[russharv63]

I have a 1993 ford taurus 3.8L V6 automatic GL. I had the water pump and drivebelt replaced about 3 months ago. The problem now is the coolant is backing up into the reservior and the car is overheating. I think it is the thermostat or radiator cap. What do you think?

[N0help4u]

I would start with replacing the thermostat. I have had that problem twice and that was what I had to do.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Don't drive the car, until you fix the problem; otherwise, you could warp the aluminum head and damage the valves. Don't overlook the possibility that the radiator may need replacing, which is not uncommon on older cars. Radiator corrosion has been a particular problem on some Tauruses. Extra radiator grounding straps have been required to keep electricity from flowing through the radiator and destroying the antifreeze (electrolyte). Has the antifreeze turned brown?

[Joecarguy]

I have a 1993 ford taurus 3.8L V6 automatic GL. I had the water pump and drivebelt replaced about 3 months ago. The problem now is the coolant is backing up into the reservior and the car is overheating. I think it is the thermostat or radiator cap. What do you think?

First of all, does the coolant in the bottle look like a strawberry milkshake? Sometimes the trans cooler inside the radiator leaks into the coolant and it really makes a terrible mess. If so, replace the radiator and all rubber hoses that coolant flows through because the trans fluid really deteriorates the hoses and you can't get the contamination of fluid out of the rubber. Do the thermostat too.
Otherwise, if the coolant looks somewhat normal I would do the thermostat first because it's cheaper and easier and you don't need to drain all the coolant to do it. If that doesn't work, then you need to do the radiator anyway.
[I]Disclaimer: I am not a tech but have been fixing my own stuff and have done hundreds of repairs and maintenance for friends and family over the past 25 years.[/I]

[DanPatrick10]

Had the same problem on my Z. Begin by replacing the radiator cap, then the thermostat. Give it a shot.