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Engine is overheating?

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
We don't get involved with costs here because there's way too many variables. In this case we don't even have a clue as to what's wrong. The good news is if you see a puddle under the front of the car, it's fairly likely a cylinder head gasket is not the cause. That is the most expensive cause.

You're going to have to look to see where the leak is occurring. With the amount of coolant you've had to add, a wet spot should be pretty easy to find. If you can't tell because the wet area is too big, your mechanic can perform a pressure test. For real slow and elusive leaks, he can add a small bottle of dye, then search a day later with a black light to make the dye show up.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHEREISTHYLOVE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have actually only used myb less than 3/4 of one of those antifreeze bottles.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHEREISTHYLOVE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks. I read that you could add a little red food dye then check it the next day. Is that true?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
No. Antifreeze is already colored. You'd have to add at least a gallon of something of a different color, and even then, what's the point? If you can see the food dye, you can see the coolant. The dye I'm referring to is for when the leak is so small the coolant evaporates too fast to leave a wet spot. The dye comes in a little bottle and is formulated to be used with the fluid that's leaking. It is dark purple, but when searching with a black light, it will show up bright yellow. Even though the coolant has evaporated, the dye will be left behind.

The dye is available at any auto parts store, and those that rent or borrow tools will usually have a black light, but this is an unnecessary expense for your leak if you're seeing wet spots on the ground. The wetness will lead you to the source of the leak just like the dye would.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNICKS27
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
My car started overheating, we replaced the thermostat and it still was overheating so we took it completely out and tried it and it still is running hot. It also makes this knocking noise like water pulsating threw the hoses maybe not enough circulation. Also my heater will not heat up it just blows out cold air.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

You may have a blocked radiator, have it cleaned professionally, a back flush wit a hose will not do the job, check the heater hoses, if cool the core could also be blocked or the heater tap stuck closed. If these things don't improve the over heating, you will have to start looking at head gasket problem.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHEREISTHYLOVE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
OK thank you. I really appreciate the help.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JEREMIAH1178
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 185,000 MILES
First overheating was in Aug. 2011. Cracked one of the heads(other one was okay). I had that one repaired and both machined. Also rebuilt cooling system: new radiator, hoses, thermostat, water pump, recovery tank etc. It ran good for a few months, then in Dec. Suddenly with no warning it started leaking coolant again as I was driving home (overheating). This time its only a blown head gasket (heads seem to be okay). Before this all happened in August I drove some long distance road trips(even around town)with no problems. Just wondering what may be causing it to overheat again. The mechanic I took it to doesn't quite seem to know.

Thank You for consideration. -Jeremiah
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Typical causes of overheating are insufficient coolant, coolant has lost it's anti-boil characteristics, plugged or restricted radiator, stuck thermostat, clogged water jacket in the engine block, bad radiator cap, lean burn condition uncorrected.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JJUNGERMAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 159,000 MILES
The car has been running fine for the two+ years I have owned it. A couple of days ago while driving in stop and go traffic (0-35mph) it overheated. I was able to get it off the highway and shutdown as soon as I saw the smoke/steem. Popped the hood and found the coolant to be very low in the res. I let the engine cool down as I walked to the nearest gas station and purchased new 50/50 coolant to top it off to try to get her home. After I topped her off, I let her idle for about 10 min. To see if she would over heat again. While idling I noticed the cooling fans (2 on radiator) were not coming on at all so, I turned on the defrost thinking that would make them come on. Instead the A/C pump started squeling and looked like coolant was spraying out of it, after running the defrost for about 1 min. So, I immeadiately turned the defrost off and continued to just let it idle (10 more min.) It stayed within opperating range so I drove it home with no overheating issues. When I got home it had leaked out some more coolant after it was sitting and the cooling fans did not come on at all. The next day I tried to run it with the defrost on again and got the same result as before. So far I have checked is the thrmostat and it seems to be fine but considering the low cost I am going to replace it any way. I have also checked the cooling fan fuses and they are fine. I am hoping this will be an easy fix, from what I have read on this site about over heating I don't really know what I should do next? I know it sounds like the A/C pump is done for but, will you help me if that is not the only problem? As I mentioned, the cooling fans are not coming on at all? Please help
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Well the coolant leaking is the prob with the overheating. Or atleast one of the probs. The cooling fans not running is also a prob 2 diff probs

this car has a multifunction relay on it this operates the cooling fans a/c but first start the eng unplug the coolant temp sensor located near the bottom of the upper radiator hose does the fans come on when you do this?

If yes sensor is bad replace. Now have your cooling system pressure tested this will tell you exactly where it is losing coolant.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JABARRI BRICKHOUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,913,456 MILES
My car starts to overheat when it is not moving.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
If you have coolant,

If the thermostat is good,

your fans come on,

It could be a water pump failure, it has a plastic impeller that sometimes can shell out.

I have a pic of a bad water pump for a Taurus below.

If yours has done this, and a piece is missing, see if you can find it stuck in the water passage on the engine side.

The Medic
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TAURUSBROKE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 124,000 MILES
Help!

My 2000 Taurus LX constantly overheats, over the last year I have replaced multiple thermostats, 2 recovery tanks, the water pump, radiator, hoses, and finally new head gaskets. The scenario goes like this, I can drive a day or two around town, no problem then, bam, a 10 mile trip results in a boil-over when I park. The coolant sprays out from under the recovery tank cap. This goes on for a few minutes, then stops. I thought the head gasket job would have solved this problem! Any ideas?

Thanks,

Taurusbroke
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Wow, you replaced everything. Is most of your driving (10 mile trip) in town driving or are you on the highway? When driving, does the engine run good?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TAURUSBROKE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi Jakobandnikolas,

Most of my driving is highway, but plenty of short trips as well, engine runs smooth. One thing has ocurred to me that I did'nt mention before, when the water pump went I found that the impeller had virtually disintegrated, there were hardly any blades left.I am wondering if there are pieces of it floating around in the cooling system? Maybe they are clogging something up?

Thanks,

Taurusbroke
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Usually when that happens, the parts are gone (corrosion). The only thing I can think of at this point is a bad head gasket. I realize you had them replaced, but there is a chance they did something wrong, didn't check the heads for warpage. With everything being new, either timing or another bad head gasket. I would return the car to the people who replaced the gaskets and have them recheck their work.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHATEVERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
  • 150,000 MILES
Car overheats in the last year it has new water pump heater hose therostat radiator I have fans on a toggle switch they work no heat at idle and over heats turn fans on seams to do nothin or make it hotter and if I run the a/c it overheats but not if on the highway I am runnin straight water till I figure out the problem
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHATEVERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Its a 3.0 single cam I just replace the fans and radiator water pump and thermostat about a year ago along with the heater hose I know the fans work it over heats when stuck in traffic or at a drive thru or when the a/c is used. Im down to the radiator cap or air in the system I was told tonite that if the cap dont seal right the coolant will not flow correctly. I believe the cap is a good place to start because I have no heat at a idle either. But thank you and please respond if that sound right or if you have any other ideas what it might be. Ty again!
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WHATEVERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
When it overheats the coolant comes out the radiator cap
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)

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