99 taurus overheating and water coming out of radiator cap

[darkestdays30]

I have a 99 ford taurus SES piece of crap around about 150,000 miles. The trouble is with the cooling system. First of all, the heat quits working. Had the car flushed, heat worked for a very short time and quit again. Develop a water leak, garage changed the water pump $200 job and it doesn't even last a year. First I get a corroded hose (near the right back side of the motor where water flows through), then a freeze plug corrodes, then another freeze plug corrodes, still overheating, changed the radiator cap, and put on a new thermostat, then my nephew changes the water pump for me. There was dark orange rusty gunk build up in the radiator tank and around the cap. This orange color went all over my car including all over the battery. The water pump was so unbelievably corroded GONE, history. It looked like a water pump that was 100 years old! Well changing this didn't last long. I'm thinking the pump was just bad when bought or I should have hired a mechanic instead of my nephew. Car overheating again after driving it a little bit. I had the car flushed again recently (he only charged $20) and I put in radiator leak stuff like the mechanic suggested. Have not added coolent because he said wait a month, if this doesn't work, bring it back and he will do a proper full flush. He said flush this stuff out before adding any coolent. Well my heat worked after the flush and it hasn't worked for years. Heater core was extremely plugged up. Mechanic said don't by-pass it, it is still good. I am afraid I may have a job here that will cost more than my car is worth. I do not have white smoke from the exhaust, no bubbles in the oil, does not look like oil in the water but I don't know what that thick orange gunk is. Orange gunk isn't blowing all over my car again but it's in the radiator tank, mostly around the cap. If this is my motor, I will have to kiss that car goodbye. Could it just be the water pump or radiator? Or just not circulating? It doesn't seem I am losing water except what is sipping through the cap. And when that happens, is when it starts overheating. I guess when my car reaches a certain temperature.

[shorod]

There were a few model years that were said to have galvanic issues with the cooling system and a grounding strap system was developed to be retrofit to cars without it. I don't recall what years were impacted, but I suspect that might be what's happening to your car. Since you're new to the forum (welcome, by the way) I'll give you a homework assignment. Use the "Search this forum" feature from the Taurus forum main page to find the details on the ground strap. You might try a keyword of "strap."

-Rod

[darkestdays30]

My car is overheating when the radiator tank is still full of water, however it goes to overflowing out of it after it's driven a little bit, but still it isn't low to overheat. I also found a pipe that hooks on the water hose going from the radiator tank, and then there is a pressed on part on the pipe, and another hose hooks on it from there. Any idea what that part is called (the pipe)? It has small leaks in several places now, before the hole comes through, there is some yellow gunk on the pipe and that is where it's tearing it up.

Sorry I have little knowledge on cars cause I am not a guy. LOL. Can anyone help?

I don't think it's the motor which I have been concerned of a blown head gasket, but there is no white smoke from the exhaust or symptoms of. No water in the oil. That is my worry, if it's going to be a very expensive job. Because the car is honestly not worth it (too many miles).

[shorod]

Any chance you could upload a photo of the items you're referring to? I don't know what you're referring to from the description. You'll need to upload the photos to a photo hosting site, then link to them here.

-Rod

[tkeys2]

Lmao...my taurus is doing same thing...but it doesn't run hot. just the coolant bubbles over.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by tkeys2

Lmao...my taurus is doing same thing...but it doesn't run hot. just the coolant bubbles over.

In this situation that would typically indicate a head gasket issue or cracked head, which allows compression from the cylinder to enter the cooling system. An exhaust gas analysis on the cooling system is usually the sure-fire way to diagnose that issue.

-Rod

[Johnny Spineto]

The same thing happened to me. The radiator cap would bubble over, and it would overheat. My mechanic said that I should replace the water pump gasket. I have not done it yet, because I got a company car in the beginning of July. I will have to get to it, eventually. At one point as I was driving the needle went almost into the red, and it was very hot. It was missing coolant, and so I parked it. I drive it occasionally on the weekend, just so it does not rust away. My mechanic is usually right. Now there is another thing you mentioned. This quick fix radiator stuff you add, with that I actually worsened my situation, in fact the one and only thing that this vehicule repeatedly gave me trouble on was the heater. I would not get any heat, and here in Quebec, it is not a good thing. So, number 1. The tubes that come out of your firewall should be changed, do not go to the dealer, just have them custom cut, they are (if i remember correctly) 3/4 and 5/8 in in diameter. Change those and have your mechanic blow water and then air. If you want to clean out all the soot in the system use CLR and run the engine for about 15-20 minutes. Get the heat going, mind you that is not a problem in your area, but it is a good way to know that you have cleaned the system thorougly.
What else, well start with that, and make sure you have no leaks ( you see now I am losing pressure due to my waterpump gasket) replace those 2 hoses, flush everything out using CLR. running the engine. AND THEN PUT THE PRESTONE IN, OR WATER.

good luck

[SteveG3]

Some have mentioned "when the tank is full" You cannot do that. You can only fill to the line on the side of the tank. If you fill too much, it will blow out all the excess coolent when hot from the tank all over.

[darkestdays30]

My car has been in park all this time. I'm about ready to have someone go pull that water pump out and replace it to see if it was faulty the begin with. However, I have already changed the water pump once before, and after a year, same problems recur with the water leak. Water is not circulating. But I don't have any signs of a faulty motor/head gasket. There is no white smoke from my exhaust. No water in the oil. No oil in the water. I haven't had it worked on in the fear it's going to turn out to be my engine. Would it do any good to replace the radiator? That probably has nothing to do with a circulating issue does it? I haven't had that checked but I'm wondering what's the point. I keep thinking maybe my nephew didn't put the water pump in quite right. He knows how to work on cars, but this didn't last until the water got hot.

[Willyum]

To avoid blaming the vehicle, it might be well to remind owners that engine coolant needs to be changed out every 2 or 3 years so the corrosion protection is maintained.

[inafogg]

darkestdays,it sounds like either the dexcool(anti-freeze)was left in the car
to long before it was flushed/replaced or the old type (green) anti-freeze
was added to cooling system.(they dont mix & create sludge.)
IMO I'd drain coolant, refill w/water & a flush added.you may need to flush a few times.
remove over flow tank & clean it.at this point the radiator may be to clogged
& may need to be cleaned by a pro(rad. shop)or may need replacement.
after you get it flushed remember there are air bleed screws to bleed any trapped air
good luck