's almost impossible to completely recover from a system when that happens.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:33 AM (Merged)

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