Mercury Sable

If the question is being asked, I'd guess it's in reference to a 1996 or newer Taurus/Sable... It was about that time the traditional radiator cap seemed to disappear from usage.

When the radiator cap went away, the "coolant overflow" tank became an integral part of the cooling system instead of just a, well - overflow tank.

So now filling the radiator / cooling system is done through the coolant reservoir.

My 2000 Ford Taurus 3 Liter DOHC 6 cylinder engine uses the plastic coolant reservoir cap in place of a conventional pressurized cap on the radiator. So all coolant flush and refill can be done through the coolant reservoir and it's drain hose connection located directly below near the passenger side front tire. Follow the reservoir's bottom hose down to find the drain connection with spring clamp.

Coolanat recovery tank.

Rad. cap is on top of a white plastic tank located on the left side in the engine compartment it has a black cap,this is to keep folks from getting burned checking radiator coolant the resevior also holds extra coolant. L. Keedy

This should be very straight-forward, no matter what model year...

A couple of mounting bolts (10mm?), 2 smaller hoses and one larger.

There's more about these in the "Related Questions" below

depends on the year but the fuse panel will be on either side of the dash when you open the front doors. the other location will be under the dash usually on the drivers side under a panel labeled "fuses".

there are several things that it could be, the thermostat ($35), the heater core($150), or it could actually be the head gaskets ($110), or it can be a vacuum problem($30 Replace lines). the pricing is if you can do the work yourself, its parts only!

Another cause, especially with with ac working ok, is that the temperature blend door actuator / motor has failed.

This is a relatively common problem, and the repair is not too difficult. Autozone shows this part as only $15, and also provides an illustrated repair guide for the job.

See "Related Links" below

Open the rear liftgate on a Mercury Sable wagon and you will see the rear

window washer fluid reservoir fill plug near the bottom of the passenger side

tail light

If "heater coil" is just another term for "Heater core", then yes, most all cars have them.

See "Related Questions" below for tons of information about Taurus / Sable heater cores.

Most likely just a 10mm wrench/socket and a pair of good pliers to deal with the hose clamp at the bottom.

Pretty straight-forward operation

NOTE: be sure the engine is COLD before opening the reservoir tank!!

NOTE #2: if the anti-freeze is good/fresh, you can catch it in a clean container when you take the hose off, and reuse it / put it right back in when you're done

It takes R134a, which is the new EPA "standard" freon.

"Shocks"...

The Taurus/Sables use McPherson struts on the front suspension - which is basically a shock/coil spring assembly.

Rear suspension on the other hand... Station wagon models use a separate shock & coil spring design. Sedans use McPherson struts.

Many people continue to use the two terms in describing the same thing.

All this is intended to help sort out the sometimes very confusing terminology.

See "Related Questions" below for specific instructions for front and rear shocks/struts.

The 1993 Mercury Sable takes 20" replacement windshield wiper blades on both sides front (and a 14" rear wiper blade if applicable). See sources and related links below for more information. Since there are over 22 different wiper arm attachments, do not buy wipers just by length only - be sure to lookup exact wiper blade part numbers by vehicle make, model and year for the brand wiper you decide to purchase. This ensures correct length AND correct attachment.

According to the 2001 Mercury Sable Owner Guide :

With engine oil filter change :

The 3.0 liter " Vulcan " V6 engine takes ( 4.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-20 )

The 3.0 liter " Duratec " V6 engine takes ( 5.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-20 )

It's inside the door next to the door latch. look for the wires and connector running to it.

This door switch is a very very common cause of interior lights staying on/ coming on intermittently while driving door the road - false door ajar warnings - and random alarm going off, and the door locks acting like they're possessed by jumping beans.

That's the bad news... The good news is liberal amounts of spray oil / lubricants is the fix.

See "Related Questions" below for more about getting those sensors under control.
Anyone looking for the 'door jamb' switch is having problems with the false door ajar warnings.

This is extensively covered in the "Related Question" below...

Start with removing the door panel.

Then with the window up, strong flashlight and hopefully small hands, survey the linkage that connects to the backside of the handle. Likely to be small nylon/plastic connector on the rod leading to it. Remove/disconnect it.

