<!-- from fixya rte -->Drain the cooling system 2002 3.0 tarus - 2002 Ford Taurus

you can buy cooling system flush chemical at a store and do it at home.you will have to drain the cooling system into a drain bucket due to epa laws.then install the flush chemical and fill the system with water run the car to get it hot then drain the system again.refill with water again and repeat without the chemical to get as much of the chemical and coolant out of the system.then do a final drain and fill with coolant.it should hold about 2 jugs of anti-freeze don`t forget to do the overflow bottle as well.then you can have the anti-freeze checked for cold weather protection.

no it leaks idf there is a crack in the core, it could be plugged, or it could be heater valve not letting the coolent into the core. check on the firewall where the heater lines go into the core. there should be a valve, operate it manualy to see if there is a change in operation

There is a solinoid vent in the fuel system. It needs replacing

First when the engine is cool, you should drain the coolant from the radiator, being careful not to spill any, also keep pets away from anitfreeze as it is toxic to animals. then remove the thermostat cover, clean the mating surface, before replacing the thermostat. thake note of how the old thermostat is mounted and put the new one in the same direction. then reseal the housing, replace the fluid and run for a while. check the fluid level every few days and replace as necessay as your system works the air out.

YOU CAN GO TO YOUR LOCAL PARTS HOUSE AND A HAYNES BOOK IT WILL HAVE THE ELECTRICAL SCHEMATIC IN IT

This is probably a coolant sensor failing and giving a false value making the fans come on late.Simple and cheap repair but install this sensor to a cold engine when servicing the cooling system

There is a lot more to the cooling system than the radiator and thermostat. 97 and 98 taurus' are prone to cooling fan failure. They also have issues with the coolant turning to a rusty colored sludge that can plug the radiator, and it let go long enough can eat the fins off the impeller in the water pump even cause it to break free from the shaft.

the drain in on the back of the side tank of the radiator, not the bottom

its a pitcock facing the cab bottom of the radiator, plastic flat. once you find the pitcock just put a bucket underneath and turn it.then refill. if you want to flush(run fluid thru to clean it out) the radiator id suggest taking it in. you dont have to flush it every time you change the coolant out.

on right side of engine between valvle cover and intake (#8)

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
3. Drain the engine coolant below the level of the ECT sensor. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System in Cooling System.
4. Lower the vehicle.
5. Disconnect the electrical connector from the ECT sensor