21st Jan 2007, 18:29

We had a '98 Sable with the same problem. We had several engine flushes done, and brown water and gunk came out each time, and it helped the heat a little. But I also think that during a trip to the garage for a totally unrelated issue, the mechanics did "something" in the area of something bolted to the intake manifold, and voila, heat! Sorry I can't remember what it was, it was just some stupid, simple little thing, a loose wire, a sticking valve, a burned vacuum line, something not even related to the thermostat, heater core, or engine flushes. Something on top of the engine that just took a minute to fix by hand. I think it was something to do with the heater control, like the knob you turn on the dash wasn't actually opening the vent or the ducts to the heating system, so the car didn't "know" the heat was supposed to be on.

24th Jan 2007, 13:15

If you paid $500 to have a thermostat replaced I think that heat is the least of your worries. This can be done for $10 tops in about 20 minutes.

4th May 2007, 10:52

1999 Ford Taurus with 106,000 miles. The secret to getting heat is to flush, then reverse flush the heater core. If you look at the hoses to the heater core, you will notice that there is also a bypass hose connected between the heater core input hose and output hose. This bypass hose was a quick fix such that in case the core got clogged it would not clog the entire system. Once a year every November, I disconnect the hoses from the heater core and hook up my garden hose to the inlet and flush it with high pressure for about 10 minutes, then reverse flush through the outlet. Gives me all the heat I want. A shop will do a radiator flush with a pressurized machine and guess what? The flush goes right thru the heater core bypass hose. You have to manually flush the heater core itself. And yes the 1999 Taurus uses up about a quart of antifreeze every few thousand miles. Check your radiator cap. The cheap plastic cap has a tendency to fail after a while and cannot hold pressure and your fluid will slowly leak and evaporate. Suggest replacement once a year. Hope this helps someone. Mark.

27th Jun 2007, 00:04

Just took our '99 Taurus in yesterday for an oil change, look-see at the brakes and a once over to get the heater working again. Our heater just went out a few weeks ago. Same things as other posters, radiator flush, pressure check no good. No heat, they mentioned we need a new reservoir, but with all the OTHER things they did we couldn't afford anything else. Brakes, tires, tensioner etc. I may see if I can find a good honest reliable mechanic instead of Midas. Anyway, we still have no heat and they said probably need a new heater core at over $1000 mostly labor. No thanks. I'll see if someone can do the water pump and reservoir for less than that and see what happens.

We've broken down once on the freeway (alternator died). Gas mileage on the freeway is pretty good and I really do like driving the Taurus, it has nice power. A little too big for downtown Seattle parking, but we do always take it on the long road trips. Plenty of space for everyone.

21st Sep 2007, 11:22

I got my 97 Taurus in 2003 with only 5k miles on it... NOW it has 160k miles on it. I love my car, but it hates me. In the last month it has over-heated 4 times. The 1st time I blew my radiator cap. So I added coolant and replaced the cap, no problem. Then about 2 weeks later I had the outtake hose blow off my water pump. We clamped it back on and added coolant/water, no prob.

Then a week later my car overheated on my way to work, turned off the air and took back roads to ad-void traffic, no problem. Then on the way home from work, it over heated again, added more coolant/water, no problem.

Next day I took it to a friend to have him take a look; my radiator reservoir tank was leaking (I just replaced it in May of 06). We put a new tank on, to be safe put a new thermostat on as well. We tried to flush the system out, but you have to run your heated to do it, well I turned my heater on full blast and nothing, but cold air. The hoses were all hot, the water was hot, but COLD air. Turns out I need a new water pump too... Normally I wouldn't care about the heater cause I live in TX and its HOT, but winter is cold and some nights get down to FrrEEZZZING, and if it wasn't for my kids I would just bundle up, but I don't need them sick.

13th Nov 2007, 17:41

I just replaced thermostat, flushed heater core, but still no heat. I checked coolant which was green not the brown stuff. When flushed core clean water came. Hate to put in water pump if do not need. Any idea's how to tell, comments would be very appreciated.

24th Nov 2007, 19:39

Doesn't anybody read the technical service bulletins? Ford TSB #02-23-6 covers this very issue. It is just a secondary blend door that distorts and binds. Ford has a new redesigned part for the "easy" fix. (Part #3FIZ-19D842-AA) It takes about 2 or 3 hours and the part is less than $6.00. Many shops find this out after charging the customer hundreds of dollars and multiple return repairs.

3rd Dec 2007, 20:06

I have had my 99 Ford Taurus since day one. My transmission went at 49K. I now have 122,000 miles and on my second radiator. Additionally, the rotors seem to warp after just getting them replaced. I have read all the other comments and they are correct by stating stay away.

23rd Dec 2007, 22:39

I own a 1999 Taurus SE. Bought it with 63000 miles or so. Changed belts and all the fluids, checked brakes and cleaned it up. Now I have 88000 miles after four years, and I having the first problem. No heat, not even luke warm. Fortunately I live in Northern California were it is fairly warm even in the winter. I will look into the recall kit this week and see if Ford can get me one. The car is not over heating, so I would tend to think that the water pump should be functioning correctly. I do all my own mechanic work, and sometimes it's a learning experience, normally cheaper than paying a Ford mechanic.