2000 Mercury Sable Car Overheating

PRATT628

MEMBER
2000 MERCURY SABLE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

A couple months ago I had a problem of the engine temp rising when I would sit at an intersection. The coolant in my resevoir tank was rust colored and needed to be replaced, so I had it flushed and replaced. That fixed the problem for the time being, then it started up again. I noticed that my coolant had been leaking from the resevoir tank, so I replaced that yesterday and refilled it with new prediluted coolant. I drove it around for about 20 minutes to test it, and it worked fine until I got on the highway, and then it started to heat up again. When I got off the highway the heat stayed up, so I parked it at home. After my car running for fifteen minutes the brand new coolant I had replaced was rust colored again. Any ideas as to what the problem might be? Could it be the thermostat? Should I try getting the coolant flushed again before I do anything major?

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

To better assist you if you need to get back with me please let me know what the 8th digit of your VIN is.

Next, you have 170K on the car so I need a little more info on your vehicle.

Have you been using Dex-Cool as your antifreeze?

Both of your radiator cooling fans, are they running when you select A/C?

When was the last time you had your thermostat changed?

Does your heater work okay?

Have you ever changed your water pump or radiator?

Last, just in case your car threw a code, please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery, alternator and starter.

My first thought is if you have been using Dex-Cool as an anti freeze your system is blocked and needs flushing. I would change the thermostat and definitely flush the system really good. You may have to replace your radiator and in time your heater core.

If you would answer the above and I can offer better advice.