1998 ford taurus?

My car would not start for some reason. It wasn't hot. I changed the oil filter. It still did not start. I pumped the gas hard several times and it started. I than noticed there was lots water leaking from the overflow. The fans did not come on. I let it sit for a few days. Started it yesterday with no problem. I turned on the heater and the fans came on and no water was leaking. I drove it around the corner and it was ok. I turned off the heater and kept it running. I noticed the fans did not stay on. The water started to leak from the overflow and it appeared to be hot. The gauges did not say the engine was hot. How do I fix it?

Roberto
October 2011