I replaced the water pump,thermostat two hoses and water reservoir cap flushead the radiator and my 1999 cougar is still overheating what can be the problem

The unlikely one is the head gasket. Do you have water in your oil, do you have mayonnaise on the oil filler cap?

If the area under the thermostat is dry, the most likely issue is water pump failure. Empty the system, backflush the radiator and heater hoses with a garden hose. Replace the water pump and thermostat. Fill the system with coolant, turn the engine on, heater to maximum temperature and keep topping up the radiator until the coolant is hot and the thermostat opens. Squeezing the top and bottom radiator hoses also helps to get air out. Turn off the engine and top up the radiator one last time. Put the cap on and then top up the expansion reservoir.

One thing often overlooked with overheating issues, make sure the radiator fan is working properly.

Don't remove radiator cap when engine is hot.

Is your reservoir full to the right level? Check hoses for a leak. I would have the system flushed if there are no hose leaks in case air is in the system which can cause overheating. This can be done for about $50-$100 or less at many places. Sometimes when a thermostat is replaced the system isn't bled correctly. I hope its not your water pump, but it may be.

Good luck.

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOUR HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED

COULD BE THERMOSTAT IF TOP RADIATOR HOSE IS NOT HOT AND BOTTOM RADIATOR HOSE GOING TO WATER PUMP IS HOT THE THERMOSTAT STICKING PARTIALLY CLOSE.IF TOP HOSE IS HOT THE RADIATOR,ENGINE BLOCK HEATER CORE NEED FLUSHING OUT.IF WATER PUMP WEEP HOLE LEAKING REPLACE WATER PUMP, FAULTY WATER PUMP WILL CAUSE ENGINE TO OVER HEAT.REPLACE RADIATOR CAP MAKE SURE YOU HAVE 50 / 50 MIX SOLUTION ANTIFREEZE AND WATER IN COOLANT SYSTEM. IF ALL LOOKS GOOD CHECK ENGINE OIL ON DIP STICK, IF OIL IN DIP STICK LOOK LIKE MILKSHAKE YOU HAVE BLOWED HEAD GASKET THAT WILL CAUSE ENGINE OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING CAR IN SHORT DISTANCE AND ENGINE OVERHEATING.

It could be the thermostat not opening and closing as it should. Or it could be a bad overflow/radiator cap. If the cap starts to go bad, it won't hold pressure and this will cause overheating. Good Luck. There are other major issues possible, but hopefully it's not. Start the engine cold and as the engine warms you should feel the thermostat open and water flowing as you hold the radiator hose, just be careful around moving fans.

If your not low, and your not overheating, chances are that the level sensor is either dirty, or faulty. It's located in the coolant resevoir.

the water pump and thermostat should have solved it. an air pocket can cause that but usually not to that degree.

don't get one of those cheap *** plastic impeller water pump for sissies. Get the metal impeller one. get a cool running thermostat and drill two 3/16" holes in it 180 degreess from each other. you may have installed the t-stat backwards.

If you follow the upper radiator hose from the radiatior to the engine, it connects to the thermostat housing. The housing is where the thermostat is located and it is held inplace by a couple of bolts. It is easier to replace the thermostat if you drain most of the coolant out of the radiator. There is a valve on the bottom corner of the radiator. Also, for a few extra bucks, replace the radiator cap to make sure it is functioning properly, since it was over heated.

My 1999 Cougar started running hot and I took it to my mechanic and he found that the water pump belt was broke. Replaced belt and all is well. Hope this help.

Have you checked your rad fans? Rad flow? Rad condition? Possible water pump problem if those check out good.