Comments: 1-15, 16-24
Car would overheat when at slow speed or at stop lights.
I began trying to fix the overheating problem by taking the car to a local auto shop and they changed the radiator, this did not correct the problem. I then felt that I should take it to a Ford Dealer, which I did and they charged me fifteen hundred problem to change the headgasket. I left on a long trip and found that I had the same problem on my trip. When I returned I took it back to the dealer and ask them to fix it. They told me as far as they were concerned it was fixed (of course it was not fixed.) I sent an e-mail to Mercury and they pretty much told me the same thing and they refused to help me. I finally had to trade the car for a new one (not a Ford) so someone else is suffering with the problem.
If I didn't know any better, that sounds like the fans aren't turning on.
I have a 1992 MERCURY SABLE GS that has a history of overheating. It is constantly overheating. The temperature is high and even adding water and cooler to the radiator the temperature does not low. It might have a leak and it has a water jacket as well since I noticed a strong odor and smoke coming out of the exhauster trim. The local dealer told me the head-gaskets are damaged. To fix the problem would cost more than the value of the car.
Get a cooler running thermostat and like previously stated, check to make sure your fans are coming on. My best guess would be faulty thermostat sticking closed.
Hello. I have also experienced this "OVERHEATING" phenomenon with my 1997 Mercury Sable GS... to the tune of over $1500!!! I am currently having another engine installed! I also have taken this 1997 mercury sable GS to the dealer (numerous times!!), and also to a radiator specialist, as well as other auto repair "experts" and I have yet to hear the cause of, or find the location of the overheating?! No one seems to have ANY idea?! Try having to CONSTANTLY shift the transmission into "neutral" EACH & EVERY TIME you come to a stop light, or ANY driving situation that causes you to stop for longer than a few seconds, and having to "raise" the engine to FORCE the coolant through the engine! I mean that LITERALLY!! Talk about wanting to find the design engineers and ^&%^%%* their a$$!! Eventually my engine LOCKED UP on me while on the freeway!? (Ahhh... what a lovely day!) This was in 2002. PLEASE!!! Does ANYONE now have ANY more information that may enlighten me as to "what in the %$@ is going on" with these 1997 sables? Oh yea... I purchased this car "brand-spanking new" from a Mercury dealer, so I know that this problem didn't arise out of "previous owner abuse!"
I own a 97 Mercury Sable, and I am also suffering from it overheating on occasion. Also some electrical problems have occurred that I am currently having problems with. I suspect that the radiator has something to do with that as well. The fuses in the engine compartment of my vehicle are located directly over the rad, and when I had inspected the fuses, they have a white film over them, which is disturbing contact and causing certain malfunctions. Although this is only a hypothesis, I am still stuck with Headlights that fail, daytime running lights that stay on until the fuse is pulled. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to resolve this problem?
Morris -Ottawa.
I am really scared because my 1995 Mercury Sable has just started over heating. Does anyone have suggestion or should I just trade it in.
I have wasted a lot of money on mercury sables and cougar. They simply are no good.
I like my '97 Sable GS. It is in good shape with no rust, but... you guessed it, I am on my second transimission, going for three (after 3 this car is out!), heater core has been replaced too. My interior lights remain sometimes when door is shut. I spent over $2,000 on my last transmission. Not even 25,000 miles later I am having the problem de ja vu all over again! I have some other petty problems that are frustrating therefore I would not let my worst enemy purchase a Sable/Taurus. They have terrible resale value. I am definetely through with Fords!
I have a 1996 Sable that decided it too would like to overheat. A few things I have tried to no avail are as follows. First I replaced the thermostat, noticing all the cooked coolant present I took it in and got the system flushed twice. Well that didn’t fix it so I thought maybe the thermostat got all gunked up or something so I just took it right out (still looked fine). This helped a little, but if it is in the upper 70’s outside it still overheats and pisses coolant all over. I have heard that the head gasket may need to be replaced, but from what I read here that isn’t the fix. I’m thinking the water pump may be junk or something, but that job is worth more than the car. Given how common this problem appears to be you’d think there is some kind of fix for it.
I too, am feeling your pain as to the dealing with of my overheating 96 mercury sable gs. It overheats in heavy traffic or when sitting still longer than 3 to 4 minutes. I have been to 3 certified mechanics that ended up costing me about a $1000 but never fixed the problem. Replaced thermostat, upper intake manifold gasket, 2 hoses, flushed and changed fluid, replaced reservior tank... and I was just about to replace the radiator with a new one, but I thought... what if this doesn't fix the problem either?...somebody please help!
I had the post on the 6th so I figured I'd give an update. I replaced the water pump yesterday, the old one was dead. The impeller was totally trashed out; it was like a sheet of paper. It is cooling better now and the heater actually works. I am still waiting to see if it is going to stop boiling coolant out though.
I have a 1997 Mercury Sable with 99,000 miles. The car experienced overheating in traffic with the air conditioner on. I parked the car and observed antifreeze leaking from the reservoir overflow tank and the antifreeze boiling. I took the car to my mechanic and he observed the thermostat was not properly installed (arrow imprinted on the thermostat must align with the upper hose). The thermostat misalignment created a restricted coolant flow from the upper radiator hose through the thermostat and ultimately damaged the impeller blades (ex. ceiling fan blades) inside the water pump. This condition created an unusual temperature rise (with/without coolant) in the water pump causing all the impeller blades to partially melt and bend backwards limiting the coolant flow and causing overheating. In conclusion, the mechanic replaced the radiator pressure cap, thermostat and water pump. So far, the car is operating under normal temperature range.
Our 1997 Sable was overheating and we had it flushed out 4 times within 3 months. Maybe the thermostat was improperly placed, I don't know. But after the 4th flush, it finally has worked normally for the last year or more. I do know that junk kept coming out each time it was flushed, maybe it should have had the antifreeze changed regularly to begin with (before I bought it).
I have a 1997 Mercury Sable with 121,000. Until 3 weeks ago - I thought it was the car from heaven. It road well, great mileage and had a lot of room for my family. I was driving down the road and all of a sudden the oil light came on and just seconds later the car shut off.
We are very good at changing the oil regularly, it is definitely a "well-taken care of" vehicle. So anyhow, we coast it to the side of the road and a man standing on the sidewalk happened to own a garage up the road. He states that he heard a tap noise just before it shut off - which I lightly heard just before it shut off. He states he thinks it is the oil pump and that the fuel pump has a sensor that will automatically shut off the engine to keep it from blowing. WELL! My husband takes it apart and finds that the oil pump is shot with metal slivers in it. The shaft/drive, etc are shot and that metal pieces were laying in the oil pan. Now how did all this happen in not even one minute? With all of these warning gauges - why did something not happen sooner? Something failed. and failed terribly...
Until this moment - I would have driven this car for years - as long as it would allow me. Now I'm concerned because we are thinking about putting a new engine in it. I'm afraid that it may not be worth doing if these vehicles are known for overheating, etc. (Although mine never overheated).
Thanks for the input.
I had a 99 Sable GS with 213K miles on it before I lent it to a friend. The thermostat on the car went and he drove it til the engine seized. Make sure the fans come on first. The radiator, water pump, and thermostat should be changed regularly. They are not maintenance items, but they should be changed to prevent overheating. If the problem still persists, try using the radiator additive to run the car cooler or a larger radiator from an F150 (or something to the likes of it) I'm not sure if it will fit, but you get the idea.