Radiator under too much pressure?

There is 14 .2 foot pounds of pressure in your cooling system .
The problem is some one didn't tighten the cap correctly you have to push down on it turn it then turn it until it locks so its two turns ..
The good news is the cooling system is likely fine its holding pressure .But if you have to add coolant you should do it through the recovery bottle that has no pressure follow the hose under the radiator cap that will lead to the recovery system storage bottle .
This will also indicate the antifreeze level on the side of the unit ..

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.

I would begin by utilizing our shop's standard cooling system procedure.....
INSPECT COOLANT LEVEL,
TEST SPECIFIC GRAVITY,
****PRESSURE TEST SYSTEM,
****PRESSURE TEST RADIATOR/EXPANSION TANK CAP,
INSPECT DRIVE BELT(s),
****INSPECT COOLANT HOSES,
****INSPECT HEATER HOSES,
****INSPECT BYPASS/MISC. COOLANT HOSES/PIPES,
TEST THERMOSTAT OPERATION,
INSPECT RADIATOR TEMPERATURE,
INSPECT RADIATOR COOLING FAN(s)/CLUTCH OPERATION,
INSPECT CONDENSER/AUXILARY COOLING FAN(s) OPERATION(s)
INSPECT RADIATOR & CONDENSER FOR DEBRI,
OBSERVE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE OPERATION,

If you need further help, reach me via phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/ralph_2f0886b7d6af32ce

thermostat

see my tips about heat troublshooting

The engine must be running to add coolant to a hot engine. When your water hit the head/block it vaporized and blew back. The engine is probably OK even though it probably lost some coolant and got hot.

your cars radiator hose is building excessive pressure because the coolant / water could not circulate freely on your cooling system thats why its overheating, try removing the thermostat valve first and observe if it makes a difference, if problem is the same it could be the water pump is the culprit. try eliminating the easy things and less expensive approach first before deciding to top overhaul the engine of your car. a broken head gasket is not enough reason wont blow off your top radiator hose.

Sounds like a head gasket if hose blew off under the pressure

Just because it was not hot to the touch, does not mean it is not a coolant loss problem----if the coolant is so low, there may not be enough to make the radiator hot (though usually the steam in the system will).
...a stuck thermostat can also let the engine overheat while the radiator remains cool (the fluid only circulates within the engine and is stopped from getting to the radiator.
...likewise a hose could have burst below and let the coolant out, over heating the engine, and the steam going out the ruptured/popped off hose; would look underneath..
...when cool, check the level in the radiator (likely empty),
...and less than a mile away, may not have ever heated the radiator, though usually only a mile to heat up the coolant
...of course there is always sabotage
...and water pump failure, (so no water circulated) causing overheating and no radiator heat, and possibly enough pressure to blow off a hose, but usually the radiator cap relief spring would allow pressure to escape (and that steam would heat up the radiator on the way---but if only steam in the radiator, it would cool off quickly after venting, because no more water in the radiator to hold the heat. all depending on climate,temp and further details , symptoms..
hope helps..

remove coolant.remove thermostat remove bottom radiator hose to water pump.put a empty container under the radiator.take a water hose put it where thermostat goes flush out the rust in block.watch the water as it come out the water pump .if stream water is small keep flushing until you get a study sream of clear water. also flush out radiator. lower water pressure dont flush radiator it with high water pressure you could burst it. make clean the over flow jug .make sure it not stopped up.put in a new thermostat and radiator pressure cap. fill radiator with half antifreeze and half water.bleed the coolant system.