14th Nov 2006, 21:37
I just finished replacing the heater core on my 1999 3.0 Liter SE Taurus. The dealership confused me by saying that the heater core cannot be flushed, and I was a fool by taking their word for it. After removing the front panel and replacing the heater core (and the clamps on the hoses are a serious challenge, being pointed down and almost impossible to get to), I took the old heater core and flushed it with a garden hose. It is clear now, the dealership people were not completely honest. The heat is still not working, but both IN and OUT hoses are hot. Tomorrow I will check the damper operation and report on the progress.
The reason I am doing it myself is that I Just paid $936.00 to replace the rack and pinion assembly because of a leaking seal. At least, that what I was told.
19th Nov 2006, 11:59
I've got a 2000 Taurus with the same lack of heat problem. Blower blows correctly at all speeds, but no heat. I've changed the thermostat and checked the water pump for operation. Scary stuff about a possible head gasket leak into the engine. I'm taking the car this week to get it flushed completely since I don't have ready access to a garden hose.
22nd Nov 2006, 10:37
OK, after 30 yrs. of not trusting sales men and just buying the darn car from a salvage (can't lie about condition there) and fixing every little thing. I've learned that most vehicles have certain design flaws. BUT all have these TWO. #1. Newer engines tolerate NO OVERHEATING!!! These aren't the old cast iron V8's no more!! Blows head gaskets due to warped heads!! So used cars don't talk. #2. There is NO ANTI-OXIDENTs in hydraulic fluids due to endangered species act of 1991. Change trans fluid every 2 yrs. or use synthetics at 5x the price of cheap stuff, I do. Brake fluid collects water to protect your steel brake parts. FLUSH out every 2 yrs. DO NOT add sealants to coolant system-THEY PLUG YOUR HEATER CORE!!!
8th Dec 2006, 20:31
I have owned Ford Taurus from 1989, had 5 with a total 10044000 miles of service, change transmission fluid and add slick 50 at 30000 mile intervals, change oil at 3000 and add slick 50 every 50000, change anti freeze every 2 years, water pumps bad at 125000 miles, at 100000 miles redo water hoses, cut off metal and replace with regular heater hose and clamps, throttle position sensor can cause missing of engine every now and then when least expected. Had one transmission go out at 195000 on one taurus, junked; if buying used cars buy one that is a company car with regular maintenance high mileage does not hurt a maintained car, but expect water pumps, tie rod ends, belts and hoses to fail after 100,000 miles of use, same goes with shocks, struts. Pack wheel bearings, replace fuel filters, spark plugs and wires (Advance wires go bad in 30000 buy autolite, ford) 800500 where miles put on by my family, 243500 where on Fords when purchased. Total cost of cars 45000.00, cost per mile of my use is.o565 per mile (plus maintenance) my worst vehicles are a 1979 Chevolet truck (rust bomb) and renault Alliance did not hold up.
4th Jun 2007, 09:06
No heat in Taurus? The heater cores get plugged in these cars. Remove heater hoses from firewall and take a garden hose and flush the heater core first in one direction and then back in the other direction. I would then suggest changing the antifreeze in the engine before reconnecting the heater hoses. Use the old fashioned green "not all makes all models" antifreeze. NAPA auto stores still sells the old fashioned green stuff. Also its been said that the heater core suffers from galvanic (electrical) corrosion, so to fix that, clamp a piece of electrical wire to one side of heater core (a thin hose clamp works well) and ground the other end to the body.
23rd Sep 2007, 16:41
I recently bought a 1999 Taurus with 126,000 miles, from a junk yard.. It now has 136000..with no major problems so far, 1 major issue that it has is a loud pinging noise coming from the transmission area at idle, the rough shift from 1st to 2nd and rough downshifting. And 2nd the temp guage is always reading below the half mark. Not sure what is happening there if this is normal. I like the Taurus only because I can get parts from the junk yard in my area. this is my second.. the other is parked with the engine light on for shift solenoid transmission issue the dealer charged me 1500.00 to fix yeah right I will attempt to do it myself just changing the solenoid/ wires.
12th Nov 2007, 19:10
I, just want to make comments of appreciation, to the people who wrote the tips about resolving the heating problem with the flashing of the heater core with the garden hose it really works...
Now, heater in my 1999 Taurus SE works perfect.
Thank you to all the people who takes the time to help others.
Jesse. born in Mexico, North American by choice, loving this country.
5th Feb 2008, 01:45
Re: Ford Taurus 1999 24 valve engine
Are the heating problems the same with the 24 valve engine?
11th Feb 2008, 20:54
I have just purchased a 1999 Ford Taurus Feb. 6, 2008. It has been a really nice car, but I have noticed a heating problem. So today I have changed the thermostat & the heat has gotten really hot, but it will not stay hot. As I drive it seems to cool down a bit then get back hot then down again. It never seems to warm up & stay hot. But will check to see if my core is clogged within the next two days. My car guy just said today that the core may be clogged. So I guess that will help. I hope that is the problem cause everything else seems to be okay.
28th Feb 2008, 16:18
I bought a 2000 Taurus flex-fuel model in July of 2006. Since then I have had a blown transmission, broken torque converter, both fixed under warranty. Took 2 weeks and was slipping gears; then they had another week to fix that.
Now NOT under warranty:
The heater hose assembly rusted out, 2 ball joints, front wheel hub assembly, front strut mount, rear coil spring, oxygen sensor wire melted on eg tube and blew the transmission fuse. T-shop had it for a week then told me to bring to a wiring specialist.
Coolant tank developed a crack and leaked - replaced.
PCV valve hose rotted off, heater core clogged - replaced, wiper motor caught fire - there was a recall on the wiper motor and coil springs, but my vin# wasn't on the list.??
Recently I just replaced the front head gasket, and lower and upper intake manifold gaskets.
All that is in addition to all the normal stuff like brakes, tires, plugs, wires, filters, oil.
All is calm as of now, until next week the epic saga continues; every weeks a new adventure.
ONE THING'S FOR CERTAIN, NEVER EVER BUY A TAURUS!
8th Nov 2006, 08:20
Looks like I'm in the same boat. I bought mine new back in 1999 and I began having heater problems a year and a half ago. I've had the system flushed and the heater core replaced twice. By reading the comments here, I guess I'll try replacing the water pump next, just great. I don't think I'll be buying Ford again.