1995 Mercury Sable problem (overheating/wont pull water)

Tiny
EXTREME1220
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 MERCURY SABLE
My wife's Sable began overheating on every short trip. The A/C began blowing hot and cold. I replaced the Thermostat, but it still overheats, and now the heater only blows cold. I drained the radiator to flush it, and it never pulled the water out of the reservoir so I could do so, even after draining the radiator and running the engine. I heard it could be a heating core issue, but I was thinking it was the water pump. What is the most likely culprit? Why is the reservoir staying full even though the radiator is empty and hot?
Friday, October 12th, 2007 AT 11:12 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
How bad was the coolant that come out? If it looked like coffee grounds, you need to remove raditor hoses and flush the heck out of this motor and radiator, once you are sure the block runs clear, and the radiator runs clear, you can try flushing that heater core, but I recommend a radiator shop for this one. Then if you still get no water, pull the water pump off and check the impellers, if they are gone (dissolved), Use a voltmeter to check the coolant for any voltage in the cooling system! Ground the negative lead on neg battery post and suspend the positive lead in the coolant, should have no volts! If you have current in the coolant, it will be a matter of tracing the sensor that is leaking!
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Friday, October 12th, 2007 AT 2:00 PM

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