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Ford 3.8 head gasket, AXOD transmission failures Windstar Taurus Sable - Ford secret warranty?

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Comments

  • byers2byers2 Member Posts: 1
    I also own a 95 WS. At 98k miles I had the HG fixed under warranty. (just made it). Only symptom: My father in law saw oil in the coolant.
    Now it is in shop for transmission. It wouldn't shift in reverse and sometimes wouldn't go into 1st without a lot of coaxing, and when it did, it clunked.
    Repairs: $1,800. He said should charge me $2,200 but because he quoted me max, $1,800, then that's all he is charging. Problem: mechanical failure.....Code #1784. No gear train damage at all, mechanical clutch is burnt and needs valve body replaced ($400). He is also replacing a "switch" ($90).
    He didn't mention if the pistons were aluminum, but said he would replace if that were the case.
    I am relying on a friend of a friend for this and so far he seems to be TRUSTWORTHY.
    I love my WS and I hope this is the end of the problems. Is it normal for a transmission to last over 100,000 miles??? this is all greek to me. Thanks.
  • 2akitas2akitas Member Posts: 19
    Our windstar has 200,000 Kilometers, that is somewhere around 120,000 miles or more ! It has never had HG trouble but the trans has JUST started to act up. It seems ours was a weak battery.
    The computer has "learned" to shift rough. It is better but we are unable to reset the computer.We are told that if it were a Chrysler, all we would have to do is disconnect the battery for an hour and the computer resets.
    More reason to dislike Ford !
  • barbs42barbs42 Member Posts: 1
    my windstar was in the shop for the headgasket repair and then i drove it for two weeks and now it has been in shop for two weeks waiting for a motor
    the dealership had offered me a buyout of $ 6000
    last week and today told me Ford had approved
    an additional 3000 because of the long wait to get the motors built---they are telling me 6-8 weeks
    I will be checking this one out-
    this was only good on a new 2000 windstar

    It is worth checking into
  • illinoisillinois Member Posts: 4
    Reply to 427:
    Service Manager told me that the diagnostic code reported the Forward Clutch Piston was bad. That is the part which is Aluminum. New transmissions come with a steel part, instead of aluminum.

    Work politely with your Service Manager. Refer to TSB on this problem (go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov) which dates back to Nov '94.

