94 taurus GL overheats

overheats and smokes and stalls. it drives good for a a few, then all of a sudden it jus cuts off, and somthin starts smoking. any clue?

What does the smoke smell like, oil, anti freeze, or burning rubber or brakes? If it is anti freeze, wondering if you have checked the coolant level in the resevoir and or radiator. Don't check radiator while hot, please. If the coolant is OK but still smells like anti freeze it may be your thermostat. If you are running it hot until it stops, you are doing it some major harm. Where exactly is the smoke coming from?

What does the smoke smell like, oil, anti freeze, or burning rubber or brakes? If it is anti freeze, wondering if you have checked the coolant level in the resevoir and or radiator. Don't check radiator while hot, please. If the coolant is OK but still smells like anti freeze it may be your thermostat. If you are running it hot until it stops, you are doing it some major harm. Where exactly is the smoke coming from?

its hard to say wat it smells like, its more like steam, and its comming near the resevoir, like from under the engine or sumthin, not to sure

I would suspect the thermoastat is stuck shut but there are possibilities but this is the one I would think most suspect. What is the oil looking like? If the level is up and maybe looking cruddy there could be head gasket problem. Don't, for goodness sake, run it until it quits. It will soon quit and not go at all if that keeps up. Good luck. Oh yes, I have had problems with the little hoses on top of the engine springing pin hole leaks and making a mess of things.

I would suspect the thermoastat is stuck shut but there are possibilities but this is the one I would think most suspect. What is the oil looking like? If the level is up and maybe looking cruddy there could be head gasket problem. Don't, for goodness sake, run it until it quits. It will soon quit and not go at all if that keeps up. Good luck. Oh yes, I have had problems with the little hoses on top of the engine springing pin hole leaks and making a mess of things.

its not muddy looking, it was the first time it did that. today.and my car has cooled down, but wen i put it in gear i hear a lil knocking or sumthin, and wen i cut off the car from driving it, i hear a hisss, then i see smoke. and its hot.

How does your radiator cap look? Does it have the 16 lb rating? It should be printed on the cap. Is the sealing surface OK? If that is all good then you're back to thermostat or look at the little hoses on top of the engine carefully and maybe push on them to see if you can make them push water. Use gloves and long sleeves as they may spray hot water and cause a burning sensation if they are the problem. If you're not sure of yourself, take it someone who does this for a living or at least does his own mechanic work. I presume you checked the front of the radiator for any obstructions, right?

How does your radiator cap look? Does it have the 16 lb rating? It should be printed on the cap. Is the sealing surface OK? If that is all good then you're back to thermostat or look at the little hoses on top of the engine carefully and maybe push on them to see if you can make them push water. Use gloves and long sleeves as they may spray hot water and cause a burning sensation if they are the problem. If you're not sure of yourself, take it someone who does this for a living or at least does his own mechanic work. I presume you checked the front of the radiator for any obstructions, right?
yes i did, ill think ill take it to a mechanic cuz im not to much on auto's

That's probably a good idea. When you find the problem post back so we all can benefit. Hope it's nothing serious.

That's probably a good idea. When you find the problem post back so we all can benefit. Hope it's nothing serious.

i hope not either, and this weather probably aint helping either,im in dallas.

*update* had the car idling, then all of a sudden, some water comes from under the right side, it sounds like there is a hole or sumthin sumwhere.