1999 Ford Taurus SE Low Coolant

1999 FORD TAURUS
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SPACEMANSTU
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  • 1 POST
1999 Ford Taurus SE, 24v DOHC, 80000 mi. My low coolant light came on, I put in coolant, it went out (so sensor is ok). It came on again a couple of days later. I put more. Same thing keeps happening, some times I smell anti-freeze, usually not. The cap is holding pressure (it releases when I loosen it), I do not overheat, engine seems to be running ok. The service engine light has come on, but I have not been able to get to a mechanic to check it yet. everything seems fine except the coolant is going somewhere and I can't find a leak. When I smell anti-freeze, it seems to have been forced out through the overflow, and that could be just from overfilling. (I have been told about a possible blown head gasket, but I don't see any anti-freeze in the oil, and it is not over heating at all)
Mar 13, 2006 at 9:35 AM
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RAYHUT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 134 POSTS
you could have a blown head gasket sometimes you may not see the anti-freeze couse it can get down in the engine compartment.
Mar 13, 2006 at 9:41 PM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
Could also be a waterpump about to fail. The leak will get worse and be easier to find. Check from underneath. Be sure to use jack stands. Autozone will pull codes free of charge.

Good luck and let us know. :)
Mar 14, 2006 at 1:04 PM
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Suggested Repair

Inspect for a head gasket leak that may dump coolant into the engine compartment rather than the oil, and check the water pump from underneath using jack stands, as it may be starting to fail. Have the check engine light codes read; Autozone can pull them at no charge.

Conversation Summary

A 1999 Ford Taurus SE with the 24-valve DOHC engine and about 80,000 miles repeatedly loses coolant and triggers the low coolant light, sometimes with an antifreeze smell that may be from the overflow after overfilling. The cap holds pressure, the engine does not overheat, and no coolant is visible in the oil, though the service engine light is on and no external leak has been found. Experts suggested a possible head gasket leak into the engine compartment, a water pump beginning to fail that should be checked from underneath with jack stands, and a free code scan.

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