Water not retrieving from over flow bottle

Go buy a small bottle of dishwashing liquid. Drain your water/oil out of the car. Refill with straight water and the bottle of soap. Start the engine and let it warm up to operating temperature so the soapy water has a chance to circulate. Drive around the block if you want to, or just let the engine run warm for a few minutes. Stop the engine and drain the soapy water out. Refill with water only, warm up the engine. Drain again and fill with 50/50 premix. Hope for the best.

Make sure all the drains are closed, start filling the rad and allow the coolant time to drain down, then fill again. Keep filling the rad unit it no longer drains down, just make sure to stop filling it when the level in the rad is just barely visible when looking down inside it. Now fill the overflow bottle to the lowest level mark. Start the car and turn you heater on to full heat. Let it warm up to proper temp, may/may not need to put more in rad. Keep an eye on the level in the rad it will expand and may overflow, if it looks like it will overflow use yout tester to remove some fluid. Once you see the coolant flowing throug the rad wait a few minutes, then put the rad cap on. Let it run a few more minutes to get the rest of the air out, then drive like normal. Check the fluid level in the overflow bottle (engine cold) over the next few days fill to proper level as needed.

The most common causes of a water cooled engine overheating are (1) poor circulation of cooling fluid (bad water pump or stopped up radiator); or (2) inadequate air flow cooling (bad cooling fan); or (3) compression gases entering the cooling system (leaking head gasket or cracked block or head). The first check is to see if air is in the cooling fluid (small bubbles appearing in top of radiator or coolant reserve tank). If so, then #3 is the problem. The second check is to see if the cooling fan (s) is running properly (can feel air flow on output side?). If not check wiring and/or replace fan (#2). The last step is to drain the radiator and engine (turn over engine to allow water pump to empty the block). If additional cooling fluid does not drain out the radiator drain port, the water pump is defective. If the water pump does empty the block, then flush the system with a good flushing agent. Follow instructions on flushing agent bottle. Drain out the flushing agent and re-fill radiator and block with clear water. Run engine as per instructions on flush agent bottle. Drain system again and re-fill with antifreeze (50%) and water (50%). If vehicle is located in a very cold climate, then increase the antifreeze % up to 75% (25% water). Remember, not only does antifreeze help to keep water from freezing, but it also helps to increase cooling ability.

I'm guessing you can't find it because it's in a separate housing or located under the lower battery tray in the housing (depending on model of engine). Even though this is specific for 1998; I believe it's the same for 1996-1999 Taurus's. I have access to illustrations, but only .gif and/or .bmp extensions were available which would not copy here. If you need these, I will try an extension change to .jpg. Good luck, this should be enough info. It is helpful to include the engine size in question, for future reference...

Thermostat, Water

CAUTION: Do not mix Standard (green) Coolant with Extended Life Coolant (orange). If mixing occurs, drain engine cooling system and refill with originally equipped coolant type. If this contamination occurs the service change interval on Extended Life Coolant will be reduced from 6 years/150,000 miles to 3 years/30,000 miles.
1. WARNING: NEVER REMOVE THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OR ENGINE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY. TO AVOID HAVING SCALDING HOT COOLANT OR STEAM BLOW OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE, USE EXTREME CARE WHEN REMOVING THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP FROM A HOT COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE. WAIT UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THEN WRAP A THICK CLOTH AROUND THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP AND TURN IT SLOWLY UNTIL PRESSURE BEGINS TO RELEASE. STEP BACK WHILE THE PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. WHEN CERTAIN ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED, PRESS DOWN ON THE PRESSURE CAP (STILL WITH A CLOTH), TURN AND REMOVE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP

THE ABOVE APPLIES TO ALL MODELS

3.0L (2V) Engine
Removal
Drain the engine cooling system so that the engine coolant level is below the water thermostat (8575) as described.
2.Disconnect the upper radiator hose (8260) from the water hose connection (8592) .
3.Remove the three water inlet connection retaining bolts. Remove the water hose connection .
4.Remove the gasket and water thermostat from the water hose connection . Do not reuse gasket.
Installation
1.Install the water thermostat , gasket and water hose connection as illustrated.
2.Install and alternately tighten the retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 10-14 Nm (89-124 lb-in).
3.Connect the upper radiator hose to the water hose connection .
4.Fill the engine cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (green), (in Oregon, F5FZ-19549-CC, in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10), or Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA (orange), or DEX-COOL coolant, or a coolant meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D and water, as described under Cooling System, Draining, Filling and Bleeding procedure.
5.Start the engine and check all hoses and connections for leaks. Allow the engine to warm up so that the water thermostat opens.
6.Stop the engine. Top off degas bottle as required to maintain minimum cold fill level.

3.0L (4V) Engine
Removal
Drain the engine cooling system so that the engine coolant level is below the water thermostat ; refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
2.Raise vehicle on hoist.
3.Disconnect the lower radiator hose (8286) from the water inlet connection.
4.Remove the two water inlet connection retaining bolts. Remove the water inlet connection.
5.Remove the O-ring seal and water thermostat from the water thermostat housing. Inspect O-ring for damage and replace if necessary.
6.If required, remove water thermostat housing retaining bolts, water thermostat housing and O-ring from lower radiator hose tube. Inspect O-ring for damage and replace if necessary.

