1999 Ford Taurus Coolant Bubbling

FORD F-150
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DEJAE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello, Please help! I took my 1999 Ford Taurus (79,000 miles) in to get the air conditioning fixed, it was blowing cold, then blowing hot, so I thought I needed freeon. When I took the car in, they told me I had a blown head geasket. I had never had any trouble at all and they said it would cost $1500.
I did not get that done because I had no symtoms what so ever. I watched the car and noticed as soon as I got it back, a belt was squeaking terribly, never had it squeaked before. I drove the car the following day 60 miles with no trouble. Today, (very next day) my coolant was bubbling and popping like crazy when I got home. Please tell me what might be the problem? ( ihad also got the radiator flushed and a new radiator cap. Do I really have a blown head gasket?
Jul 6, 2006 at 2:34 PM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 718 POSTS
What size engine, 3.0 or 3.8??? If 3.8, all suffered head gasket failures and total engine destruction was not out of the question... 3.0 was very rare, however overheat was cause of most failures with 3.0.. I recommend taking it to the dealer and tell them to do a leakdown test, this will definitely confirm one way or another... bubbles in your coolant bottle are very well a sign of a leaking gasket, if that's what you're saying about the popping and bubbling, I would suspect the gasket..
Jul 7, 2006 at 5:09 PM

Suggested Repair

Have a dealer perform a leakdown test to confirm or rule out a head gasket leak. Note whether the engine is a 3.0 or 3.8; bubbling coolant is consistent with a leaking gasket, and 3.8 engines commonly had head gasket failures.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1999 Ford Taurus was told a shop found a blown head gasket while addressing an air-conditioning problem, despite no prior symptoms. After the visit the belt squeaked and the coolant bubbled and popped. The expert said bubbling coolant suggests a leaking head gasket, especially on the 3.8 engine, and recommended a dealer leakdown test to confirm it.

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