Windstar engine question
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From: Colorado
Windstar engine question
Brother in law just called, appears he has blown a head gasket on his 1996 3.8 ltr. Windstar. Had a mechanic at a heavy equipment dealer inspect it and when they pulled the dipstick all they found was sludge. Van wasn't overheating at the time it quit according to B.I.L. It had stalled a couple of times within a few miles of getting it looked at.
What would be a good price for replacing the blown head gasket? Somewhere he got a price of around $1k. We are trying to decide whether or not to repair or replace the van. He uses it daily for our business. I have looked at Kelly's Blue Book and find the value of this year van with it's equipment to be between $2K and $3.5K. Of course, that is with a good engine. Overall the van is in very good condition.
Van has 115K miles on it so that is part of the equation as well.......
What would be a good price for replacing the blown head gasket? Somewhere he got a price of around $1k. We are trying to decide whether or not to repair or replace the van. He uses it daily for our business. I have looked at Kelly's Blue Book and find the value of this year van with it's equipment to be between $2K and $3.5K. Of course, that is with a good engine. Overall the van is in very good condition.
Van has 115K miles on it so that is part of the equation as well.......
Last edited by rikfish; Feb 24, 2005 at 06:25 PM.
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
$1000 is cheap. When I was doing these for Ford in 1999-2000, we were getting $1800-$2300. A tech I worked with charged me $1300 to do one on a Taurus wagon in '99, and that was in his own garage in his spare time. Honestly, though, I'd have to think seriously about putting ANY money into a '96 Windstar with 100K plus on the odometer. Is the B-I-L in a position where he just can't afford to buy another vehicle right now?
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From: Colorado
Jeff,
We have been talking about replacing this van recently. B.I.L. gets paid mileage for his usage, which could cover a large part of the payment for a new van. We are a small partnership franchise (4 people), with one retail store and 2 vans running around selling our products. We go to businesses and sell snack food and candy to the employees while they are at work. The business also owns one van which I use 3 days a week. We bought this one used, outright, and so far it has worked well. (95 Plymouth Voyager)
Our needs in a van are pretty basic, good A/C, well insulated for summer as some of our products are very sensitive to warm temperatures. It would be nice to have other creature comforts for sure, but a cargo style mini van is sufficient. We can install insulation ourselves.
Anyway, I thought $1K sounded a little low too, but we do have some good contacts through the business that might give us a break. Kind of hate to scrap this van as overall it is in good shape, has most all of the amenities.
Yup, we go to our local Ford dealer every other week on business! Youse guys in the car business have a healthy appetite for our products!
We have been talking about replacing this van recently. B.I.L. gets paid mileage for his usage, which could cover a large part of the payment for a new van. We are a small partnership franchise (4 people), with one retail store and 2 vans running around selling our products. We go to businesses and sell snack food and candy to the employees while they are at work. The business also owns one van which I use 3 days a week. We bought this one used, outright, and so far it has worked well. (95 Plymouth Voyager)
Our needs in a van are pretty basic, good A/C, well insulated for summer as some of our products are very sensitive to warm temperatures. It would be nice to have other creature comforts for sure, but a cargo style mini van is sufficient. We can install insulation ourselves.
Anyway, I thought $1K sounded a little low too, but we do have some good contacts through the business that might give us a break. Kind of hate to scrap this van as overall it is in good shape, has most all of the amenities.
Yup, we go to our local Ford dealer every other week on business! Youse guys in the car business have a healthy appetite for our products!
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Connecticut
windstar front end problems
Sorry to hear about the head gasket. Luckily i befriended a ford tech who retorqued my head bolts and instructed me to use stop leak at every oil change to prevent mine from going.(still original headgasket at 175000miles) The motor can go forever, providing the gaskets hold up! However I did get a new tranny at 130000, so if you need a major engine repair, you may want to consider refurbing the tranny while you are at it. I personally prefer the power of the 3.8 over the weeny 3.3 and 3.0 voyagers, siennas and odesseys. Just my two cents!
Last edited by windstarme; Feb 24, 2005 at 10:34 PM.
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Add to my concerns, with the water in the oil problem and stalling, I am worried about the possibility of scoring some bearings, etc. I've never heard any good running 10water30 weight oil............
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Besides the head gaskets these engines also have problems with the timing cover gaskets. They can leak coolant into the oil too. Coolant in the oil eats bearings pretty quickly.
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From: Colorado
Dave,
B.I.L did say he thought he saw some moisture on the side of the engine while they were looking at it. He is NOT mechanically inclined, so I try to not ask too specific of questions. I found out he had it towed to the local Ford dealer yesterday. Have to wait and see what they say now.
Any idea for cost? Both head or timing cover replacement?
B.I.L did say he thought he saw some moisture on the side of the engine while they were looking at it. He is NOT mechanically inclined, so I try to not ask too specific of questions. I found out he had it towed to the local Ford dealer yesterday. Have to wait and see what they say now.
Any idea for cost? Both head or timing cover replacement?
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