    Then call Ford Customer Service. They will take your trouble report. They refused to connect me to the Regional Ford Rep. They sent my trouble report and maybe (?) something else to the Ford dealership. Ford Dealership dropped their repair price 50%. Then I asked again to speak with Ford Regional Rep, both the dealership and the Customer Service folks refused.
  • dean48dean48 Member Posts: 1
    Last April, the 3.8L engine on my 94' Thunderbird blew at 146,000KM (90,000mi) because of a head gasket leak. Ford accepted to replace the engine with a rebuilt on with almost no cost (only $70 Canadian instead of $5,000). When I think about the number of people who had to pay for that, I consider myself lucky!
    The transmission is still going strong but I don't know for how long. Anybody has an idea how much would cost a new one?
  • mccloymccloy Member Posts: 2
    My dad has a 1988 ford escort and had to have the head gaskets replaced to the tune of $2500.00. The car had only 40,000 miles on it. After having it for 6 years so it wasn't driven into the ground when this happened. He also had it maintenanced at the correct intervals at Board Ford in California. So I wrote ford asking them why this would happened when the car was well looked after. I got a response from a lady that sounded like the rest of the responses everyone got. To bad fix it sorry no help here! How about it any other ford escorts around this year having problems? Martyz4
  • nuyawkanuyawka Member Posts: 1
    The head gasket blew at 100,184 miles while I was 150 miles away from home. The local Ford dealer in Nanuet, NY was great. He contacted the Zone Office and Ford honored the 100,000 mile warranty on the head gasket. Upon trying to repair the engine, the dealership found collateral damage to the engine. Ford agreed to "buy" the Windstar back from me for $6,650 plus a $3,000 certificate towards a purchase of a new Ford product. That adds up to nearly $10,000. All this occurred within a 20 day period. After hearing all the horror stories, I just want to pass on to everyone a story with a happy ending. The key is the Ford dealer and how he pursues the problem. I was lucky. Schultz Ford in Nanuet, NY was the best!
  • dannynoonan1dannynoonan1 Member Posts: 15
    Have dealer put "black light" dye in coolant. Wait one month then have spark plug (I believe it's plug 4) shot with black light. I had same coolant loss in my 95. Dealer said it was normal and did FORD's gasket check several times finding nothing. After I requested dye they found the headgasket leak. Coolant in oil system wears engine fast. I had head gaskets at 50,000 and blown motor at 65,000, on vacation of course! I recently went through the "buyback" program which is the best alternative I could find. If you need more ammo to help you check out "BlueOval.com." Good luck.
  • njdaddynjdaddy Member Posts: 3
    wow! misery loves company - here's my windstar dilemma:
    1995 LX Loaded w/56,000 mi
    HG failed feb '00 - new motor put in(I was out of town, of course) - covered by the "program" - except for inadequate rental coverage.
    Now only 4000 mi to go on my extended warranty - just got back from the shop today to the tune of $800. Check engine light - needed coil pack, filters, etc - my nickel. Also intake manifold gasket bad - luckily a bad gasket and not shoddy workmanship by the dealer 300 miles away who did the motor replacement - covered. I was told that if it was bad workmanship on the motor replacement it would be up to me to go after them for reimbursement.
    Tranny - O/D light coming on during extended hiway drives - had this checked out in march at previous dealer who said fluid was getting hot - flushed and replaced at my cost (also paid through the nose at this time for an EGR / DPE).
    Today's dealer said tranny had leaking gaskets, seals, etc - replaced under warranty.
    A/C - compressor and seals replaced - covered.
    Needed a brake job at my cost - dealer discovered frozen rear cylinders - replaced under warranty.
    My $500 extended warranty seems to have been a good investment - wish I could say the same for the car.
    So - do I keep it and just pay more reasonable rates for repairs once I'm out of warranty and don't need to go to a dealer - or trade it in now? Edmunds says trade is worth $10,360 - is this realistic? Did people who are reporting tranny problems also get the O/D flash at lower miles? Thanks.
  • ihateford2ihateford2 Member Posts: 4
    Okay, I contacted customer service and I spoke to a robot. No matter what I said, she kept asking me questions that sounded like she was reading a script. She informed me that there are currently no extended warranties, no recalls and no customer notifications on my van, therefore she suggested that I go ahead and get my transmission fixed, pay for it and save my receipts and if any of the above scenarios should occur I may be able to get my money back. I am a little leery of this. I also inquired about getting car rental fees reimbursed. Our head gasket blew on November 22 and we had it towed to the dealer. Got it back on December 21. In March we received a letter letting us know that the warranty had been extended, they had the buy-back program and that they also would pay for any car rental if it took longer than 5 days to repair the vehicle. The robot I spoke with informed me that when my HG blew I was under the old program and therefore the new parameters of the new program don't apply to me. I was not entitled to any compensation. I really would love to know how you get to talk to someone that could really help you. Do you have any information as to who you spoke with at Fords Customer Care center, because the gal I spoke with today was worthless. Thanks. ;o]
  • lweisslweiss Member Posts: 342
    My dealer is great, and maybe that is the difference- Ted Britt Ford in Fairfax, VA. My 95 Windstar had the headgaskets replaced last year at 77K, they had Ford cover it (dealers have much more leverage than individual owners) except for a $200 deductable and gave us a free loaner for the week the van was in the shop. No problems since then on anything. Couldn't pass up the deal on a new Windstar- we got a 2000 Windstar SE with leather, other options, listed for $31K, all rebates brought it down to $24K, including taxes and all. Sold our 95 Windstar with 82K Miles for $7200 on our own (dealer was offering $4200 on a trade)- we tested the market the previous week at $11,000 but no one called.

