How can you distinguish a head gasket leak from a radiator leak? My 1992 Ford Taurus continues to overheat.

Maybe blown head gasket or glogged radiator.

Sounds like water in the oil. Head gasket

Thermostat or cooling fan if you have no leaks. Tauruses are notorious for getting clogged up with rust and other deposits in the cores and radiators. There is also always the chance the head gasket went out. Fingers crossed that that isn't the case.

some 3.0 engines hive a head gasket leak on the rear head on the corner hear the water pump..

You will need to start by doing a radiator pressure test using a radiator pressure tester first verify that the fans are coming on when it gets hot if so then you will need to pressure test it find out where the leak is if there is no apparent leak but the pressure drops fast could indicate a bad head gasket. You can verify that by doing a compression test or a chemical test

blown head gasket would be my first thought but i would check the water pump, radiator, hoses and thermostat before removing the head

if its a 3.0l 2-valve it could have a head gasket or cracked head.
if its a 4v dohc 3.0l it could be the water pump that driven by the
bank2 camshaft... the impeller inside the pump comes aprt and they overheat

Hey there..my name is Keith...and these new cars from the 90's up..dont like Stop-Leak..and it stops them up and compounds the problem..they arent like the radiators of yesture-year..so i would replace the radiator..plus the 90's up models dont like to be over heated ..and it may have blew a head gasket..i know this isnt good news..but its sound..and if you have any other questions..please ask me

Ford 2000 Taurus

To solve the problem you have the things to do in this order;

) When the engine is cold top off the radiator with fluid. (When the pump was replaced the fluid should have been also)
) Make sure the radiator fluid has anti-freeze in it. This is also anti boil also !
) Add fluid to the overflow reservoir.
) Make sure the drive belt was replaced on the water pump.
) With the engine running, you can add fluid to the radiator for the first minute or so. You want to get air pockets out.
) Replace radiator cap.
) Let car warm up. When it's hot you should get the radiator fan coming on.
) When it get hotter the air-conditioning fan may come on.
) If the fan does not come on, the heat sensor is probably bad.
) If all fans come on, and it overheats, you may have a bad thermostat. Trace the upper radiator hose to where it connects to the engine. That's where it located.

Do not operate the engine when it overheats, You will damage the head gaskets and cause radiator fluid to leak into the cylinders.
If you smell radiator fluid in the exhaust fumes, it may already be leaking.

Thermostat is faulty.
It can be found by grabbing the top radiator hose and following back to the engine. The housing this hose is clamped to is the thermostat housing. Remove the 2 bolts, and the cover o reveal the thermostat.
It should cost less than $20 for a thermostat and gasket.
Replace it and your overheating isues will go away.

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