1998 Ford Taurus engine and engine cooling problems

“AFTER DRIVING ABOUT A MILE, THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED AND BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. STOPPED THE CAR AND THOUGHT OF OPENING THE HOOD BUT SAW FLAMES. THREE ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN (5 AND 2 YRS OLD) GOT OUT OF THE CAR. CALLED POLICE AND FIRE SERVICE. BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE, THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. THE ENGINE AND FRONT ROW SEATS WERE TOTALLY BURNT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE (MYSTERIOUS) FIRE. THIS HAPPENED IN MIAMI, FLORIDA. *TR”

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING IT OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY EXHIBIT A NO-START CONDITION. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 167000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD BECOME EXCESSIVELY HOT. UPDATED 12/08/09*JB”

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER HEARD A GUSHING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OIL WAS OBSERVED LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET. THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS BETWEEN 42,000-44,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.”

“FORD TAURUS 1998 ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR (PLASTIC CONTAINER) SPRUNG A LEAK ON THE BOTTOM SIDE. NO INDICATION OF ANY RUBBING AGAINST ANYTHING. I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT FROM AN ON-LINE INTERNET PARTS WHOLESALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD MANY ORDERS FOR REPLACEMENT FORD TAURUS ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR BOTTLES. I NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM ON ANY PREVIOUS CAR THAT I HAVE OWED BEFORE. *TR”

“ENGINE OIL IS LEAKING ON EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM BACK SIDE OF ENGINE. STRONG SMELL AND OIL ON GROUND' 81,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW. REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKETS. STILL LEAKING OIL. *TR”