    No vehicle is perfect of course, but my lesson in this is get a good dealer to go to bat for you- one little person against the big corporations is an excersize in frustration.
  • HCLEMOHCLEMO Member Posts: 19
    I also have a 95 Windstar (GL). I have had 2 headgasket repairs and the aluminum shift piston repaired under warranty. The extended warranty ran out in August of 1999. I kept the vehicle (low mileage at 57K miles) to be our weekend/vacation vehicle--mainly highway miles and I have another car for commuting. I thought--what else could fail? Hah!! The reverse went out at 59K miles several months ago (not fun in West Virginia) and I was told that all of the clutches were shot and I needed a rebuilt transmission ($2500). I put in a rebuilt Ford factory transmission and am now looking to sell this vehicle. Overall, it is in good condition. Kelley Blue Book tells me that the trade in on my vehicle in good shape is about $7100, fair shape about $6000. The Ford dealer offered me about $4500--says that the recent publicity about the 95 WS has reduced their value substantially. He admitted that they send all of the 95 WS that they take in trade to the auction lot PDQ. He did say that I probably qualified for an $4000 trade-in certificate for a new Ford. I told him that I was not sure I wanted another Ford given my experience with my 95 WS and Ford's refusal to acknowledge that transmissions should not fail at 59K and further that the AXOD-E transmission has a very high failure rate as mentioned on: http://www.blueovalnews.com

    If I were you, I would trade this vehicle before the extended warranty runs out. Lots of other high priced things can and probably will go wrong!
  • endressendress Member Posts: 1
    I too am the unfortunate owner of one of these lemons - a 95 Windstar. First the oxygen sensors went out, then the head gaskets, now the transmission is gone out. Here is the kicker. When we took it to the Ford dealer, and wanted a new transmission ($2500), he called to order it and was told by Ford that Ford had suspended shipment of any of the transmissions. Apparently, Ford still hasn't figured out what the problems are. Now we have to settle for an overhaul of the transmission, which doesn't carry as good a warranty. Has anyone else tried to order a new transmission and found the same story? Needless, to say this is the first and last Ford this old boy will own.
  • kdugan1kdugan1 Member Posts: 1
    I am the owner of a 96 Windstar. The van is starting to have transmission problems. Should I bring it to the dealer? What recourse do I have, if any? The van only has 59000 miles on it. Help!
  • bubba66bubba66 Member Posts: 3
    I am the former owner of a 95 Windstar LX.
    We got the car in 97 with 47000 miles, in too much of a hurry to properly research it. The tranny was rebuilt by a trans. mechanic (not Ford)
    at 101,000 miles (it would not go in reverse; 95 and 96 Windstars have aluminum forward/reverse pistons; these were replaced by steel ones; make sure this is done if you get it rebuilt). These guys did a great job and when the "check engine" light came on about 6 months later, they
    diagnosed the code for me for free (it was a spark-plug misfire). We never had the head gaskets
    go but the car began to overheat in the past year
    even though we had the thermostat replaced
    and the coolant flushed(we had the gaskets checked as per the recall notice but they just do a quick visual check). The ABS light came on at
    one point and we were told that sometimes means the brake fluid is low, but eventually we found out that the ABS rotors were cracked and we had them replaced-this is costly because you have to replace the front axles as well.
    I guess this is why people say not to buy a model
    that just came out-there can be many wrinkles. I had picked it out because it is rated well for safety and like the way it drives. We had a Ford Mustang in the past that was a great car, so we
    were feeling okay about Ford.
    The air conditioning system died as well as the electronic locks, the gas gauge, and the rear wiper.
    And now we're so poor from it all we could only get another used car!
  • vpmarollavpmarolla Member Posts: 1
    My wife and I just bought a 95 Windstar LX with 79,000 miles. The vehicle was clean. 200 miles into our ownership, it "blew a rod," per the mechanic 200 miles from our home. Right now it is being towed to the dealership where we bought it -- a Chrysler dealer. They are offering to repair the engine or replace per their "extended warranty." The dealer told us that he was not aware of any problems with the Windstar and the 3.8L engine -- yet . . . Help. What should we do??? What secret warranties are out there??? Do we need to worry about the transmission??? Any advice would be appreciated.
  • HCLEMOHCLEMO Member Posts: 19
    The 1995 Windstars do have weak headgaskets and currently the warranty on this has been extended to 7 years/100,000 miles. You need to determine whether the rod failure was due to a blown headgasket. If so, the Ford extended warranty should cover it. I am not sure what Ford will do about repairs done at a Chrysler dealer.

