My coolant keeps overflowing into my exspansion tank. Need help!

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I have a 1997 ford taurus GL. It started running hot when i was done changing the head gaskets. I did a test to ckeck and see if there was a pressure leak from the cylinder heads in to the coolant channels, there was none. I flushed out the radiator and heating core and engine block. I have a new thermostat i put on but even with it installed or uninstalled my coolant still over flow in to exspansion tank. The coolant runs real good through the radiator and lines and my water pump dosnt leak and is operating properly. The car still runs hot thow and overflows with coolant. The radiator has been sprayed in its vents and my coolant fan come on at the rite time. I really need some help with this.

jrich4344 in Lake Charles LA

Jul 26, 2011

2 Replies

Popular Answer

patrick mannionon Jul 26, 2011

I have heard of some Ford water pumps having problems where the impeller would "spin" on the water pump shaft (Jaguar V8, VW and Audi)causing overheating problems. Are you sure the head gaskets are sealing properly, perhaps do a simple chemical test called a block test that looks for the presence of carbon monoxide in the cooling system (which would only be present if the head gasket was not sealing.Snap-On, Matco (part # CO 2000), and Napa sell a tool to check to carry out this test. Another link to a supplier of this tool is http://www.etoolcart.com/combustion-leak-detector-lis75500.aspx. Carbon Monoxide is only present if there is a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head. http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/head_gasket_or_combustion_leak_test.htm I think the Napa part number 700-1006. http://www.blockchek.com/instructions.htm . First of check the radiator cap and make sure the recovery part of the cap is working, make sure the sealing surface cap to radiator is good.

Visitoron Jul 26, 2011

I did the head gasket test and there was nothing showing. The exspansion tank car is new and I also tried another cap on it. Could it be that my coolant heating sensor is reading the temp wrong? But it still doesnt explain why the coolant keeps overflowing out the exspansion tank with or without the thermostat installed. There are no leaks and why wont the water pump not be working if water is circulating?

jrich4344on Jul 26, 2011

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user91328on Jul 26, 2011

i agree with Pat, but to add, when you did the head gaskets, did you have the heads checked for cracks?? A machine shoip can do this and if they are, it is time for new heads. I would start with the water pump. common failure with the impeller rusting out. Roy

jrich4344on Jul 27, 2011

Well the heads are new An they were checked. the water pump is spinning and there is no play on the pump wheel. Its circulating water. Can it be that my radiator has a clog somwhere in it and the water or coolant is not being cycled correctly?

user91328on Jul 27, 2011

radiator could definitely be the issue. remove it and have it flow tested at a radiator shop to confirm. Roy

Visitoron Jul 27, 2011

Ok thanks.

joetoeon Jan 9, 2013

Did you bleed the coolant system of all the air in the system do the car get heat.

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