2002 Sable - Heating problem - Ford Forums

relmorph · 11-08-2008, 09:55

I have a 2002 Sable that is not throwing heat. I have not had time to take a serious look at it, but I hope to get it in the garage tomorrow and I was hoping for suggestions for what to look for. I know for sure that it is leaking antifreeze, but have not had time to do more than look under the hood - don't see an obvious leak. It appears to be somewhere in the vicinity of the lower radiator hose or in that front corner. When I checked it out last weekend (it was a warmer day - maybe 50's), the reservoir was empty. I filled it to normal and ran the car for about 20 - 30 minutes. It took probably 20 minutes to come up to the halfway point on the temp gauge, but still was not throwing heat. When I looked back under the hood, the reservoir was full to the top. At the time I did not notice any leakage, but when I went to turn the car off, the low coolant light was on (next morning there was a puddle). It was putting out heat at that time. (I don't remember if I looked at the reservoir after that) I drove it to work to see what it was doing - Made sure the reservoir was full. It's about a 30 mile drive. It did not throw any heat at all, but never went past the halfway point on the temp gauge. About a mile from work the low coolant light came on. Before heading home I re-filled the reservoir and it was the same on the trip home except that the low coolant light never came on. Now the leak is very obvious - leaving a trail down the driveway. Is a leaky hose enough to keep it from heating but not overheat? The only other thing I have had time to do is check to see that the top radiator hose is hot. Not familiar with newer engines - particularly these sideways engines. Going to consult my car book today to see where things are (like the water pump, etc...). I don't recall ever running into a problem with other cars where it didn't throw heat, but didn't overheat. Also not much of a mechanic, but I try to fix the easy stuff when I can. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

**Sterling_Six** · 11-08-2008, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by relmorph

I have a 2002 Sable that is not throwing heat. I have not had time to take a serious look at it, but I hope to get it in the garage tomorrow and I was hoping for suggestions for what to look for. I know for sure that it is leaking antifreeze, but have not had time to do more than look under the hood - don't see an obvious leak. It appears to be somewhere in the vicinity of the lower radiator hose or in that front corner. When I checked it out last weekend (it was a warmer day - maybe 50's), the reservoir was empty. I filled it to normal and ran the car for about 20 - 30 minutes. It took probably 20 minutes to come up to the halfway point on the temp gauge, but still was not throwing heat. When I looked back under the hood, the reservoir was full to the top. At the time I did not notice any leakage, but when I went to turn the car off, the low coolant light was on (next morning there was a puddle). It was putting out heat at that time. (I don't remember if I looked at the reservoir after that) I drove it to work to see what it was doing - Made sure the reservoir was full. It's about a 30 mile drive. It did not throw any heat at all, but never went past the halfway point on the temp gauge. About a mile from work the low coolant light came on. Before heading home I re-filled the reservoir and it was the same on the trip home except that the low coolant light never came on. Now the leak is very obvious - leaving a trail down the driveway. Is a leaky hose enough to keep it from heating but not overheat? The only other thing I have had time to do is check to see that the top radiator hose is hot. Not familiar with newer engines - particularly these sideways engines. Going to consult my car book today to see where things are (like the water pump, etc...). I don't recall ever running into a problem with other cars where it didn't throw heat, but didn't overheat. Also not much of a mechanic, but I try to fix the easy stuff when I can. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

This could be a varity of things....It sound like a classic Thermostat problem...or a Cloged Heater Core...

I believe your leak is coming from your Return Hose on the bottom...or leading into the Firewall.

Good luck, and keep us advise 6

**jwko** · 11-08-2008, 17:34

The coolant tank on the Taurus/Sable are notorious about leaking. Had a similar problem last summer with my tank which I though was the hose leaking because the coolant was running down the fender well. I'm betting that's your problem. There are different tanks for the SOHV & DOHC engines & Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto is the cheapest place I found to buy one. It's also a good time to change out the water pump while the tank is out, That is if you have a lot of miles on that pump.

Are both heater hoses going through the firewall hot?

**tbird100636** · 11-08-2008, 23:38

I have seen the heater tubes on the firewall rotting out too.

relmorph · 11-19-2008, 06:10

Thanks. Finally got time to put it in the garage and discovered a crack in the metal pipe that the lower radiator hose connects too, so I guess that solves the leak question. Looking for a price from the dealer on that part, then I guess I will see what happens once I get the leak stopped.