'94 Taurus overheating, but not showing

This evening, I got almost home and my Taurus starting dieseling on me. However, my temperature gauge showed normal. I only pushed it just far enough to find a good spot to pull over. (actually it also died at this time) The engine was smoking when I got pulled over though the gauge still showed normal. The fan stayed wide open for another 15 minutes or so. I added both oil and water though oil still showed OK. After it cooled some, It cranked up fine and I was able to drive it a couple miles and again it dieseled on me. I pulled over again. Oil still looked fine but I was better able to add water. I was able to get it home after a couple of tries but had a heck of a time getting parked from it dieseling. what has probably caused it to overheat since I wasn't having to add much water? Also, since the water in the radiator is also muddy, what is best for cleaning the mud out?

Several of the earlier Taurus models (although I'm not sure the '94 was one of them) had issues with corrosion of the cooling system. Often this caused a lack of heat in the cabin first, and if left to go long enough, it could corrode the vanes on the water pump causing overheating conditions. Since it sounds like the coolant in the radiator is in bad shape, you may also have restricted flow through the radiator. There may be some cooling system flush product that will clean out the sludge in the system, but it may require several applications. I'm not sure what products are available or what works best though.

-Rod

I know my '96 had the corosion issue. Supposedly Ford put in a bypass pipe to the heater coil to fix it, but that didn't do it.

I know my '96 had the corosion issue. Supposedly Ford put in a bypass pipe to the heater coil to fix it, but that didn't do it.

I read on here about a TSB instructing the dealers to install ground straps from a coolant manifold near the firewall to the firewall for the corrosion issue as well. Maybe they left that one off of your car for some reason, or during service sometime it got removed and never reinstalled.

-Rod

these guys are right but when you see "mud" you need to take your radiator to a radiator shop to be disassembled and rodded out or buy a new one same with the heater core and flush out the rest of the cooling system be sure to check the thermostat and make sure you waterpump still has impellers to push coolant....and always pressure test the cooling system for any leaks...overheating=not good for anything or anyone