Coolant temp 96 taurus
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
O.T. Taurus temp.
Recently bought a 1996 Taraus wagon to save wear and tear and gas on the Expedition. 3.0 V-6. Temp flucauates form lower end of normal to nearly overheating and then drops backs. Back and forth every 30 seconds to min. while driving. Added coolant as it was at the low. Sound like a temp sensor(s), fan relay, or air in the system? Or anyone know a good site to hit for st 
ation wagon tech? Thanks!
ation wagon tech? Thanks!
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
Coolant temp 96 taurus
Recently bought a 1996 Taraus wagon to save wear and tear and gas on the Expedition. 3.0 V-6. Temp flucauates form lower end of normal to nearly overheating and then drops backs. Back and forth every 30 seconds to min. while driving. Added coolant as it was at the low. Sound like a temp sensor(s), fan relay, or air in the system? Or anyone know a good site to hit for st ation wagon tech? Thanks
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
Nope doesn't actually overheat, just gets close. Runs way up towards the high side, then I'm guessing either the thermostat opens or the fan kicks on and it cools back to the lower end of the normal range.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
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From: Elkhart IN
if it cycles ever 30 seconds, i would say that is a electrical issue, cause i dont think that it can actualy heat and cool that fast, i would check the connections, or just go buy and actuall gauge and use it.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
If it's the 3.0L OHV "vulcan" engine in your Taurus wagon then it's the same 3.0L that's been used in the Ranger for almost 15 years. So you might visit the FTE 3.0L Forum and poke around there. Of particular interest might be the 3.0L Technical Information Thread. 
P.S. Sounds likes it running a little hot and the fan is coming on and doing it's job, cooling it down. Then it happens all over again. Consider a full flush and refill.
P.S. Sounds likes it running a little hot and the fan is coming on and doing it's job, cooling it down. Then it happens all over again. Consider a full flush and refill.
Last edited by Rockledge; Mar 5, 2006 at 12:05 PM.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
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Wow THANKS! With it running in the drive, the fans do kick on as it heats up. Looks as though it has been flushed fairly recently. Coolant looks nice, clean, and green. Temp sensor for gage seems to be in working order, unplug it and gage drops to zero. Thinking thermostat ...? or maybe water pump/ radiator?
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: MN
could be air in the system but not likely, That motor/car combo bleeds air well. The older ones like yours tend to really plug up the cooling system quick and even turn the coolant dark brown. Do a good coolant flush making sure you flush the heater core good and the block. Open the rad. petcock, you wil have to remove the black plastic pannel under Rad, then remove a heater hose and connect the garden hose to one end and flush with the Rad cap off then connect to the other end and flush. then put in coolant resivor and flush. If that does not calm the gauge down there is a tech service bulliten on that exact issue. In volve installing a heater bypass hose.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
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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!! THANKS
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
I hope not a head gasket. Oil and coolant both look super nice and clean. No white smoke out the exhaust at all. Never heard of that situation due to head gasket leak before, but I suppose it could create a big air pocket...I am hoping it was just all the down time and a little use and the stat will help. My fingers are crossed any way.