'99 Ford Taurus leaking from the firewall

Hello all. I have a '99 Taurus that is leaking from an oblong looking plug mounted into the firewall. I thought maybe a hose had fallen off, but there is no hose to reattatch. It actually looks like some kind of drain hole. I am assuming it has to do with the heater core, but there is no water inside the car, the heater blows hot air, and the car does not overheat (at least, not according to the gauge). This oblong hole is on the firewall, and it looks like the golve compartment is directly behind it. It really looks like there should be a hose attatched to it, or like I said, some kind of overflow/drain hole, but I don't know what it is supposed to look like if a hose is supposed to be attatched to it. Any help would be greatly appreciated....Thanks.

I took a few pics to try and make things easier.

This is of the engine compartment, with the area circled in red:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/rixque...

This is of the actual leaking component circled in red:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/rixque...

I have a few more of the same shots if it helps anyone. Thanks again.

Bronxrik wrote:

Hello all. I have a '99 Taurus that is leaking from an oblong looking plug mounted into the firewall. I thought maybe a hose had fallen off, but there is no hose to reattatch. It actually looks like some kind of drain hole. I am assuming it has to do with the heater core, but there is no water inside the car, the heater blows hot air, and the car does not overheat (at least, not according to the gauge). This oblong hole is on the firewall, and it looks like the golve compartment is directly behind it. It really looks like there should be a hose attatched to it, or like I said, some kind of overflow/drain hole, but I don't know what it is supposed to look like if a hose is supposed to be attatched to it. Any help would be greatly appreciated....Thanks.

Please see my comments listed to Rokim13 dated 11-14-06. This IS the fix. Randy M. WI.

Randy M WI wrote:

<quoted text>Please see my comments listed to Rokim13 dated 11-14-06. This IS the fix. Randy M. WI.

Thanks for the reply. No sooner had I posted this, than the windshield had begun to get steamed up as posted in several threads. However, there is no water in the cabin. I also began to lose alot more water. Turns out it was, according to the dealer, the heater core....to the tune of nearly $1100.00. I live in the desert southwest, so I had them bypass the heater core as heat really isn't an issue. It still puzzles me how it could be a bad core if there is no water damage. I really do appreciate the help though.

Randy M WI wrote:

<quoted text>Please see my comments listed to Rokim13 dated 11-14-06. This IS the fix. Randy M. WI.

I've got the same problem.
How do I look at the fix?

Please e-mail me
frontier_teg@yahoo.com

It is probably coming from the heater core just on the other side of the firewall. The heater core is either on the passenger side on more towards the middle of the firewall. It is a major job to replace the heater core.($1100.00 Job) The whole dash has to come out just to get to it. But I was able to fix my 99 Ford Taurus With the following. This car has a factory problem that the hose from the water pump goes straight to the heater core. Putting to much pressure in the heater core. Causing it to break open. Here is the fix. Remove the hose that is going from the water pump to the heater core at the heater core end. ONLY do this when the engine is cold!!
Place a flow restrictor in the hose or the heater core opening. I used the little tapered piece that comes with the tube of RTV. It fits into the heater core, but the RTV tube end stops it from going into the heater core. And it the hose slides right over it. Just cut off the tip at the second smallest taper. First put some stop leak directly into the heater core if possible. If not just put it into the reservoir. Put the hose back on, tighten the clamp. Fill with coolant. Let it idle for ten minutes or so, to seal the leak. Recheck the coolant level. Should be good to go. If you don't put the restrictor in the hose, the leak seal will not seal for very long. With the restrictor it should last for years.

Bronxrik wrote:

Hello all. I have a '99 Taurus that is leaking from an oblong looking plug mounted into the firewall. I thought maybe a hose had fallen off, but there is no hose to reattatch. It actually looks like some kind of drain hole. I am assuming it has to do with the heater core, but there is no water inside the car, the heater blows hot air, and the car does not overheat (at least, not according to the gauge). This oblong hole is on the firewall, and it looks like the golve compartment is directly behind it. It really looks like there should be a hose attatched to it, or like I said, some kind of overflow/drain hole, but I don't know what it is supposed to look like if a hose is supposed to be attatched to it. Any help would be greatly appreciated....Thanks.

It just so happens I have the Ford shop manual for sale for that specific vehicle, make me an offer and it could be yours.
Longone

Disregard last post, I got ahead of myself....again.
Longone

FOR EVERYONE with a Taurus or Sable with a water leak or blown A/C heater blower motor. If we act together Ford will be forced to expand an existing recall.