And last, there should be 2 nuts holding the latch to the door.

While you're in there, take a look at the window 'regulator' - slides. Check for crud build-up and maybe a light greasing just for good-measure.

See "Related Questions" below for information on removing the door panel.

Engine idle speeds are all computer controlled these days. Not like the old days when we had a screw to move in / out to adjust ourselves.

There are a few things that can be done to "influence" idle speeds - see "Related Questions" below for more

On a 1998 Mercury Sable :

The fuse box is under the drivers side of the dash , to the left of the brake

pedal ( it has a cover on it )

Also , the Power Distribution Box ( which is " live " ) is located in the front of the engine compartment , near the battery

The fuel filter is located on the passenger side in front of the rear wheel. One bolt holds filter clamp. You need to pull plastic retaining clips out to remove the fuel lines. Some fuel will drain from the filter. I would suggest getting new clips at auto store. They fit 3/8" hose. The hardest part is getting the bolt back in threaded hole.

18 gallons ( U.S. ) / 68 liters

The door jamb switch used today isn't like the old fashioned plunger type and relatively easy to deal with.

Once the door panel is off (See "Related Questions" below), getting at the sensor is a job for someone with very small hands.

=False door ajar problems=
I have been able to avoid pulling the sensor with spraying the latching mechanism with tons of spray lube like wd-40.

See "Related Questions" below for more about dealing with those pesky false alarms - including the random anti-theft alarm going off

There are a lot of ways you can get this done, but I prefer this: Take the headlight assembly out and dry with air dryer, then re-seal headlight with clear silicon, problem solved.

30mm

The PCV valve is on the right side of the engine compartment, if you're facing the front of the vehicle, just under the air intake hose. Its not directly on the engine but rather inline with the oil separator tube/hose.

A) To access this area and change the PCV valve just follow these directions. They aren't as complicated as they seem... # using a 5/16" socket, loosen and remove the positive side cable of the battery.

# using a 5/16" socket or nut driver, loosen the worm drive clamp that holds the breather hose onto the manifold.

# next unsnap the clamps that hold the breather hose to the air filter housing.

# noting their positions disconnect the 3 airlines that connect to the breather hose.

# disconnect the 2 electrical connections from the air intake hose. The front one is the mass air flow (MAF) sensor and the back one is the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor, remove the air intake hose and set aside.

# now using a 5/16" socket remove the 2 screws holding the throttle cable cover.

# remove the 2 screws holding the throttle cable bracket. You now have the best access to the PCV valve. B) Now to replace the PCV valve pull the u shaped hose off the elbow. I recommend purchasing this molded new hose for about dollars from your Ford dealer. They tend to clog or collapse after several years. Next simply pull the PCV valve out of the oil separator hose and insert the new one. The whole process can be done in 15 to 30 minutes and save you a lot. C) Now just reinstall everything in reverse. The PCV valve is located on the drivers side, underneath the silver intake manifold. Follow the black accordion tube from the air cleaner to the throttle body valve. Place your hand on the bottom of the throttle body and you will find the PCV attached to two short rubber hoses. Hand access is limited, so you have to feel for the PCV and blindly remove the hoses from the PCV. Be patient, and allow time to finesse the new PCV onto both hoses. While you're at it, be sure to check the condition of the connecting hoses. I found one of mine to have totally collapsed on my 1998 DOHC v6. there is a pcv valve. it is located under the "snorkel" of the upper intake manifold. it is accessed by removing the vacuum line from the front valve cover at the rubber connector between the air filter housing and throttle body(swing out of the way, to the left is best). next remove the two screws that hold the throttle linkage cover in place and remove the cover. third remove the throttle return spring. you can now reach the pcv valve for removal and replacement. It's at the right rear corner (facing the engine), tightly underneath the throttle body. It is in-line in 1/2 inch or so diameter hoses - look for where the one of these hoses takes a 90 degree turn. 97 Merc sable, 12, valve, 3.0 liter, vulcan engine: located on top of intake manifold box, vertical position facing down. manafold box is on passsenger side, near firewall. horizontal hose extends to the right.

i just did a 1995 3.0 disconect battery unbolt starter and put it to the side drop the y-pipe take oil pan off replace pump