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Ford Windstar

804 messages,  Last post on Sep 24, 2012 at 2:07 PM

You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Ford Windstar Cargo, Van

Messages Page 52 of 81

#511 of 804 RE: Head Gaskets by crkeehn

Aug 30, 2001 (11:49 am)

The book is still open on that one. Certainly the matter has improved with the 1996 and newer vans, critics will argue that they have just not been in service long enough.
 
I had purchased my 96 Windstar in 1997 and at that time there were already a large number of posts about problems with the 1995 engines. Problems arose very quickly, not long out of warrantee. Although there have been some complaints about problems with 96 and newer, there have certainly not been as many, nor as early a problem as with the 95's. In 1996 the engine power for the Windstar 3.8L engine was bumped from 150+ hp to 200 hp. At the same time there was a redesigned head gasket design. In 1997, the head gasket was redesigned yet again, the 1997 might be the most troublefree of all the Windstars.
 
Other Ford cars that used the 3.8L engine didn't benefit from the modifications made to the Windstar engine and the head gaskets on those may continue to be problematic.

#512 of 804 Thanks by autolover3

Aug 30, 2001 (5:25 pm)

As always, it is nice to hear information from educated people willing to take time to answer questions. Thanks for the above advice. These posts sure come in handy. Thank you.

#513 of 804 Winstars engines have NOT been changed by mweitzhandler

Aug 31, 2001 (1:19 pm)

We sued Ford in small claims court because of head gasket / engine failure in our 96 Windstar. We were awarded $3600 in damages. A field service engineer from Ford testified (for Ford) at the trial that the 3.8L V6 engine in Windstars has NOT been changed. Ford did change the cooling system in 96 and later models. The reason that there are fewer postings of 96 and later models with head gasket failure is twofold:
1)Ford sold fewer Windstars in 96 and later models (introduction of remodeled Chrysler van in 96 and later appearance of Sienna and Odyssey took away sales from Windstar). Their sales are down 30% this year. Secondly, most head gasket failures with Windstars occur between 50000 and 80000 miles. 96 and later models are increasingly accumulating this mileage level and the number of head gasket complaints with respect to 96 and later models is accordingly rising.

#514 of 804 RE: Winstars engines have NOT been changed by jvirginia

Aug 31, 2001 (5:46 pm)

You're right. Many of us have done our best to convey this point to unsuspecting buyers. At this point, the only comment left to make to new purchasers of new and used Ford vehicles with 3.8 liter engines is: You have been informed, advised, and warned of past failures and continuing deficiencies. Good luck to you all.

#515 of 804 97 Windstar LX w/60K for $10000 a good deal? by theknuths

Sep 04, 2001 (7:09 am)

Hello all,
 
I have the oppurtunity to purchase a 1997 Windstar LX with 60K miles on it for $10,000. The vehicle has new tires and is loaded with almost all the goodies of this model year. The vehicle has a buzz coming from the instrument cluster when driving at high speeds and the passenger door weatherstriping is slightly torn, otherwise it drives great (tons of power!).
 
Is this a good deal? Should I expect a price under $10000? Should I hold out for a Nissan Quest for the same price?

#516 of 804 by davids1

Sep 11, 2001 (4:28 am)

I saw a 1999 model with 50K miles the other day for $12,000 on a dealers lot. $10,000 for yours sounds high.

#517 of 804 $10000 a good deal? NO NO NO!!!!! by mweitzhandler

Sep 12, 2001 (1:44 pm)

This vehicle is in the mileage area where these vehicles experience head gasket failure ($2000 to replace)/ engine failure ($4500 to replace & you'll only get a 1 yr 12000 warranty)/ transmission failure (also $2000 to replace). Windstars have 100 x the rate of the above failures compared to other manufacturers. The 3.8 V6 engine in the 97 is the SAME engine that is in the 94 & 95 Windstars. Ford had a buyback program to buy back these vehicles last year and they only offered $6600. Consider yourself forewarned.

#518 of 804 question for jvirginia by trankin1

Sep 14, 2001 (8:21 pm)

Jerry, I've gone through court ordered (& Ford requested) arbitration to try to settle our suit in Small Claims Court without going to trial. Ford was just feeling us out to see if we had any real ammunition and refused to negotiate at all. Now we're just waiting for the trial date to be set, but I need your help.
Ford's defence in this case will be that the blown head gasket and subsequent repair were in no way related to the complete engine blowing just 7 months later. These two repairs have cost ME over $6000, and I will not let Ford get away with looking the other way on this. There is no question that the blown head gasket forced the coolant into the cylinders which ultimately caused the engine to seize.
My question is...Are you, or anyone else out there, aware of ANY documentation that would support this fact. The arbitrator stated that THIS would be the most important piece of evidence that I could present to the court. If you'd prefer to contact me directly, my e-mail address is rankinselgin.net

#519 of 804 trankin1 re: head gaskets by jvirginia

Sep 16, 2001 (6:38 pm)

I'm not sure exactly what your attorney is looking for, but Ford's own notification letter sent to owners of vehicles covered by the warranty extension indicates that extensive engine damage/failure could occur from premature failure of head gaskets.
The following websites also offer additional recent (June and September 2001) articles which confirm the above statement:

 http://www.autosafety.org/autodefects/FORD-3.8L.htm
 http://www.autosafety.org/pressreleases/GASKET.htm

Here are some excerpts from the above sites:

"The notification, Ford Service Campaign 98M01, warned owners that "premature failure of head gaskets could cause engine failure."

"Head-gasket repairs can cost $1,000. But if coolant damages the engine, it may need more serious work, which can cost $3,000 or more."

"What is the head gasket? It seals the top of the engine, or cylinder head, to the bottom of the engine. When it leaks, it can allow coolant to escape. If the coolant leaks inside the engine, or the engine overheats badly, the engine can be destroyed.

What are the symptoms of failure? Ford says the symptoms are persistent and worsening overheating; heavy, white smoke from the tailpipe; a flashing warning light for "low coolant;" and the constant loss of coolant. Some customers also reported that the heater stopped generating heat before the gasket failed."

There is even an example of an engine failing within 10,000 miles after the head gaskets were replaced from the original damage:

"...Then in August 1999 with roughly 77,000 miles on the odometer, a mechanic told her the head gasket was gone and soon she was going to need a new engine, which would be about $3,000.

Edwards didn't have the money for a new engine, so the Sable sat for three months until a friend made some free, stopgap repairs including a new head gasket. That allowed her to drive it another 10,000 miles until May 2000 when the engine died ..."

Also see the following site for a view of the Ford Service Campaign 98M01:

http://home.att.net/%7Eccatanese/ford/SP_98M01x.htm

I hope this helps.

#520 of 804 THANKS FOR YOUR HELP jvirginia by trankin1

Sep 16, 2001 (7:16 pm)

Thanks a million Jerry. That info should really help us out. I'll keep you posted on how this all shakes out in court.
ps - no lawyers, this is a Canadian Small Claims court...just me and my wife against Ford's lawyer in front of a judge.
Thanks again

Messages Page 52 of 81

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