Engine coolant reservoir crack

[nasher72]

Hello!

I have a 98 Taurus that I had some trouble with earlier this year with the heater not working. My husband felt that the water was low, so added more and that solved the problem. However I noticed on Monday I was leaking something in the spot I normally park. It was rusty. I popped the hood yesterday and noticed that there was some leaking coming from around the engine coolant reservoir. There was also some sort of black hard tube thing that came from the front of it that seemed to be missing a part of the outer rubber coating to it.

My husband ended up finding that there was a crack in the reservoir. He feels that perhaps this is the reason I have been losing water. I have not noticed my car overheating. But when I popped the hood yesterday to investigate, there was some light hissing noise from around that area. I also noticed that the inside of the reservoir was very brown and murky.

My husband found a reservoir at our local salvage yard for $40 and was thinking of replacing mine and flushing out the system. Does anyone have any other suggestions or opinions on what the problem would be?

Thanks in advance for the help! I appreciate it!

~Nickey

[GPFred]

I had a similar problem in my 98 Taurus, the reservoir bottle has a history of cracking on the bottom of the bottle. That black hose goes to the radiator. I would replace the bottle and flush the system and replace with new anti-freeze. The bottle replacement and replacing the hose should solve the problem. Good Luck.

[nasher72]

Thanks so much! It is always nice to have another opinion - especially since you've had a similar situation.

Have a great day!

Nickey

[KimMG]

Hubby is on the right track. The hissing you were hearing is probably pressure being released from the radiator.

[Huney1]

New to Taurus forum because I had a GM product and got tired of pouring money into it so got a peachey 03 Taurus SES.

BTW, that reservoir cracks and you don't have much choice but to replace it because it holds 16 lb pressure and I don't know of a way to repair it, plus it heats up and cools off so many times. Pay the forty bucks,replace the reservoir and hose and do what GPFred said; drain, flush and replace with fresh Prestone anti freeze. IMO, the system should be drained and flushed every three years and give it new anti freeze.

[nasher72]

Thank you all for the responses! My husband will be beaming to know that I think his idea is great! LOL!

I will let you all know how it worked after we get it replaced.


Nickey

[mwt878991]

Originally Posted by nasher72

Thank you all for the responses! My husband will be beaming to know that I think his idea is great! LOL!

I will let you all know how it worked after we get it replaced.


Nickey

You mentioned "rusty" looking stuff.

There is a well documented and very common problem called "Brown Coolant"

Without going into all the whys and whats

There is a recall kit that includes a chemical flush,new waterpump and most importantly a bypass kit that keeps the coolant circulating thru the heater during summer months.

Use a strong super flush from one of the major brands that includes operating the vehicle for 6 hours with it in there then drain it and do a back flush until all the water comes out clear.

Then add new coolant.

Part of the problem is electrolysis and Ford started adding the bypass and a ground from the water pump to the heater core in 99.

I put a 98 engine in my 99 and it happened to me.

Also you can get the "tank" which is actually called a Degasser tank from ebay for $36.00 new with new cap shippped to your door from ebay.



Mike