Temp Question
TaurusTuff
03-05-2004, 07:29 PM
First, let me start off by saying how much I enjoy reading the posts in this forum. Everyone is so helpful and willing to help and I figured this would be the best place to ask a question. I will ask my question first and then under that I will list some details about my Taurus if you care to read further.
I have a 92 Ford Taurus 3.0L
My question is ... what does the temp say on your gauge? Up until a recent tune-up my needle always hung around the “O” in the word “Normal” and after the tune-up it stays closer to the “M” and the “A”. I was just wondering if this jump in temp is indicative of a problem or it is something normal after a tune-up.
THANK-YOU for your time and consideration!!! Listed below are some of my car’s stats and what I have fixed on it.
1992 Ford Taurus GL
3.0L Engine
4 Dr. Sedan
Burgundy Exterior / Grey Interior
Approx. 103,000 miles
I acquired my car in the fall of 1999 from my mother. The car was very well kept and had about 86,000 miles on it. However, once I took over I ran into a series of problems. Some were normal maintenance and others were not. But since I got it I have:
Rebuilt the Transmission
Replaced Alternator
Replaced Radiator (2Xs) & Fan
Replaced Oil Pan Gasket
Replaced Fuel Pump
Replaced Water Pump
Replaced Battery
Replaced Rotors (2Xs)
Replaced a cracked A/C block and had the whole system converted to this new Freon Free type … however I have been having problems with it and still have no A/C
If you have any questions or comments or just want to give a friendly shout out feel free to E-Mail me
Most Sincerely & Respectfully yours,
Frank
[email protected]
I have a 92 Ford Taurus 3.0L
My question is ... what does the temp say on your gauge? Up until a recent tune-up my needle always hung around the “O” in the word “Normal” and after the tune-up it stays closer to the “M” and the “A”. I was just wondering if this jump in temp is indicative of a problem or it is something normal after a tune-up.
THANK-YOU for your time and consideration!!! Listed below are some of my car’s stats and what I have fixed on it.
1992 Ford Taurus GL
3.0L Engine
4 Dr. Sedan
Burgundy Exterior / Grey Interior
Approx. 103,000 miles
I acquired my car in the fall of 1999 from my mother. The car was very well kept and had about 86,000 miles on it. However, once I took over I ran into a series of problems. Some were normal maintenance and others were not. But since I got it I have:
Rebuilt the Transmission
Replaced Alternator
Replaced Radiator (2Xs) & Fan
Replaced Oil Pan Gasket
Replaced Fuel Pump
Replaced Water Pump
Replaced Battery
Replaced Rotors (2Xs)
Replaced a cracked A/C block and had the whole system converted to this new Freon Free type … however I have been having problems with it and still have no A/C
If you have any questions or comments or just want to give a friendly shout out feel free to E-Mail me
Most Sincerely & Respectfully yours,
Frank
[email protected]
brooster
03-08-2004, 07:24 PM
Was any other work performed at the time of the tune-up; radiator flush, hoses replaced, etc? Your reading between O and R is closer to right. How's the coolant level in the reservoir? You may have gotten a little low. Doesn't take much to make the gage read higher than usual.
By the way, why did you have the tune-up done? Was it just that time or was the engine running rough?
By the way, why did you have the tune-up done? Was it just that time or was the engine running rough?
TaurusTuff
03-08-2004, 09:51 PM
I took her into my mechanic because of a banging sound that I was hearing ... well that banging sound turned out to be the engine slamming against the hood because of a broken motor mount. While I was there I told them to do a full tune up. You know, plugs, wires, the works.
Right after the tune up I noticed the jump in heat ... like I said ... normally she would sit on the "O" in normal and after the tune up she sat on the "M" and the "A" instead.
About a week or so later I noticed smoke coming from under the hood... opened it up only to find that I was leaking coolant ... the coolant was dripping onto my exhaust pipe which aside from a horrible smell ... created a lot of smoke. At first I thought I just blew a hose but as it turns out my water pump cracked which, according to my mechanic, let bearings go into the system and one actually lodged itself in my thermostat. Sooooooooooooooooooo, they replaced the water pump and reflushed the cooling system.
After the motor mount being replaced and full tune-up she runs better and doesn't idle as hard but I am concerned about the Temp jump.
Thank-you for taking interest in my post! I appreicate your input and comments!!! :-)
Most Sincerely & Respectfully yours,
Frank
[email protected]
Right after the tune up I noticed the jump in heat ... like I said ... normally she would sit on the "O" in normal and after the tune up she sat on the "M" and the "A" instead.
About a week or so later I noticed smoke coming from under the hood... opened it up only to find that I was leaking coolant ... the coolant was dripping onto my exhaust pipe which aside from a horrible smell ... created a lot of smoke. At first I thought I just blew a hose but as it turns out my water pump cracked which, according to my mechanic, let bearings go into the system and one actually lodged itself in my thermostat. Sooooooooooooooooooo, they replaced the water pump and reflushed the cooling system.
After the motor mount being replaced and full tune-up she runs better and doesn't idle as hard but I am concerned about the Temp jump.
Thank-you for taking interest in my post! I appreicate your input and comments!!! :-)
Most Sincerely & Respectfully yours,
Frank
[email protected]
brooster
03-17-2004, 08:35 PM
By the time you see this, your car is probably fixed. Since the cooling system was repaired shortly after the other work was done, this now makes sense. You probably have/had an air pocket in the engine after the water pump and thermostat were replaced.
Ask the mechanic that repaired your car if he/she installed the OE temperature thermostat, or a hotter one. If OE temperature thermostat was installed, you could check the following.
After the engine has cooled, note the upper radiator hose before opening the radiator cap. If it is collapsed, you may need to replace the radiator cap.
When the engine is cool, open the radiator cap and make sure the radiator is full. Check the coolant level in the reservoir. Add, if low in either.
If the radiator is low and the coolant reservoir is at the proper level, check the radiator tank seams for leaks. This is quite common on the Taurus. Naturally, visually check other hoses and the engine for leaks/seepage.
It practically impossible to bleed the air out of a Taurus with the radiator cap off and the engine running. It is best to do this with the cap installed, the engine running at normal temperature. Keep an eye on the reservoir. As the air bleeds out you will see the bubbles in the reservoir if the cap is working properly. When you rev up the engine or when the cooling fan comes on, you should see the level in the reservoir go down. This is how the level in the radiator is maintained. Add to the reservoir as needed while bleeding the air from the system.
Ask the mechanic that repaired your car if he/she installed the OE temperature thermostat, or a hotter one. If OE temperature thermostat was installed, you could check the following.
After the engine has cooled, note the upper radiator hose before opening the radiator cap. If it is collapsed, you may need to replace the radiator cap.
When the engine is cool, open the radiator cap and make sure the radiator is full. Check the coolant level in the reservoir. Add, if low in either.
If the radiator is low and the coolant reservoir is at the proper level, check the radiator tank seams for leaks. This is quite common on the Taurus. Naturally, visually check other hoses and the engine for leaks/seepage.
It practically impossible to bleed the air out of a Taurus with the radiator cap off and the engine running. It is best to do this with the cap installed, the engine running at normal temperature. Keep an eye on the reservoir. As the air bleeds out you will see the bubbles in the reservoir if the cap is working properly. When you rev up the engine or when the cooling fan comes on, you should see the level in the reservoir go down. This is how the level in the radiator is maintained. Add to the reservoir as needed while bleeding the air from the system.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026