[candacedianne]

My 98 Taurus is leaking coolant. It doesn't appear to be from the overflow and it is not over heating or even running low. We came back to the car from being in a store yesterday and there was a big stream of coolant on the ground. Nothing since, just when my husband put more coolant in the reservoir after it had cooled off, then it poured out again. I drove to work this morning and it was smoking under the hood and my temps were below normal (we put a new low-temp thermostat in about 5 months ago) but did rise considering it is the low-temp therm. Coolant was leaking somewhere, but never made it to the ground. He did check the radiator and it is holding water. The fans do kick on as well.
On a side note, if it matters, we had problems with the heat and had it fixed and now we have to fix the a/c (a known problem from day one).
Any advice or tips for troubleshooting? We are expecting our first baby any day and I don't want to be stranded on the side of the road, even though we have AAA. Thanks in advance!!!

[Skyhawk]

If you cannot find an obvious trail of fluid then the best way to find the leak is to pressurize the system and look for the leak. Auto Zone and other auto parts store will rent test equipment and you should be able to rent a pressure testor for your cooling system. If not you should be able to get a local shop to find the leak for you for a fee. Also note that you should use ONLY the factory engineered temperature thermostat (OEM). Coolant temperature is an integral part of the overall electronic engine control system (computerized engine control). If you are having problems with the cooling system then you may need a back flush (cooling system flush) or other cooling system repairs, e.g. water pump, hoses (collapsed), clamps that have lost their tension, etc.

[candacedianne]

Thanks! We think it may be the low-temp thermostat, so we are going to switch it out tonight and if it doesn't fix it then we will take it to a local shop and have them pressurize it for $35. I just hope its not the header gasket or cracked head. The oil looks smooth and the leak is coming from the front, so that's good.

[candacedianne]

Turns out the head gaskets are leaking pressure....my husband may try to replace them on his own to avoid paying $850.

[Pletchaj]

Has your husband ever done this before? If not ENLIST HELP! this is not an easy task and with a child on the way you could end up over your head! For example your supposed to replace the head bolt when you do it, the torque stretches the bolt and there not "supposed to be good after torqued" and there is a tighting sequence and there is alot of stuff to unbolt to get down to that head ... and have the heads pressure tested while they are off to make sure the head isnt the problem and the gasket was good after all! Your husband may already know this im just concerned you may get in over your head! Example my explorer i though was just the gasket ... took the heads to get pressure tested just in case, and guess what both were cracked the gaskets were good!

This is just caution, you can get over your head quick ... you might be able to find a backyard mechanic ... licensed ... who will do it for half that price ... just a thought ... but if he can do it go for it