18 problems related to engine head gasket failure have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Engine oil found in coolant. Timing cover gasket failure. Loud engine knock from rear valve bank- possible wrist-pin/lower intake gaskets/valve problems.
The head gasket on my 1998 Ford winstar 3. 8l engine has failed at 90,000 miles, well short of what I would have expected. It appears that Ford has issued a recall for older 3. 8l engines which have had head gasket failures, but not for this model year. I am registering this complaint in the event that other Ford owners are experiencing the same problem.
Head gasket failed.
Head gasket failure leading to complete engine failure.
Failed head gasket in 3. 8l engine.
Consumer states that the engine head gasket failed. Dealer notified.
The head gasket failed. A technical service bulletin was issued for the earlier models.
Head gasket failure. Faulty head gasket design in my opinion abs/traction control unit. Current problem TSB states that fuel tank manufactured with incorrect depth - fuel pump wiring is rubbed until electrical short occurs - and fuel pump fuse blows - vehicle is then stuck in traffic, in the middle of an intersection etc. Fords recommended fix is to replace the fuel tank and pump assembly however, they will not contribute anything to the cost of the repairs caused due to their faulty design.
Head gasket failure on 3. 8 liter v-6 engine.
Head gasket failure/replacement - Ford has had ongoing problems with the head gaskets on the 3. 8 engines. Ford informed me that they do have "programs" for this problem on earlier models but have not extended them to cover the 98 models. While my Windstar is a 98 model it was built in January of 1997.
Brake hose leak caused a sudden total loss of breaking power. Amazingly, there was no accident. The gasket failure was attended to at the first hint of a problem, since I had the same problem on my Ford taurus one month prior.
Unexpected catastrophic engine failure. Low milage vehicle with complete service records and no warning threw piston rod during normal operation. Dealer estimates cost to repair at $4900. Dealer estimates damage due to failed head gasket. Antifreeze leak filled cylinders.
Engine failure 1 month after head gasket replacement and approximately 2000 miles.
# 4 cylinder was checked by Ford dealer as defect, but it was headgasket paid $300. 00 for computer check wrong information, car kept stalling before and after installation due to head gasket failure while making turns or sudden stops.
1998 Windstar head gasket failure. The consumer noticed the coolant was low and had it to topped off. The coolant level continued to fall. The mechanic refused to change either fluid due to the head gasket failure. There was a recall on the 95' models but it appeared that Ford did not fix the problem. Refer to odi# 10028678.
I have had 2 Windstars - the first a 1995 had multiple problems. The dealer - premier Ford would not fix the van and Ford's complaint department was tedious and unresponsive. Therefore, I turned to arbitration which resulted in replacement of the vehicle under the lemon law in nc. Because of this, I reluctantly purchased a 1998 Windstar. This vehicle has had the head gasket replaced before it had 36,000 miles. It started stalling. The van was taken to lee motor, a Ford dealer in wilson, nc. They could not find anything. Since that time, it has continued to stall at least 5 times that I can document. It has concerned me that the recent news regarding stalling includes up to 1995 Windstars. There is a very great safety issue here - as great if not worse than the problems with the much publicized tire recall.
Piston and gasket failed causing the vehicle to shift harshly and make noise.
Vehicle was losing anti freeze , and engine would keep getting close to overheating. Contacted dealer, and dealer replaced head gasket.