    The transmission in the 1995s has an aluminum shift piston which is weak. When it goes, you will have trouble with the transmission engaging when you take off from a stop. As far as I know, Ford has not extended the warranty on the transmissions yet. As a whole, the AXOD-E transmission in the 1995 WS has a very high failure rate.

    Keep all of your repair receipts, and follow the Ford recommendations to the letter about service intervals (especially servicing the transmission every 30K).

    Also, find a GOOD Ford dealer in your area--you will probably be spending a lot of time with them. You will also need their cooperation in possible Ford warranty issues.
  • bnormannbnormann Member Posts: 335
    NO BULL#$%^ , please. Redacted profanity is not allowed any more than the "real" thing.

    Your host, Bruce.
  • bblahabblaha Member Posts: 329
    I apologize. I have scribbled my post.

    vpmarolla:
    This is what I said, with an appropriate change:

    I have to second what HCLEMO said; find another
    dealer. Saying that he (your current dealer) has
    never heard of a problem w/ the 95 Windstar is
    false.

    Lie to me once, shame on you. Lie to me twice,
    shame on me.
  • bnormannbnormann Member Posts: 335
    Thanks, bblaha.

    Bruce
  • rgoober2rgoober2 Member Posts: 1
    Our 95 Windstar blew the headgasket at 65k, Ford covered the repair. Two weeks ago at 80k, the engine blew a rod. We towed it to the dealership in Winchester, MA (Bonnell Ford) where we bought it and had it serviced. The owner of the dealership called us right away. He told us we needed a new engine and that Ford would cover a new engine (he said it was a new factory engine, and would take about 8 weeks). He put us in a rental for free in the interem.

    Like everyone else, our first reaction was never buy another Ford. We thought we would have it fixed and then trade it for a Honda Oddyssey.

    We researched the trade-in value for our Winstar and it was ugly. We estimated under $4,000 from Honda dealers.

    Bonnel Ford offered the following alternative to repair...$6,650 on trade for the car as is, plus $3000 from Ford, plus $1500 more from Ford per a current sales event.

    The total $11,150 towards a new 2000 Windstar got our attention. We were nervous about the negative stigma attached to the Windstar, however, a net of $7000 more in trade-in value, if we bought Ford again, was hard to pass up.

    As a compromise we chose to lease the new 2000 Windstar for 2 years with 15,000 miles per year. The two year lease keeps us under full warranty for the term of the lease. We just were delivered a new SE loaded, TV in back and all, for $69 a month (we applied the full $11,150 to the term of the lease).

    In less than two weeks we are in a new Windstar, thanks to a reputable and decent dealership in Massachusetts and the desire of Ford to step up and do something about these problem vehicles. We have our fingers crossed that we don't have any more problems.
  • montclairmontclair Member Posts: 1
    My engine went at 102,000 miles. The dealer where I had the car serviced (not where I bought) quoted ~$3500 to replace. I spoke with the owner of the dealership (Dick Matthews, Matthews Ford, Paoli, PA) and he reviewed my service records. He recognized that I serviced the van regularly and he went to bat for me. Two weeks after the engine failure I was back in my van with a new engine. The only cost to me was for towing. Ford and Dick Matthews made good on their products.
  • bsgareybsgarey Member Posts: 1
    My 91 3.8L Tbird Blew Head Gasket on Thanksgiving of 98. I replaced the gasket myself only costing $150 dollars and a days work. The interesting thing was where the gasket blew was a 1/4 inch mark in the head gasket like a chisel gouge or whatever. Blew at 91 thousand. Now have 132 thousand and no more problems. Did not put for gaskets back in.
  • djmicheldjmichel Member Posts: 1
    d by djmichel

    01-Aug-00 at 11:18 PM (ET)

