Six problems related to coolant leaking have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1998 Ford Windstar 3. 8l engine, head bolts stretched causing coolant leak into engine, head gasket was not blown so wynn's service contract will not pay for $1800 repair. This is the second major expense, I had to replace the transmission at 80,000 miles.
Took van in to have routine oil change and coolant replaced. Repair shop said the head gaskets were gone. Called Ford customer service they said sorry but no help was available. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Bill to repair estimated at 1400 usd. Van has been maintained and given good service. Don't think head gaskets should leak at 76000 miles.
I have maintained my 1998 Ford Windstar very well - having all recommended maintenace performed. It has only 80,000 miles on it and the head gasket now has a leak. Coolant has leaked into the #4 cylinder. The dealer wants $3500-4500 to put a new engine in it. The head gasket leaking is a known problem with Windstars. Ford has has a program for earlier models to replace the engine. But Ford has yet to apply the program to the 1998 models. I expect a Ford vehicle to get at least 180,000 miles when the owner has all recommended maintenance completed. I want Ford to pay for a new engine! I was to put another 100,000 miles on that van.
Head gasket failure, coolant leaked into cylindar, bent connecting rod.
The 1998 Ford Windstar 3. 8l v-6 engine's head gasket leaked on our Windstar and the coolant contaminated the engine oil, which created engine failure due to excess bearing wear. In the last 2,000 miles we lost approximately 2 quarts of coolant. Ford says it does not have a recall for the 3. 8l head gasket problem and will not compensate us for the costs of installing a new fqr 3. 8l engine. The new fqr engine only has a 24 month/24,000 mile warranty, which may fail again after the 2year/24,000 mile and the customer is taken advantage of again! Ford is aware of the 3. 8l engine head gasket problem and has had the problem since 1988 model year. Ford has issued two onps (owner notification program) 98m01 which extended the warranty for 5years/60,000 through 1995 model years, and the 00m09 which extended the 98m01 warranty to 7years/100,000. I have checked the NHTSA complaint database and found they are still having problems with the 3. 8l head gaskets through the 1999 Windstars, mustangs, sables, taurus, Lincoln continentals, and cougars. Many of these vehicles are having the problem as early 18,000 to 36,000 miles but the bulk are having the problems in excess of 3years/36,000 and the customer is stuck with a huge repair bill, of $4,000 to $6,000 dollars. Ford claims they corrected the problem after the 1995 model year with new head gaskets even though it is obvious the problem has not been corrected. Ford has sold and still may be selling a product that is defective that could lead to creating accidents with multiple fatalities. Ford has admitted to the fact that the 3. 8l head gaskets should not fail before 7 years/100,000 miles for vehicles manufactured through 1995 with the 00m09 owner notification program. Ford is still having a problem with the 3. 8l head gaskets failing through the 1999 model year! why aren't they taking care of these problems. Why hasn't the government (NHTSA) investigated this and permit Ford to take advantage of the consumer?.
A/c oct. 99 $168. 98, Dec. 99 $134. 40 suspension July 01 $664. 61, Dec. 99 $515. 85, Jun 01 $61. 78, body Jun 01 $443. 61 other cd player Jun 01 $19. 50 and $366. 86 turn signal Jan 02 $161. 04 dome light Jan 02 $84. 02 Jan 02 $89. 72 door oct 99 $134. 52, Mar 03 $285. 07 steering sept. 02 $258. 82, Mar. 03 569. 32 computer controls sept. 00 $106. 02 engine Jan 02 $784. 75 coolant smell (found front cover gasket leaking) sept. 02 85. 95 (told throttle body worn out, sold me update computer software, seams to run better) currently in shop for check engine light and a/c system intermittent. Mechanic found engine problem, says main bearings or crankshaft bad, possibly due to coolant in oil system from January 02 problem.