i did have the heads resurfaced when i changed the head gasket btw... how much would a shop charge me to diagnose the problem?98 taurus over heating... AGAIN!?
On many cars when you drain the water and then re-fill it,the thermostat hinders the free flow of water around the circuit and this creates an air pocket in the system.A quick trip around the block to warm it up opens the stat and clears the air pocket so that the water level in the radiator is lowered ; it has not leaked out ,just filled up the air pocket space so now you can fill it up. You say that you have changed the fan switch,are you sure that the fan is switched.When it overheats does the fan run at this time.98 taurus over heating... AGAIN!?
If it was time to replace all of those other items, the radiator should have been right along on that list as well.
If we're talking about the wonderful Ford 3.8L V6, anytime is really fine for that engine to blow a head gasket. It happens..its just a bad design...but we'll stay positive and hope it's not that.
If you're not getting any hot coolant through your heater core, you might want to check and see if the coolant is leaking from a heater hose when the heater is on, or maybe from the heater core itself.98 taurus over heating... AGAIN!?
since corrosion is present, there is a possibility the heater core is clogged. take both hoses off core, hook garden hose to inlet hole and flush out. could be water is not going tru core and therefore no circulation back to engine block. change thermostat98 taurus over heating... AGAIN!?
eliminate the fan switch and run it direct from a fuse to have continuous air flowing to the radiator that guarantees that its not the fan :)
