@'95 taurus GL wagon, 3.8. is at 150,000 mi - what should I watch out for in repairs or failures.?

Question

replaced radiator, water pump (bad gasket-not pump), power steering pump, brakes (several times), an air conditioner high press. hose, heater blew out but just bypassed it rather than spend a lot of $$ to fix, and some other routine light maint. mostly done myself or with a mechanic friend. Had a real struggle with the rear brakes - fronts no problem. plugs were tough. what's your experience with this make and year?
thanks,
jim

I've changed the radiator, trans. fluid, accessories belt, and other routine things. using Mobil 1 synth. oil and just replaced water pump (faulty gasket-not pump) & pow. steering pump. will the air condit. compressor 'warn' me before it fails?
jim

Answer 1

I would reccomend flushing and pressure testing the cooling system as you may have a leaking head gasket which will blow at an inconvient time and cause your engine to overheat and warp and be FUBAR.
Also I would change the timeing belt and service the transmission.

Answer 2

My personal experience with Taurus and Sable is the brake lines rust very easily. I got a '98 Taurus for my son and the brake lines were rusted through near the rear wheels. The actual problem was the brake lines can't be purchased new even from a dealer. Worst-case scenario was to buy sections of brake line and piece them together and try to get all the intricate bends correct. I instead chose the junk yard route. This is were I found every single Taurus or Sable had rusting or rusty brake lines. I purchased the best looking set, cleaned all rust off with sand paper and wire wheel, the coated them with undercoaiting spray. The brake lines have been on for over two years now without problem. There is also an internet site sponsored by NTSB National Transportation Safety Board that lists product complaints and recalls for hundreds of vehicles. This is an excellent site to find those little things that might give you trouble with a particular vehicle. Good luck

Answer 3

I have a T-Bird with the same engine with 108,887 miles on it. The 3.8 engines are notorious for blown head gaskets as the gaskets were cheaply made by some manufacture. Ford doesn't make head gasket,they buy them from another distributer and installs them not knowing they are cheap. So in reality, Ford makes the engines and chassis and body. Other parts like light bulbs and gaskets and and co,puter are imported and installed on Ford cars. Sorry, I was proving a point to people who say Ford sucks. You and I are proof they can last with high mileage when taken care of . Happy Motoring! First On Race Day.

Answer 4

Not to scare you but....I have owned five ford Taurus cars....last one was the gl wagon.....every one either blew head gaskets constantly....had front alignment problems....brake problems.....transmission problems....and with the wagon I just junked the year before last I bought it used...a 1998 wagon... it had 38000 miles on paid 3 grand even......drove it for three days and it threw a rod going down main st at 25mph....I hate a ford Taurus with a passion and advise any one to stay away from them....even the new models.

Answer 5

BELTS!! A/C system. Transmission Flush.

And insure you follow scheduled maint. if don't have manual see a shop that has a computer to check it out.
My Taurus lasted 270,000 mi until the serpentine belt when out because of a/c seizure.

Bueno Suerte!

Answer 6

Get rid of it and stay away from Fords in the future. The only half way good car Ford has is the Mustang and their trucks are OK and get better as they get bigger (their diesel is actually made by Detroit). As for the SUV's, Family Obituaries Read Daily!

Answer 7

Timing cover gasket leaks,
The engine is bad for cylinder head gaskets going bad.
I put the engine as fair, but the 3.0L is better.

Answer 8

I had a Ford Taurus 94 had radiator, heater core, oil problems too. Ford Taurus was just all around a crappy choice for me and I wouldnever own one again. Best of luck to you though!!!!!