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Showing posts with label taurus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taurus. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Overheating in a 1999 Ford Taurus

Overheating in a 1999 Ford Taurus

Ford introduced the Taurus in 1985. During its production run, the number of Taurus vehicles sold totaled over seven million. Ford ceased production of the Taurus in 1996. Though frustrating for drivers, an overheating Taurus does not have to signal disaster. A few maintenance interventions and some troubleshooting can keep the Taurus on the road and running normally.

Causes

    Several factors can cause or contribute to a Taurus overheating. A temperature gauge climbing into the red zone is a sign of overheating. A Taurus can overheat due to leaking hoses, coolant leaks to cylinders or oil, improper coolant levels, heat transfer problems or cooling system circulation issues. A failing water pump does not circulate water and coolant through the cooling system, interfering with proper temperature maintenance and cooling.

Prevention/Solution

    Observation is crucial and helps immensely in troubleshooting overheating causes. Look for signs of leakage that could be contributing to overheating in the Taurus. Yellow buildup near the oil cap can indicate a coolant leak going to the oil compartment. White smoky exhaust fumes indicates coolant is likely leaking to the engine cylinders. Locating and resolving leaks can fix overheating woes and prevent costlier repairs later. Make sure the radiator cap is securely capped so that the cooling system pressure is maintained. Replace components such as failing water pumps, thermostats or electrical fans. Maintain proper coolant levels, using a hydrometer to measure antifreeze concentration. The suggested mixture is a 50/50 ratio of water to ethylene glycol.

Warning

    Never open a hot radiator or attempt to work on a hot heating system. Allow the Taurus to cool before inspection. The cooling system is pressurized and can release dangerous pressure and scalding-hot fluids. Utilize care in coolant disposal and clean spills promptly, as pets could drink antifreeze left unattended.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

1998 Ford Taurus Power Steering Noise

Most cars will eventually develop some sort of noise or fault that will require a diagnosis. The Ford Taurus may exhibit noisy steering, which may have a number of causes.

Power Steering

    Your Taurus power steering pump could have become low on oil, which will cause it to make noise; check oil levels, and fill it if needed. You may also have a loose pulley, in which case you should correct and tighten it appropriately. Check the hoses for clogs, which can also cause noise; if none of the above solves the problem, your pump may be defective and need replacing.

Joints

    If the steering tends to make noise only when you turn the wheels, you may notice a knocking noise, which may result from a bad universal joint. The universal joint is a sort of knuckle joint that attaches between the wheel and the axle. When the bearing has gone bad, or the rubber cover has worn out, you will hear the knocking noise when you turn the wheels to the far left or right.

Fluids

    Power steering fluid plays an essential role in the smooth operation of the steering system. If the power steering fluid levels have become excessively low, top them off immediately and check them on a regular basis.

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