    I also have a 95 ford mustang and had a head gasket failure
    while in San Diego from Phoenix. My vehicle started overheating
    and I took it into a radiator shop where they changed the
    thermostat, pressure checked the radiator, checked for visable
    leaks in the water pump, timing cover etc. After this the water
    level continued to drop so I took the vehicle to a San Diego ford
    dealer who found that the head gaskets were bad. They also told
    me that I need a new radiator, thermostat, and water pump and
    timing chain gaskets, all of which I had just had checked, and did
    not tell them this piece of info. Of course the service writer said
    the cause of my trouble was a bad radiator etc, but they would go
    ahead and charge ford for the head gasket repair if I would have
    the other items repaired. Amazing, a real shake down by a ford
    dealership, who would guess. I told them to fix the head gaskets and I would take
    care of the remained on my return to Phoenix, I still hadn't told
    the service writer that I had already checked the cooling system
    and it checked ok. The service writer than told me if the heads
    went out again that ford would not stand behind them if the other
    work was not done. The heads were changed, it took almost a
    week during which I had to rent a vehicle. When I picked up the
    vhicle I told the service manager and writer about having the
    vehicle cooling system checked prior to bringing in the vehicle for
    the head gasket. Of course the story changes that they were just suggesting the repairs as a preventative measure. Incredible. I then went directly to a radiator shop and had
    the systems checked again. Since having this work performed the
    vehicle just has not run the same, milage is down, the vehicle
    stalls, starts hard, and has poor power. I took the vehicle back
    and was told there is no problem. The check engine light came
    on and I am taking it back to the dealer. I showed the head work
    to a mechanic friend and he was amazed that the mechanic beat
    on all the corners of both heads for unknown reasons. I showed this
    to the dealership and got a shoulder shug. So the bottom line is
    while ford paid to change the gaskets, I now have a totally new
    set of problems. Anyone else have a similar horror story? I would suppose my next step is to contact ford and let them know about the dealer and problems following replacement to the head gaskets.
  • ihateford2ihateford2 Member Posts: 4
    We actually got our Ford Dealership to make us a pretty decent offer. My husband called the dealer to let them know that we were bringing in the van because the transmission was bad. Service Mgr said they would have to diagnose the problem, my husband told them he already knew what it was and asked him if he was aware of the good-will program offered by Ford. He wanted to know where my husband had heard of that. When my husband told the service mgr he had researched it on the internet, he admitted that he knew about it. From the time we called and when we showed up at the dealership he had an offer. The dealership let us by the 6yr/60,000 mile extended warranty that was available when the van was originally purchased. This would cover our transmission diagnoses (which we all know wasn't really needed) and the repairs. They also provide a service loaner which is a lot better then the situation we had with our blown head-gasket but I won't even go there! Anyway, we're paying $495 for the warranty to get the work done and then we will be selling the van before the warranties expire. We still have a year and a half on the engine and it only has 3,000 miles on it. Anybody want to buy a van!!!! New engine, New transmission, New breaks, New alernator, New radio, New horns, New Blower Fan and only 56,000 miles. Like new, Make me an offer!!!! :o)
  • ricca3ricca3 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 97 Windstar with 42770 miles. I brought it in for a NY state inspection, and was told that it was running on only 5 cylinders.
    How can this be I asked, as the check engine light never came on and I did not notice a loss of power.
    The explanation was that their diagnosing machines were unable to interface with my cars processor, so we have no answer. To find out will cost me 250 to 300 dollars in addition to the 1300 to 2000 to fix the head gasket, as there is coolent in the number 3 cylinder.
    As far as contacting Ford, all I have been able to do is get the 800 number and the response is always the same. I can not get someone to tell me who the Ford rep is in my area, or how to contact them.
    I am seriously considering small claims court, since my processor is not working, this problem may have started when my car was under warrenty. Has anyone had any sucess at this, if so who did you take to court and for how much?
    Thanks
  • ihateford2ihateford2 Member Posts: 4
    I would suggest you look at the lemonaidcars.com web site. They have a lot of helpful information. My husband did a lot of research in regards to what was up with Ford and utilized that information in order to get a response from the service manager. The Customer Care Center that you called is a contracted service. They are not actually Ford employees and they sound like they are reading a script when you try to get help from them. Very frustrating. Good luck!
  • bubbabubba1bubbabubba1 Member Posts: 2
    Yes it does exist. I just got a new engine in my '95 T-bird with 66,000 miles. I had to pay $500 or so as a "deductible" and the dealership and Ford paid the rest. There was supposed to be a 12mo/12,000 mile warranty, but the paperwork says valid through Nov. or 75,000 miles. Watch out for it. They'll try to sneak it past you. They'll also probably try to deny that this program exists, BUT IT DOES! Be assertive and deal only with management, not service writers!
  • pjyoungpjyoung Member Posts: 885
    Just curious, but was your 95 T-bird a Super Coupe? I was in small claims court today for my 1993 Tbird. The judge wanted to take a bit longer to review my information, so he'll render his decision by mail next week.

