3.8 head gasket question
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
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3.8 head gasket question
I'm looking to buy a vehicle (2002-2003) with the 3.8, but have heard that 3.8's have had problems with blowing head gaskets. Does anyone know if Ford has fixed that problem, and if so what year did that occur? Thanks for your help.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Ford 3.8 head gasket question
I'm looking to buy a vehicle (2002-2003) with the 3.8, but have heard that 3.8's have had problems with blowing head gaskets. Does anyone know if Ford has fixed that problem, and if so what year did that occur? Thanks for your help.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
Likes: 5
From: NJ where fun comes to die
My son had one. 95 I think. Blew the rear gasket. The other consideration is with his car there was no room to do anything. To replace the water pump you had to lift the engine. Probably they are better now.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,595
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From: IL
Not sure about 95's, but I replaced the water pump and I never had to pull the motor!?! As for the head gasket problem, it was exactly that a problem with the gasket. I put on a Felpro at 100k miles. I don't think they're having problems with them now! Still running, riding, and looking excellent at 155k miles.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,779
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From: Foothills of NC
I had a '94 Mercury Sable that Ford replaced the engine in three times because of the head gaskets. The third Ford reman was put in in 2001. It needed another engine when I traded it in May 2002.
The car had plenty of power, but 30,000 miles was about it on a set of head gaskets.
The car had plenty of power, but 30,000 miles was about it on a set of head gaskets.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 155
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From: Moundsville, WV
We used to do 2-3 head gasket jobs a week in our shop in the 90's but haven't seen one in a long time now. Ford stopped using the 3.8 in the Taurus/Sable platform in 1996, and the changed the design in the Windstar and Mustang about the same time.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 964
Likes: 1
From: Roseburg, OR
I know for sure that the '99-up V6 3.8s use a different head design that is far less prone to this kind of failure. The older design put a few water passages very close to the fire ring, and that's where they fail. The newer design uses coolant passages much like the Supercoupe motors used which are shaped differently and moved away from the combustion chamber.
FWIW, you can pretty much eliminate the problem in the older motors by making sure your heads and block are very true, using a good gasket (Felpros are good), using brand new ARP head bolts, and making sure you keep your cooling system in good shape.
FWIW, you can pretty much eliminate the problem in the older motors by making sure your heads and block are very true, using a good gasket (Felpros are good), using brand new ARP head bolts, and making sure you keep your cooling system in good shape.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
Fordsflylow, it was a Taurus. When he bought it he got a 90 day warranty on it. Luckily the water pump went in two days. The dealer replaced it and said they had to lift the engine. I didn't do it so I am only going from what they say. When I looked at it, I could see it would be a real bear to change. No room anywhere.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
I hate to admit but I find it difficult to find pride in my 95 Windstar with the 3.8l V6.
I drive it easy, we are talking to church on Sunday and back, that is about it, and yes I go to church every Sunday and the wife uses it to drive the kids to school.
I had to do a total Tranny rebuilt at 130k,
The timing cover gaskets starts to leak every 40k to 50k and yes you have to drop the A Frame with engine and transmission every time the gasket needs changing.
Replaced the Engine Head Gaskets at 150k,
Replaced a cracked front cyliner head and new head gaskets again (casting defect) at about 160k,
The entire ABS system has been a real wallet drainer.
Starting to see antifreeze puddles on the driveway again, I guess I am due for another timing cover gasket.
Spent last weekend replacing the Power Steering Pump.
I drive it easy, we are talking to church on Sunday and back, that is about it, and yes I go to church every Sunday and the wife uses it to drive the kids to school.
I had to do a total Tranny rebuilt at 130k,
The timing cover gaskets starts to leak every 40k to 50k and yes you have to drop the A Frame with engine and transmission every time the gasket needs changing.
Replaced the Engine Head Gaskets at 150k,
Replaced a cracked front cyliner head and new head gaskets again (casting defect) at about 160k,
The entire ABS system has been a real wallet drainer.
Starting to see antifreeze puddles on the driveway again, I guess I am due for another timing cover gasket.
Spent last weekend replacing the Power Steering Pump.
