Autozone as of late 2009:
You run the engine till warm then look underneath and see if the pump is leaking. A faulty pump leak is very visible in Taurus/Sable.
depending on your ability to get good deals for 3.0 litre new pump 40 to 70 dollars gmb is a good lasting replacement
Leaking?Wobble in pulley?
This is same procedure as detailed in the "Related Question" below.
According to the 1996 Mercury Sable owners manual :It came from the factory with a 50 / 50 mix of distilled water and GREENcolor antifreeze ( meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A )
According to the 2001 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : It came from the factory with a 50 / 50 mix of distilled water and GREEN color antifreeze ( meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A )
According to the 1999 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : It came from the factory with a 50 / 50 mix of distilled water and GREEN color antifreeze ( meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A )
On a 2002 Mercury Sable : The engine coolant reservoir is at the front of the engine compartment , on the passenger side of the engine compartment ( the engine coolant reservoir has a thread on cap on it , that is your pressure cap / radiator cap )
You look under the pump and see if it's leaking. It's very obvious if it is.
no. instead use arm and hammer washing soda diluted with hot water
According to the 2001 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : For the " Vulcan " and " Duratec " 3.0 litre V6 engines : They came from the factory with a 50 / 50 mix of distilled water and GREEN colored antifreeze ( meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A )
The water pump is on the center of the passenger side of engine. It is hard to see with the Radiator/windshield washer reservoir in the way. It is driven by the pulley below the alternator pulley and has the lower Radiator hose attached to it. UPDATE... JUST BE ADVISED, YOU WILL HAVE TO REMOVE THE ALTENATOR AND PROBABLY THE POWER STEERING PUMP AS WELL.