My engine overheats why?

Check/replace thermostat, flush system and refill with Ford approved coolant. 50-50 mix. Inspect radiator cooling fins for clogs, blow out with compressed air. Also, lets go over this guide to help us fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Please run down this guide and report back.

As far as the overheating goes, There are several things that could go wrong to cause this. On these cars the most common things that I have had are: 1. Intake leaks at the front left and right corners. 2. water pump weep hole leaking. 3. electric fans failing. 4 head gasket failure. The instrument cluster on these vehicles are known to have bad solder joints. I have repaired these myself by re-heating the solder joints near where the connector goes, but if possible there are computer repair people lately that have made these repairs, because at the end of the day circuit boards are circuit boards! Here is guide that may help with the overheating issue: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Good morning,

Yes, the cooling fans were an issue with the old Mercury's.

I would replace the fan and module together. That is what controls the operation of the fan.

When the engine first starts, the fan should come on high speed right away and then drop down.

Roy