Installation
1.Install the water thermostat , O-ring, water thermostat housing (if removed) as shown.
2.Install and alternately tighten the retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 8-12 Nm (71-106 lb-in).
3.Connect the lower radiator hose to the water inlet connection.
4.Lower vehicle.
5.Fill the engine cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (green), (in Oregon, F5FZ-19549-CC, in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10), or Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA (orange), or DEX-COOL coolant, or a coolant meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D and water; refer to Cooling System, Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
6.Start the engine and check all hoses and connections for leaks. Allow the engine to warm up so that the water thermostat opens.
7.Stop the engine. Top off degas bottle as required to maintain minimum cold fill level.

3.4L SHO
Removal
Drain the engine cooling system so that the engine coolant level is below the water thermostat ; refer to Cooling System, Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
2.Remove battery.
3.Remove power distribution box.
4.Remove battery tray.
5.Disconnect upper radiator hose and position out of the way.
6.Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the water inlet connection (8K528) .
7.Remove the two retaining bolts. Remove the water inlet connection .
8.Remove the O-ring seal and water thermostat from the water pump (8501) . Inspect O-ring for damage and replace if necessary.

Thermostat

Installation
1.Install the water thermostat , O-rings and water inlet connection as illustrated.
2.Install and alternately tighten the retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 8-12 Nm (71-106 lb-in).
3.Connect the lower radiator hose to the water inlet connection .
4.Install upper radiator hose . Position spring clamp securely.
5.Install battery tray.
6.Install power distribution box.
7.Install battery.
8.Fill the engine cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (green), (in Oregon, F5FZ-19549-CC, in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10), or Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA (orange), or DEX-COOL coolant, or a coolant meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D and water; refer to Cooling System, Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
9.Start the engine and check all hoses and connections for leaks. Allow the engine to warm up so that the water thermostat opens.
10.Stop the engine. Top off degas bottle as required to maintain minimum cold fill level.

That happens if you have neglected to check the overflow bottle's coolant levels weekly. Once it gets too low the engine starts emptying coolant into it every time the engine stops. You'll have to open the radiator and try filling it again (with the engine running) then wait for the thermostat to open then fill some more, then put the cap on. This time fill the reservoir bottle to the mark (or halfway) and watch it weekly. Also it is very likely that you will end up with an air pocket and your heater won't work unless you can burp the hoses etc. If you can't get heat go to a mechanic and have it done right.

Use only non silica formula anti freeze like OEM Honda or GM Dexcool , the scrubbing particles in automotive antifreeze can damage the ceramic seal in you motorcycle water pump. To change the antifreeze, find the low point of the system. Some cycles have a drain on the bottom of the radiator. Most have a small drain bolt located on the water pump housing cover. Place a pan under the drain bolt, loosen the radiator cap (this will allow the anti freeze to flow faster), and remove the drain bolt. Replace the drain bolt. To top up or fill the system, first, fill the radiator to the top. Replace the radiator cap, then locate the over flow tank and fill it to the full mark. After short drive and a cool down period , recheck the level in the over flow bottle and top up the radiator and over flow bottle as needed.

Find the low point of the system. Some cycles have a drain on the bottom of the radiator. Most have a small drain bolt located on the water pump housing cover. Place a pan under the drain bolt, loosen the radiator cap (this will allow the anti freeze to flow faster), and remove the drain bolt. Replace the drain bolt and fill the radiator to the top. Replace the radiator cap,then locate the over flow tank and fill it to the full mark. Use only non silica formula anti freeze like OEM Suzuki or GM Dexcool , the scrubbing particles in automotive antifreeze can damage the ceramic seal in you motorcycle water pump. After your initial drive and a cool down period , recheck the level in the over flow bottle and top up the radiator and over flow bottle as needed.

1. When setting the temperature to MAX, blower level to FULL and outside air Vent CLOSED, no hot air comes out after 2-5 minutes?
If YES, when did you last flushed your radiator and is it full?
2. if more than 5 years ago, flush radiator system, instructions are usually in Owners manual. Use a bottle of Radiator cleaner, run egine hot for about 10-15 minutes, carefully open petcock in bottom of radiator to flush out radiator, WARNING, careful as flushed coolant would be boiling hot. As sson petcock is open and water start to flow out, carefully open radiator cap to enhance flushing flow. Use garden hose to fill radiator while flushing until water coming out from petcock is cold and clear.
Once clear, start engine, turn heter full and blower full blast and keep hose in radiator flowing full, leave petcock open until clear water flows out again. Once clear waters comes out, turn off engine,turn off garden hose and let water drain empty radiator. Once it stops flowing out, close petcock snug and put radiator cap on, pull off radiator coolant catch bottle, clean bottle for any debris and dirt. Drain any water, leave bottle empty and put it back onto its place.
3. Fill radiator with 1 gallon (4L) of concentrated coolant, top up radiator until full, fill catch bottle with concentrated coolant, start engine and keep it overflowing until no bubbles comes out and the radiator is fully hot. Once it is flowing good, close and connect everything. Drive with it and keep catch bottle filled as necessarry.
Good luck. Give as vote and good comment if this advise solve youor problem. Thank you.

make sure you dont over fill the radiator bottle past max, something else to try is run the system with out the cap on for a few minutes at idle to expel any air pockets in your cooling system.

Blockage in pressure bottle or small hole in pressure bottle tube.