1997 Mercury Sable leaking coolant from under radiator cap

Tiny
RICH120865
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
I posted earlier this week about coolant coming out from under the cap of the coolant recovery tank and the mechanic that answered said he was almost certain it was a bad thermostat. Well I replaced the thermostat and it is still doing the same thing. The fans come on as usual its just that after i've driven for a bit it starts running hot and when I lift hood theres coolant coming from under the cap. I've changed the coolant recovery tank as well in case it was cracked. A friend suggested it may be head gasket but the mechanic who answered said if I took the cap off and cranked it coolant would gush out if it was a bad gasket but it didn't. Any more ideas? Thanks.
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 AT 2:48 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

There are degrees of head gasket problems, not all issues with head gaskets will cause a massive pressure problem, I would be getting a head check done, this is a simple chemical test to check for exhaust gasses in the cooling system, also have the pressure cap brake off pressure tested and have the radiator checked for a partial blockage, a back flush will not be enough the tanks need to be removed and the cores inspected, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, May 24th, 2010 AT 10:26 PM
Tiny
RICH120865
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Will the steel seal ad that I see here help?
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Personally I never advocate the use of this type of stuff, in my experience with customers that have used these magic fix all in a bottle that they can cause more harm than good, by blocking coolant passages and radiator cores, these are only a delaying tactic at best and it WILL not fix the problem, to do this you will have to do the head properly.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
RICH120865
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I just noticed a new symptom. The heater is blowing cold air. Not just temperature of outside but COLD air
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

This will be due to an air lock in the heater core, due to low engine coolant, these are all symptoms of a head gasket if there is no external coolant leaks.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 7:51 PM

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