    The reason I ask was that the Ford rep who was in court claimed that the 1994 and 1995 extended warranty on Thunderbirds only applied to the Super Coupes, not the "LX" models.

    I still think I've got a pretty good chance of recovering on this claim, as the judge was asking several questions to the Ford rep about just how different the super coupe engine was from the standard 3.8. Specifically, if two engines were sitting in a garage, one from a super coupe and one from a regular 3.8 (or from a Taurus or Sable), then would it be easy to identify which engine was which, or would a parts list be necessary. The rep told him that the parts list would be needed, because aside from the supercharger, the difference is very difficult to detect.

    Also, as we left the courtroom, the Ford rep was very candid and told me that he'd be willing to bet I'll win.

    I'll post "the verdict" as soon as I hear.
  • euseus Member Posts: 1
    Correction to above posting. Total price including finance charge is $15,462. We're paying $212 in interest over 3 years.
  • pjyoungpjyoung Member Posts: 885
    The ford rep said that the extended warranty on T-Birds and Cougars was for the "supercharged" engines only. Trouble is, I checked Edmunds used car prices and the Cougar doesn't have any Supercharged engines...just the trusty 3.8 or V8 option. Sure hope my case isn't decided on that statement...
  • frankm4frankm4 Member Posts: 2
    I just spent the better part of a Sunday afternoon reading through 464 posts. My sincere thanks to pjyoung and many others for all of their time in knowledge on the HG and tranny problems. I am better off and wiser for their work.

    I am the orig owner of a '95 Windstar. Tranny is just acting up. No HG problems to date (95K miles), though my coolant res is dry. :-(
  • pqschwartzpqschwartz Member Posts: 9
    I have a 1998 Windstar GL with the 3.8 engine. We replaced the transmission under extended warranty at 51000 miles. With all I hear with the head gaskets, does this apply to the 98's or was that problem resolved? Will they offer the warranty on it up to 7 years/100000 miles also? Will they continue the buyback, or should we do that before the extended warranty expires at 75000 miles ( only about 6 months away at this rate)
  • pjyoungpjyoung Member Posts: 885
    The head gaskets appear to have been corrected by 1998, judging from the NHTSA database. The warranty extension for head gaskets, and the "buyback" program is for 1994 and 1995 models only.

    Transmissions are another story. As of right now, there are some consumer groups who are looking into transmission failures, but there is no extended warranty for transmissions, nor is their a "buy back" for transmission problems for any year.
  • lweisslweiss Member Posts: 342
    The certificate for our Windstar was issued in April and did expire on 10/1- maybe it only has a 6 month life after being issued.

    Anyway, we used the $4K certificate and and the current $2K rebate, after selling our 95 Windstar LX, on a new Windstar SE, loaded with leather, lots of new and upgraded features- total with everything (tax, etc.) was $24,313, net was $17,113. Very nice van, very accomodating dealer. No problems with our new van (thus far !!!), not even a rattle.
  • pat455pat455 Member Posts: 603
    Go check out this topic, here is a link:

    Ask Edmunds.com's Online Service Advisor.

