Windstar Oil/coolant problem

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Apr 12, 2004 | 11:29 PM

bobpete

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Windstar Oil/coolant problem

Re: 1999 Ford Windstar 3.8 Liter engine (I think)

My son-in-law is visiting AZ from CA. Oil change shop said they noticed oil in the coolant overflow tank. Ford dealer in AZ says they flushed radiator, warmed up engine, and coolant got more oil infiltration. They want to tear down the engine to investigate. Are there other avenues to explore before the engine is suspect? Perhaps there is a oil cooler on this vehicle? He is concerned that more is being done than necessary.

Apr 13, 2004 | 05:38 AM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

Just pull the tranny dipstick. If the oil in there looks white and frothy, it's the oil cooler for the transmission. If it's not, it's coming from the engine.

Apr 13, 2004 | 09:40 AM

bobpete

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Thanks for the info. The concern was more work was going to be done than necessary. Son-in-law said the transmission fluid was inspected and that it was normal color. Hopefully if it involves $$$$ the engine will last a while. At 68K miles perhaps there a point of negative return on the money!

Last edited by bobpete; Apr 13, 2004 at 09:43 AM. Reason: repeated words

Apr 13, 2004 | 11:41 AM

andyrew

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Head gasket failure was a major problem on the 95-97 3.8 liter windstars, but i thought they had it fixed by 99. perhaps not. If that turns out to be the problem, you might want to take it to a ford dealer even though it is past warranty, because they had a secret warranty program for the head gasket replacements on the 95-97 models (they paid about 75%).

Apr 13, 2004 | 05:52 PM

TEXNTEG

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From: on a mountain road, UT

yup. sounds alot like a headgasket problem in our 90 sable and my dad's various company cars with the 3.8l. good luck.

Apr 13, 2004 | 06:39 PM

76supercab2

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Sounds like head gasket. But I thought it was sorted out by the end of 95. Hope so cause I have a 96. Has 100,000 miles on it. Original plugs (time for a tune up). The only problem so far has been a rusted out freeze plug.

Apr 13, 2004 | 10:27 PM

TEXNTEG

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From: on a mountain road, UT

i don't know if the problem was sorted out until 98 when the 200hp version came out. i say this because v6 mustangs up to 98 were included in the recall.