97 Ford Tauras Heating/Coolant/Temprature

I have a 97 Taurus and I recently had the radiator flushed about a month ago. About the last 2 weeks about once a week I've had to refill the radiator because the coolant has dissapeared. Heat works and then it doesn't. Temp gauge is about half right now (usually sits at 1/4) but when braking from about 65-70 mph the gauge shoots up damn near to the red.

I was told they after the flush that it may not have been filled properly. That it has air in the lines. it's been 4 weeks. Shouldn't the air be out by now?

I've checked for leaks and I am not seeing anything visible.

But everyweek I'm out of coolant or damn near close.

HELP! Any suggestions would be great.

Is it possible that the draincock wasn't tightened? But then, wouldn't I see a leak?

Also... I'm having an issue with the brights. I can pull back to flash them but when i go forward on the level to turn them on... it turns off all my light completely? Any ideas?

Your leak is small enough that only when the system is pressurized and hot will the steam and fluid come out of whatever crack is the culprit. Once the system is off the pressure is reduced the leaking area is hot enough to evaporate the leaking fluid so you do not see fluid on the ground.

Years ago I had a new Villager that had a leaking freeze plug that exhibited similar symptoms, only not quite as quick to drain the fluid as in your case.

When the engine is cold, the system will pull the coolant back out of the tank. If there is no coolant in the tank, it wil pull in more air. It sounds like they did not put back enough coolant. Here is what i would do. Fill the coolant tank to the hot line with 50/50 mix of coolant. let the car run until it fully heats up with the heat on hot. yu should see bubbles in the tank as the coolant flows in ( this indicates air). After the engine is off, it will pull coolant back. Watch it until it is cold. Refill the tank before it gets anywhere near empty. Do this a few times and you should get most of the air out without letting anymore in.