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Submitted 153 days ago...
Is the problem the heater core or possibly a head gasket problem?
Hi, we have a 98 Taurus SE, with 133,000 miles on it. This past winter
the heat quit working. couldn't get any heat at all. Then the temp. gauge would be pegged all the time. Even driving it short distances.
I was told that this model of Ford has had major problems with the heater cores and that's what we were told the problem is in their opinion. Another person said if the gauge is pegged, it's not a heater core problem but probably a gasket gone bad. We have had no leaks of antifreeze into the car compartments, yes, some fogging inside but I attributed this to the fact that the heater wouldn't work so naturally the inside would get fogged up. Either problem sounds very costly and we can't afford to buy another car right now. My husband uses it to drove to work only a few miles to work. We're too afraid to get it on the highway and have it overheat. Any ideas on some tests we can do first to help rule out some problems?
Thank you
sharon
Answer 1 / 6
Submitted 153 days ago...
Answer 2 / 6
Submitted 152 days ago...
Hi, I wanted to let you know that the gauge is not pegging anymore since we had an oil change and added coolant last week. The engine cooling fan is working, and no leaking under the car SO FAR and my husband turned the heater on today and actually got heat coming out of the vents. Could it be that we just needed coolant all this time? Of course it is summer time and the heat felt hot coming out but maybe int he winter that won't seem very hot, not sure but I think this is a good sign that maybe we aren't dealing with heater core or gasket problems afterall. The Engine cooling fan was working too and
we checked the coolant resevoir and there asn't much in it but my husband said it won't until the engine heats up more. Do you think we may have solved this problem or is this just wishful thinking?
Sharon
Answer 3 / 6
Submitted 152 days ago...
Well when the coolant is gone . theres nothing to carry the heat.away from the engine so you may have fixed it. hopefully. also check if you have a battery thats got water in . it. and fill it also. they lose water like any thing else in the hot weather. and a dead battery is not funny!but if you need any help let webanswers know . and we will help all we can . glad its looking better.
Answer 4 / 6
Submitted 151 days ago...
If the anti-freeze level keeps dropping and there are no puddles on the ground there is good chance that a head gasket is starting to leak into the cylinder , if that happens for to long ,it will damage the cylinder head . The last head gasket job i did cost over 200.00 and that was just part's,i'm sure the cylinder head's are a lot more.
Answer 5 / 6
Submitted 150 days ago...
Hi, thanks for all of the great answers to the question about my car. We noticed a little leak on the ground of coolant but we think it was due to the fact that my husband had filled the resevoir and didn't use a funnel right away and it dripped but then we did manage to find one and we did take it out on the highway and it stayed in between the H & C so that was great news. We havent' checked it this a.m. yet. A friend of ours said to check it this a.m. to be sure the level is at the cool fill line?. The air worked great, the heat seems to be working but again it is summer right now and not sure how hot that will get in the winter. We will cehck again for any drips today too. Maybe it's a hose leaking. IF this continues to work somewhat, would anyone recommend a good flush of the radiatir and cooling system or should we leave it alone? It's not ever been done since we've owned this car but NOW I understand the importance of doing this so what's your opinions on this? WE feel SO relieved that it's not the heater core, a gasket problem isn't much better so we will look into that too. I pray it's not.
That can run pretty expensive. Let me know what your opinions are about this.
Thanks again!
Sharon
It will not hurt to flush the whole system , it builds up . rust and other goop in the system , that can affect the heat. and coolant that runs thur the engine. and will stop a thermostat up . and keep it from opening up to let the engine cool down at hot temps. so yes do this and save more money then it will cost for a flush. you can do this at home. not very hard to do . just go to a auto parts store. and tell them what you want. just put the stuff in the rad. run it for the time it tells you on the bottle . drain . out from the bottom . of the rad. there a wing nut there underneath to do this. put in new anti freeze. and thats it. oh yes . and always drain anti freeze . and dont let any dogs or cats drink this . it will kill them . it has a sweet taste. and they will drink it . hope this helps!
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