Coolant temp 96 taurus
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
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Tried to hit NAPA for stat and sensor(s) earlier..too late Sun. eve. closed. My next step will be a stat and sensor(s), but...
Just talked to the seller and found out that the car has pretty much sat for the last 5-6 months. Took it for a 25 mile ride and the "swing " of the gauge is less than 1/2 what it was. I get the feeling it might just need to be driven a little, loosen up some (hopefully) small clogs, and get the t-stat to cycle. He said the system was flushed in late '03, it has had less than 15,000 miles put on since. I am thinking about replacing the stat since it is cheap and easy and trying to put some more miles on it. You guys are a great help!! THANK
Hope the wife doesn't find out about the use of her candy thermometer. Thanks again for the help!
Just talked to the seller and found out that the car has pretty much sat for the last 5-6 months. Took it for a 25 mile ride and the "swing " of the gauge is less than 1/2 what it was. I get the feeling it might just need to be driven a little, loosen up some (hopefully) small clogs, and get the t-stat to cycle. He said the system was flushed in late '03, it has had less than 15,000 miles put on since. I am thinking about replacing the stat since it is cheap and easy and trying to put some more miles on it. You guys are a great help!! THANK
Hope the wife doesn't find out about the use of her candy thermometer. Thanks again for the help!
Last edited by RSCHAP1; Mar 5, 2006 at 04:00 PM.
Senior User
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From: MA
I had a 93 Taurus that had the same problem. See if the temp gauge moves less when you have the AC on. With the ac off, when the needle just leaves the normal line you will notice that is when the electric fans kick in. I changed the thermostat and temp sensor without an improvement. Finally when the radiator failed, the new one had an extra row of cooling tubes and that is when my problem went away.
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and------when the car was flushed not long ago----wonder how rusty it was--why??????? because i had one in the shop--did the heater hose bypass--flushed it with ford chemicals--their great--and still got warm---guess what--i pulled the water pump-----------------------------NO VANES LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! seemed to have solved the problem with a new water pump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
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new stat is in. 192-195 degrees. lots less swing to the gage. only gets as high as the mid area of the gage in dash. coolant that i had to drain all lokked real good and clean and green. hoping a little more drive time and i'll be set. THANKS for all the tips. I will be remembering the pump impeller stuff!!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
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Drove a hundred miles so far with new stat. Gage still flucuates, but less than half of what it did when I first got the car. Goes right from 1/4 to 1/2 and back and forth on temp gage. No overheat just back and forth every 30 sec. to min. If the water pump isn't flowing, would the return hose to the reservior bottle not have flow into the bottle? This car has a good steady stream from the 1/2" hose leading into the top of the reservoir...?
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Laughing Gas
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There are two hoses to the tank. The one on top is filling the tank all the time. It circulates through (at a pretty fair rate of flow). Thats why I wondered if that was a good indicator of water pump's functioning or not...?
Post Fiend
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From: Connecticut
The expansion tank ("degas bottle") is actually a part of the pressurized cooling system on the Gen III Taurus/Sables. Note that the screw on cap is rated to 16 or so psi, just like a radiator cap is on other vehicles. Also note the coolant return hose that connects to the bottom of the bottle.
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I've replaced the coolant temp sensor in my 90 Taurus ST (3.8 L) twice in the year that I've had it. It was acting kind of goofy like that when it was on its way out. Started to get very difficult to start on cold mornings and if it was still warm when I came out of a store, it would start and die repeatedly. Other than that it's been a nice car.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
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The expansion tank ("degas bottle") is actually a part of the pressurized cooling system on the Gen III Taurus/Sables. Note that the screw on cap is rated to 16 or so psi, just like a radiator cap is on other vehicles. Also note the coolant return hose that connects to the bottom of the bottle.
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I do realize the cap creates the pressure on the system, but when you say return hose on bottom, do you mean it returns coolant to the engine from there? It is suppose to fill the tank by way of the upper hose correct? THANKS in advance!!
__________________
I do realize the cap creates the pressure on the system, but when you say return hose on bottom, do you mean it returns coolant to the engine from there? It is suppose to fill the tank by way of the upper hose correct? THANKS in advance!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by RSCHAP1
I do realize the cap creates the pressure on the system, but when you say return hose on bottom, do you mean it returns coolant to the engine from there? It is suppose to fill the tank by way of the upper hose correct?
Coolant Recovery System
Trapped air in the cooling system must be removed. A pressurized degas bottle system is used which continuously separates the air from the cooling system.
When the water thermostat is closed, coolant flows through the degas tube and hose assembly from the lower radiator hose to the degas bottle.
When the water thermostat is open, coolant flows through both the small hose from the top of the radiator outlet tank and the degas tube and hose assembly from the engine to the degas bottle. The degas bottle separates any trapped air from the coolant and replenishes the system through its degas hose. The degas bottle serves as the location for:
- service fill.
- coolant expansion during warm-up.
- system pressurization from the pressure relief cap.
- air separation during operation.
Trapped air in the cooling system must be removed. A pressurized degas bottle system is used which continuously separates the air from the cooling system.
When the water thermostat is closed, coolant flows through the degas tube and hose assembly from the lower radiator hose to the degas bottle.
When the water thermostat is open, coolant flows through both the small hose from the top of the radiator outlet tank and the degas tube and hose assembly from the engine to the degas bottle. The degas bottle separates any trapped air from the coolant and replenishes the system through its degas hose. The degas bottle serves as the location for:
- service fill.
- coolant expansion during warm-up.
- system pressurization from the pressure relief cap.
- air separation during operation.
Last edited by Rockledge; Mar 9, 2006 at 07:59 PM.