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Taurs losing coolant

Tiny
NCBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • FORD TAURUS
I have a 99 Taurus. The heater wasn't working so I took it to a mechanic. He told me I had a blown head gasket.
He replaced the head gasket, water pump and thermostat. I still have not heat. I am losing coolant, but I cannot tell where.
I've taken it back to my mechanic 3 times, but he cannot find the problem. He even put dye in the radiator. He put a new radiator cap on.
I'm at wits end. I freeze driving back and forth to work.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
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Friday, November 24th, 2006 AT 7:45 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
Was the car running alright before you took it to the shop? The reason I ask is because if you had a blown head gasket, you definately should notice by the car running rough if at all. Do you smell the coolant burning? When coolant burns, it has almost a sweet smell to it. Also, you may try replacing the heater core.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
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The car seemed to be driving pretty good before I took it in for them to look at the heater. It didn't seem to have the power it should for a V6. No, I didn't smell any coolant.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
Well, if you don't smell any coolant burning anywhere and I'm assuming the car runs at normal operating temperature, then it is leaking somewhere. Double check all of the clamps on the radiator hoses and make sure that there is no coolant coming out where the water pump meets the block. When you turn the heat on, is there any smoke or anything that comes out of the vents? If not, the problem may not be coolant related at all. It could be that the HVAC swith/panel may be faulty.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
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  • 10 POSTS
Have looked at all the clamps. No smoke coming from vents.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
With a loss of power and losing fluid, I suspect that you have a warped head. Did they check that when they did the head gasket? I doubt it. These add up.

The heater part of it I suspect is not related to this problem. Check the heater valve to ensure that it opens.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
They supposedly had the head shaved(?). When I got it back the first time, there was a tapping sound. The last time I took it back, they said it had been shaved too close (I think that's what they said). Anyway, I guess they sent it back to the machine shop. Even before I tood it in the first time, I could run up to 80 mph. But they car just didn't run as smooth as it does not. By the way, I had taken it to these guys for a tune up a couple of months ago. For now, my big problem seems to be no heat. I filled up with collant again last night, but I had no heat to speak of driving in this morning. I'll have someone check the valve (someone else). Thanks for your responses.
The sad thing about this is that I used to have a nice old LeSabre that ran like a top til a mexican lady rammed me and totaled the thing. And I'm still paying on this used Taurus. Thank God for my guitar. :)
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
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  • 10 POSTS
I think I need to get spell checker.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
DAVE13126
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Sounds to me like a plug heater core try flushing out the heater core with a hose if that don't work you have to put in a new heater core and it is a big job
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
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  • 10 POSTS
Thought I'd let everyone know. I went to another mechanic yesterday. He put some kind of device in the radiator and there were these two colored liquids. The bottom was blue and the upper was green. He said the green showed a head gasket leak or crack. While he was doing that, the other mechanic spotted coolant coming from the back of the head.
I dropped it off where I've alreadi paid the other mechanics and told them what had been discovered. They said they'll "take a look at it".
This car is really getting to me.
Thanks for all your input. I really appreciate it.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Got my car back last night. Runs great. Drove to work this morning. 20 some degrees.
NO HEAT!
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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I feel your frustration. Try this for me. When the engine is nice and warm feel the hoses going from the thermostat. The smaller one goes to the heater core. It should be very warm. Follow the hose and you will then find the return hose and I would bet that it is cool. So what does this tell us. Yes the heater core could be plugged but I would suspect that the valve that the heater system is supposed to open has failed to open and let the hot antifreeze flow through the heater core. Check the valve on the hot hose.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Thank you. I will take a look after work today.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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Have a great day and try to stay warm.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
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  • 10 POSTS
Where exactly is that valve located?
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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The hose that gets hot will be connected to it.
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
NCBLUES
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Excuse my ignorance here, but Is it inside the hose our at one end of it?
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 1:37 PM

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