Automotive Business Talk

Guest · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Taurus Temperature Problem

I did have it tested and there were combustion gases in the coolant. I
don't know if theu are still detectable after adding the sealant. I
am going to get rid of the car despite it being in really good
condition except for this problem.

If I were going to keep it, I would just replace the water pump,
test/replace the radiator, test/replace the temperature sensor,
replace the hoses, pull the head/repair, and replace the head gaskets.
I could do most of the work myself and the replacement parts are not
that expensive.

But the car is not a collectible and I am not a used car dealer so I
am going to trade it in. I am trying to determine from the symptoms
where the likely problem is and fix just that problem. I have one
more clue and then I am probably done and will just move on to a new
vehicle:

I took the car for a ride yesterday. I drove it 10 miles. The
temperature was perfect until I stopped at a red light. It then began
to rise slowly. I was at my destination about 1/4 mile from the light
and the temperature had risen to the high end of the safe range.

I parked the car and used another vehicle to run some errands for
about an hour. When I returned, I drove the car about five miles with
the temperature normal. I then had to stop at a red light and the
temperature shot up. It never returned to the normal range as I drove
the remaining five miles home. It was not at the red but was probably
about 80-90% of the way there. I stopped at the mail box and the car
started pinging. I immediately drove the 1/4 mile home and stopped
the car. Some smoke was coming off the firewall side of the engine.
The temperature gauge was about the same as when I stopped at the
mailbox. What's up with this?

Please keep in mind that the car does not seem to loose coolant while
driving. But it boils out when the vehicle is stopped.

Thanks.

Arnie Quarry · Guest

am going to get rid of the car despite it being in really good
condition except for this problem.

So in other words, you're going to sell a lemon to an innocent stranger.