    Pat
    Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
  • dfilleydfilley Member Posts: 1
    Anyone have information on a Windstar 1996 GL model. We are considering purchasing one and heard that Ford fixed most problems found with the 3.8 engine in the 94 & 95 models. Any info would be appreciated
  • pjyoungpjyoung Member Posts: 885
    If possible, check the door panel for the build date. Ford appears to have finally gotten the problem resolved in 1997 & 1998 models, but a quick check at the NHTSA site shows 52 complaints for 1996 models...that's way more than they should have. If the vehicle you're looking at was an early 1996, it MAY still have the head gasket problem. Check out http://www.nthsa.gov and search the "Customer Complaints" database to get an idea of potential problem areas with the 1996. Be sure to specify "Ford Truck" in the "Make" field.
  • joe217joe217 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 95 Windstar LX. The exhaust sensor went out last year at about 80,000 miles. No other problems at the time. When Ford changed the warranty on head gasket coverage to 100,000 miles, I was already at 104,000. After reading about head gasket problems in Edmunds, I checked the coolant reservoir-empty! I immediately had it checked at the Ford dealership and they said the head gasket was fine.
    After 6 months of occasionally adding coolant, the engine began missing when first started. I just had it checked again today and now they say the head gasket is out and needs to be replaced.
    Any suggestions on getting Ford to cover a portion or all of the repair?
  • njdaddynjdaddy Member Posts: 3
    Update on my post from a couple of weeks ago. All was fine until the next road trip - now the 95 is at a dealer 100+ miles from home waiting behind all the firestone tire problems - into the shop on friday - hopefully looked at by Monday - no promises, of course. My wife was with the three kids - these problems always happen at the worst times - and had to rent a car to get home. She wasn't sure if it was engine or trans, but it was running rough and bucking a bit.

    We already had the motor replaced 6 mos ago and just had seals and gaskets replaced on trans. Still less than 60k on the beast - if it's the hg problem - I'm going to try for the buyout & trade-in - I'm not going to take another trans service - time for them to pony up and replace it. fed up & fuming - needed to vent - i'll re-post next week with latest response from the masters of denial at Ford.
  • haulthault Member Posts: 130
    The misteriously disappearing coolant and check engine/O2 sensor are the first signs of headgasket problem. Ford's standard dealer check does not detect the problem. Request reimbursment based on the previous history. Tell them you have seen the same problems on the internet and FORD took responcibility for their problems.
  • hankb2hankb2 Member Posts: 1
    In addition to the head gasket problem which we just discovered, we have also had a lot of electrical / computer problems with our 95 Windstar. The first thing we noticed was that the driver's side window would not always operate. Then the speedometer went a little wonky (which is very strange) and now the engine light is coming on for no apparent reason. Through all of this, the dealer has been unable to figure-out what is wrong. But he hasn't had any trouble billing me to try to find-out! I would be interested in finding-out if anybody else has had any of these problems.
  • farmteacherfarmteacher Member Posts: 1
    Our driver side window would come down when we were driving down the road. The service person said that that was impossible... until they drove it. The ABS light came on when we drove it off the lot with 17,000 miles on it. All of those sensors have been replaced and the light still kept coming on. The light was disconnected by service people. The engine light came on and we had to replace the oxygen sensor. The speedometer went wonky for us also and still has a strange buzz even though it has been replaced. At 60,000 miles we can tell by the odor that we have a head gasket problem. We have had it worked on and they can't find a leak. It is so frustrating. What next? Please not the transmission.
  • jc88jc88 Member Posts: 6
    I too had problems with the head gasket on my 93 Taurus. I had to start adding anti-freeze about 90k (about a pint every 2k). I changed the radiator because of an end cap leak at 108k and that's when I really noticed problems. The heater didn't want to work. I changed all the hoses, the termastat and flushed the system and it still didn't work very well. Then I noticed at 138k the radiator overflow was overflowing and when the engine cooled down it wasn't sucking the fluid back into the radiator. I then filled the radiator up and filled the overflow to the proper level and started the engine. I then observed the everflow container. It was blowing bubbles (exhaust into the coolant system). I then parked the car and started searching for a new car. I used to be a Ford man, but I setted on a Chrysler Town and Country. Drove my Taurus to the dealer and traded it. Ford has had too many problems with this 3.8L. They should fix them all regardless of years or miles.
  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    I wonder when Ford is going to wake-up and start building a decent automobile. To add to the horror stories on the Windstar, let me start out by saying that when we bought our 98 (presently 28,000 miles and about 3 months left on the 3 yr warranty), we were concerned with safety for the 3 kids. The new Honda Odyssey (a preferred van) was not yet out or just coming out. After having the van for a few days, we noticed that the transmission was clunking coming out of 1st gear when going slow. Sometimes it hit so hard that it would jerk you in the seat. The dealer said this was a common problem on the NEW '98 Windstars. Solution: transmission rebuild. After doing that, the painted bumper and the molding around the grill were marred and scratched. Solution: touch-up paint by the dealer--NOT good enough. Complained on FORDs hotline--Solution re-painted the front bumper and trim area. Finally that looked okay. But now the transmission clunks slightly when downshifting from 2nd to 1st when slowing down. Sometimes it clunks from 1st to 2nd when accelerating hard after you leave off on the gas (i.e., if you don't maintain acceration into 2nd). This happens for example when you get moving out of an intersection with traffic coming but need to leave off on the gas after you get moving. Also, when highway driving in alot of stop-and-go traffic, and after the van is well-heated up, the transmission has a loose feeling. It is sort like slack in the driveline--akin to what I used to feel in old V8 rear-wheel drives with 90,000 miles and bad U-joints in the rear. Has anyone noticed these effects, and are these an alarm signal? Finally, there are plenty of other problems, like the power driver seat. Ford had put in a sliding seat to compensate for the single sliding door. A cable that allowed the seat to go back broke. Replaced that. The vinyl on the side of the driver seat cracked--replaced that. The seat frame itself sounded like it had a broken weld--cracking noises over bumps-replaced the seat frame and cushion. Now the seat frame is loose on the tracks--Ford service says this is normal. In the winter time, the power back windows operate only part of the time and the power lock operates only part of the time on the sliding door. Ford says they can not fix these problems because, they never happen on our scheduled repair visit. If anyone has had similar effects from the transmission, I would like to know. Thanks.
  • bubbabubba1bubbabubba1 Member Posts: 2
    No, my '95 T-Bird is not a super coupe.
  • pjyoungpjyoung Member Posts: 885
    I didn't think it would be. I still haven't gotten a judgement on my small claims case yet...the judge is out of town on business for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I'll hear something after Labor day.
  • frankm4frankm4 Member Posts: 2
    Does anyone know if Ford fixed the tranny problem?

