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Author
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Topic: Taurus Running Hot
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JoeC
Journeyman Posts: 96
From: Springfield, MA.
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 06-14-2006 10:10 AM
 
I know we've got a few Ford techs out there, so I'd appreciate your advice and expertise on this question regarding my daughter's 1993 Taurus GL Wagon (3.0 V6)- The car has been in our family since new, now has about 113K on it. I've maintained it exceptionally well, synthetic oils in the motor/tranny/power steering since 2K, all maintenance on time, and even after 113K it burns absolutely no oil at all. Recently the temperature gauge is showing its starting to run a little hotter than normal (it was always in the middle of the gauge, between the R and M of Normal, now its running between the M and A, and creeping up near the L). Here's the history and what I've done so far -
* Radiator and thermostat replaced in July 2001 (83.5K)
* Water Pump and Tensioner replaced in March 2003 (96K)
* New Serpentine belt around January 2005
* Last Cooling System Flush/Change in February 2005 (107K)
* New Radiator Cap April 2006 (112K)
* Added bottle of Redline Water Wetter May 2006 (112.5K) I see no leaks whatsoever and I am not losing coolant. When I removed the radiator cap and tested the coolant (it tested fine), but I did notice a few specs of rust in the coolant (not many). I checked to make sure the fan turn on, and it does. I made sure the radiator fins were not caked up with bugs or crud and cleans it with my garden hose sprayer as best I could. I also ran the car in the driveway with the radiator cap off to see if perhaps there was some air in the system and after running for a few minutes I have to shut the car off as the fluid level start to rise in the radiator as the car heats up. When the fan cycles on, the temperature gauge goes right down to the normal reading (between R and M of Normal on the gauge). I drove the car for a bit and what seems odd is that the reading can go up both when at a stop or when moving (which I would not normally expect as more air should be circulating though the radiator when in motion). Someone suggested that perhaps the sending unit/sensor might be bad but I'm at a loss on what to do at this point. Any clues, advice, suggestions would be most appreciated. Before I take it anywhere I want to make sure I have a clue so I don't get taken for a ride. Thanks all. ------------------
Joe C.
2000 V6 Convertible
2003 V6 Convertible
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 06-14-2006 10:20 AM
Sounds like you've covered all the bases. I'd be interested in confirming engine temperature with a mechanical gauge before going any further. Is it really hot? Or is your 13 year old temp gauge messing up?
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SkinnyMan
Gearhead Posts: 916
From: Tupelo, MS - USA (CA temporarily)
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 06-14-2006 01:47 PM
quote:
Originally posted by JoeC:
Recently the temperature gauge is showing its starting to run a little hotter than normal (it was always in the middle of the gauge, between the R and M of Normal, now its running between the M and A, and creeping up near the L).
I always refered to the tem between "M" and "A" as right between the two Guys - Norm and Al.Have you checked the sensor for the fan. Maybe it's not kicking in at the right time. ------------------
SkinnyMan
Tupelo, MS Thank you, Thank you very much!
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Toronado3800
Gearhead Posts: 1163
From: St. Louis, MO
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 06-14-2006 03:52 PM
I believe on my car if you turn the A/C compressor to on you get the fan to kick on automatically. Think it was that way on the 80s F bodies as well. Also remember seeing an 80s F body which had the air dam busted off and kept overheating because of poor air flow. Maybe this will help you diagnose things. Good luck.
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exlocal
Gearhead Posts: 1552
From: hacienda hts., CA, USA
Registered: Dec 2004
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posted 06-14-2006 11:14 PM
Another thought is to pressure check the cooling system. Just the smallest leak which sometimes is not visible can cause high temperatures due to pressure leaking.Also, maybe hoses collapsing as I didn't see anything about hoses being changed. ------------------
reliving youth
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 06-15-2006 09:39 AM
After you've confirmed the engine is in fact running hot, replace the thermostat again. "Thermostat" and "quality control" are two things you can't link in a sentence. Out of 10 new ones, 3 will be bad.
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johnmustang
Gearhead Posts: 6748
From: British Columbia , Canada
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 06-15-2006 10:51 AM
My Taurus wagon with the same engine as yours was having the same problem, I changed the T-stat and it did not make a difference. I had the system pressure tested and all was pretty good.What I ended up doing was a trick my dad ( pretty smart guy   ) taught me years and years ago. I drained about 1/2 the fluid out of the car and added the same amount back in but I used "PICKLING VINEGAR", yup I said pickling vinegar. I then ran the car for 30 minutes let it cool down and repeated the entire process again. After I was done I completely drained the system then ran my garden hose into the rad until it was full turned on the car and let it idle for 45 minutes with the hose running in the rad to flush the system. I then once again drained the system and added 70% water and 30% antifreeze. The car ran absolutely fine and the temperature went back to where it was before. I now do this once a year with all of my cars and it really helps keep everything clean and cool. ------------------
JOHN
65 FASTBACK 2+2
87 TAURUS WAGON
03 F150 XLT SUPER CREW 4X4 SHORT BOX
Member: PACIFIC COAST MUSTANG ASSOCIATION
Member:Vancouver Island Mustang Association
M&M #1710
65 FASTBACK
2003 F150 XLT SUPER CREW 4X4
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 06-15-2006 11:14 AM
I can see it, after all, you run vinager thru the coffee maker to remove the build-up, why not a radiator.------------------
William
The easiest way to find something lost, is to buy a replacement. 68 Coupe
289
C4
3:55's/Trac-Lok
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johnmustang
Gearhead Posts: 6748
From: British Columbia , Canada
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 06-15-2006 11:57 AM
quote:
Originally posted by johnmustang:
My Taurus wagon with the same engine as yours was having the same problem, I changed the T-stat and it did not make a difference. I had the system pressure tested and all was pretty good.What I ended up doing was a trick my dad ( pretty smart guy ) taught me years and years ago. I drained about 1/2 the fluid out of the car and added the same amount back in but I used "PICKLING VINEGAR", yup I said pickling vinegar. I then ran the car for 30 minutes let it cool down and repeated the entire process again. After I was done I completely drained the system then ran my garden hose into the rad until it was full turned on the car and let it idle for 45 minutes with the hose running in the rad to flush the system. I then once again drained the system and added 70% water and 30% antifreeze. The car ran absolutely fine and the temperature went back to where it was before. I now do this once a year with all of my cars and it really helps keep everything clean and cool.
I forgot to mention that when you run the vinegar (2 times, both times clean new pickling vinegar, must be pickling vinegar) through your system make sure that the T-stat is out.
Also when you run the hose in the rad to flush everything out make sure the T-stat is out. Replace T-stat when you are ready to replace the fluids with water and antifreeze.
------------------
JOHN
65 FASTBACK 2+2
87 TAURUS WAGON
03 F150 XLT SUPER CREW 4X4 SHORT BOX
Member: PACIFIC COAST MUSTANG ASSOCIATION
Member:Vancouver Island Mustang Association
M&M #1710
65 FASTBACK
2003 F150 XLT SUPER CREW 4X4
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