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Ford Windstar Problems
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Comments
The deals on new vans are exceptional. Honda's for $1000 under invoice (that would mean an LX for $21,700 plus tax). Toyotas now can be had for a bit less than MSRP. Nissans are not moving all that quickly. Caravans and Freestars (if you can stomach another Ford) can be had for less than you may have paid in 96 for the Windstar.
Interest rates will never be lower. I'll admit a few of these 96 Windstars have made 175k and higher with few problems, but they are few and far between.
FYI, I did have the entire front end fluids changed in Sep 03 (roughly 4,000 miles ago). My last oil change (at a different "quick lube shop") 2 weeks ago, the shop recommended replacement of the power steering fluid and transmission fluid.
I have a bad feeling that my van is probably on the way out.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
This sounds like the classic "air pocket" in the coolant... If you are losing or burning coolant (over time) - it is VERY possible there is a "bubble" in the system causing the temperature gauge to spike. Since the temperature sensor is on the top of the engine, when the fluid level falls to a lower level an air pocket can rise to the top of the cooling system - close to the temperature gauge - showing a spike in the engine temperature.
The more important question is: Where is your coolant going?
Start by checking your coolant levels...
And YES - The temperature spike was the beginning of the end for my WS...
BTW - the THUNK in the front end is the inner or outer tie rods. another regular repair on the WS - About $350. Enjoy!
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
My guess is an intake or head gasket leak. If you catch it early it can be repaired, if you wait too long it will ruin the engine. Have you been adding coolant?
When I had the oil change done 2 days before our trip, the lube shop indicated in their paperwork that the level was checked (OK? - did not indicate that anything was added)I'm going to take a look at the coolant levels next time I get a chance when the engine's cold. I'm also going to see if there's any indication of a visible engine leak.
He has the extended powertrain warrantee. How have the experiences been out there with getting Ford to pay for this. I see from some other Ford boards that the company has not supported many of its customers with this defect, which I understand to be a common one in this vehicle.
He has been happy with this vehicle otherwise but is concerned about the safety of his vehicle,
If you have the financial resources and your Windstar is at or near 100k - unload it. The real financial agony is just around the corner. Neighbor's had the power steering system gearing snap in half - $600 - ouch! at 96k. Interestingly, as I drove by the local transmission shop, three of the nine cars on the lot were Windstars, and since they aren't 30% of the population of all cars on the road, I would believe this to be a bad sign.
Best of luck in whatever you do.
2000 SEL
Steve, Host
Sounds like you have a mediocre tech, Suchjoy.
Try asking in Got a Quick, Technical Question? too.
Steve, Host
toadmantim
Just thought I could help. have a great night!
The van only has 66 k miles.
Also, does anyone know what the factory spec is on cutting the original rotors?
Thanks
G/luck
Joel
I have a 1996 Windstar V6/3.8L with 173K km, and I just noticed contaminated coolant with oil, in the coolant reservoir. I have talked to my mechanic, and he said that Ford issued a TSB about this problem back in 1999. I have phoned FORD Canada, and they said this was just an advisory not a recall, and told me to go away. Am I being unreasonable asking Ford to cover the repair of the known problem? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
140,000 miles is better than average for most vehicles, why does Ford owe you anything for it now? Pray to the car gods and thank them you got that much out of a Ford 3.8, junk it and move on. It's not worth fixing or replacing the engine. Once it's contaminated, it's cooked.
I had my expensive'96 Windstar 3.8 liter defective head gasket job that Ford should cover but won't because they don't care about their customers at 86,000 miles. Two years later, I am only at 99,000 and when the check engine light went on recently the mechanic told me I needed a 100,000 mile tuneup. Now the tune up is done, the light came on again and he says the number 4 cylinder is misfiring and may be leaking -- i.e. the gasket is failing again. Moral of the story: Beware of spending money on a tuneup before checking for the infamous gasket problem.
Power door locks not working (problem inside the door panel)
Clicking/knocking noise from the engine (new intake manifold)
Broken compass/temp module behind the rear view mirror (Replacing)
Loose front end (new tie rods)
AC takes sometime to cool (dealer claims that nothing is wrong, and wants to charge me $80 for troubleshooting)
Based on the messages on this board this seems to be normal issues for this van.
ESP is covering all the costs, I highly recommend this product, its has paid for itself and then some.
Troubleshooting charge? I have never heard or ever been asked to pay this charge. Anyone ever heard of this with a van under a Ford warranty? I do not plan on paying for this charge!
Steve, Host
The reason you see so many Windstars without hubcaps is because the hubcaps were defectively designed. They fall off (at least on the '96s). The Ford dealer will charge you about $80 for a new one. I've had several and am currently missing one.
So as somebody else said you can junk the car or pay something north of $1400 US to have a new gasket put on. As I said in a previous post, my experience was that the repair job didn't seem to hold up all that long. If the contamination is bad and the engine is blowing smoke, you should probably junk it.
I just hope I need a new engine and trans before the 100K, so Ford can pick-up the bill on these items also.