    My 95 Windstar went to the dealer on yesterday (8/15). All I learned was that there has been no warranty extension on the tranny. But, the service department feels the piston is crack and there may be a seal problem. I think they also determined the head gasket is leaking. Whatever they found, it was enough that they are asking Ford about buying back my van.

    But, I don't want another Ford if Ford hasn't figured out the tranny problem and fixed it in later model years. Anyone heard?
  • bjocbjoc Member Posts: 1
    Hi Everybody!
    I'm owner of a Ford Thunderbird 3.8 V6 LX (modell year: 1989) in Hungary. What I need is an Owner's Guide. If somebody can help me, please!
  • wolf57wolf57 Member Posts: 1
    I bought a used 95 Windstar with the 3.8 six. We had the head gasket repaired at Ford's expense about 3 months after purchase. However the damage had apparently been done. The engine started banging crossing the Kangamangus H'way in New Hamsphire last summer. We limped back down and the local Ford dealer fixed it up for $450.00 and advised that I get rid of the vehicle before the next 20K miles. The engine was always noisy to the point that I hated driving it but it kept going. We went to trade it in on a Honda CRV in early August '00 and a former Ford guy at the Honda dealer told us the engine was shot and the best he could do was about $3,000 short of the wholesale value. We walked out. I logged onto Edmunds the next day and found this forum and learned about the buy back from Ford. Good Bros Ford in Randolph, MA was straight up with us. Dave Good looked at the van, cleared it for the buyback and with the $3,000 offer from Ford with a $1,500 rebate on Explorers we picked up the new Explorer today. I ran the Explorer on Edmunds.com and read some complaints about the tranny and bought the 100K powertrain warranty. A week ago Sunday, I was planning on a $3,000 loss and thanks to Edmunds, Ford and Good Bros. Ford, We're getting ready to go on vacation in a brand new full size SUV at the cost of a Honda CRV. I take my hat off to Ford and am especially thankful to Edmunds.com and Good Bros. Ford in Randolph, MA.
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