I have a 03 Taurus with the same problem. A water leak which dumped water onto the passenger floor board also caused my AC Blower motor to short out. I could not get Ford to act even though a related recall existed under 03V087000.

However, this CAN get fixed by filing a formal complaint with NHTSA which is exactly what I did. There website is: http://www.nhtsa.gov/

If enough people with the same problem file the complaint, NHTSA will force Ford to comply with their own existing recall or actually extend an EXISTING recall under 03V087000.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Call NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236
2. File your complaint, have your VIN ready and dates of problems (if possible)
3. While filing your complaint reference recall number 03V087000 AND my complaint 10184014. This will show a continuing trend.
4. If your water leak problem also resulted in a shorted out AC blower motor, make sure you mention this as well.
5. Once you have filed, please email me and give me your complaint number. I intend to compile all complaints which will prove the problem is widespread.

When you file your complaint, please email me at williamford61@hotmail.com . I am compiling complaints for one unified effort to force an extended recall on Ford.

I have a 99 with the same problem. Not sure what it is but when it rains hard I have a lake on my passenger side floor board. Can't be heater core problem, it is rain water from good old mother nature. I sure would like to find the leak. Ford wanted to pull out my windshield and replace it for $400 bucks. I declined.

Tom wrote:

<quoted text>
I've got the same problem.
How do I look at the fix?
Please e-mail me
frontier_teg@yahoo.com

Yeah, I would like to see "the fix" myself. I am having the same troubles. How can I access to them?

jim wrote:

I have a 99 with the same problem. Not sure what it is but when it rains hard I have a lake on my passenger side floor board. Can't be heater core problem, it is rain water from good old mother nature. I sure would like to find the leak. Ford wanted to pull out my windshield and replace it for $400 bucks. I declined.

I have a 99 Taurus with this exact same problem. Can anyone help me discover where the water is coming from?

Mark, you said "I was able to fix my 99 Ford Taurus ... This car has a factory problem that the hose from the water pump goes straight to the heater core. Putting to much pressure in the heater core....
Place a flow restrictor in the hose or the heater core opening. I used the little tapered piece that comes with the tube of RTV. It fits into the heater core, but the RTV tube end stops it from going into the heater core."

This makes sense, but when you were talking about putting some "stop leak" directly into the heater core, were you referring to the stop leak qualities of the RTV tube, or were you talking about supplemental stop leak substances sold at auto parts stores?

In reply to Mr William Fords post. I have the same problem on my 2004 Taurus. The estimate I got is 600.00 to repair it. For everyone having this problem, we should not have to "fix" this ourselves. This is a factory defect. When it has rained for extended periods of time my car has a small swimming pool on the passenger side. There are too many complaints about the same situation for it not to be a defective product. I have 2 brothers that worked for Ford, and in speaking with one of them he knows about what I am talking about. I am going to do as Mr. Ford suggested in his post and see if I can get resolution. I have contacted Ford several times and was basically told too bad. This is not good customer service on the part of the Ford company. And I have let them know that I will never buy another one.

We also have a 99 ford taurus. WE also have a problem with the heater core. It is pissing out the antifreeze from the oblong thing in the firewall. What is RTV??? And where do we put the restritors again??

I have an '03 Taurus with a water leak. A pool of water forms on the passenger side floorboard whenever it rains. Has anyone discovered the root cause?

i have a 99 taurus and it has 127,000 miles on it. the ac was working fine until a couple of days ago and now it just blows warm air. any ideas of as to what the problem could be

I have a 05 Taurus. Like the rest of you my passenger side is turning into Lake Meade. This is ridiculus that Ford will not "own up" to the problem and fix it.

Bronxrik wrote:

Hello all. I have a '99 Taurus that is leaking from an oblong looking plug mounted into the firewall. I thought maybe a hose had fallen off, but there is no hose to reattatch. It actually looks like some kind of drain hole. I am assuming it has to do with the heater core, but there is no water inside the car, the heater blows hot air, and the car does not overheat (at least, not according to the gauge). This oblong hole is on the firewall, and it looks like the golve compartment is directly behind it. It really looks like there should be a hose attatched to it, or like I said, some kind of overflow/drain hole, but I don't know what it is supposed to look like if a hose is supposed to be attatched to it. Any help would be greatly appreciated....Thanks.

My gauges did not say my taurus was overheating either....watch it CLOSLEY!!!

I've have two 1999 Taurus cars. They both do the same thing when it rains heavily. The passenger floor, front and back become drenched in rain water and the inside of the car gets all steamed up. I assume, due to all of the rain water inside the car, the defrost just can't keep up? I'd sure like to know how the rain is getting inside?