Engine Rattling And Whining Sounds Problems of Ford Windstar

While driving 65 mph the engine was producing a loud rattling noise. The dealer stated head gasket failed. As a result, the entire engine needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that while driving the vehicle the heat would not work it only blew cold air. A few minutes into driving the consumer noticed that the tempreture gauge was going in the red zone. The engine starting rattling and died. The consumer saw smoke coming from under the hood.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

At approximately 57,600 miles my 1998 Ford Windstar developed an antifreeze leak. I took the vehicle to my local garage and it was diagnosed as a leak at the timing cover gasket. I had this repaired at a cost of $1453. Two weeks later, as I was driving to a baseball game, my car began to stall. It was hard to start, and the oil light was flickering when the car was running and there was a loud rattle coming from the engine. There was no warning before this happened, the temperature gauge was normal, no rattling sounds from the engine,etc. I had the car towed back to my local garage. My mechanic diagnosed the rattling noise as coming from the lower bearings, the engine bearings were failing at 57,800 miles!!!! I called my local Ford dealer where I had bought the Windstar and asked them if there were any open programs on the engine, since when the timing cover gasket had failed, I had searched the internet to see if this was a common failure( it was). The Ford dealer was no help, I then called Ford customer service and they were no help. I then wrote a letter to william clay Ford and he had a blaine yung call me on 5/8/2004. Mr. Yung was also no help, quoting that the warranty was 3 yrs. /36,000 miles. Meanwhile I had to have the car repaired at a cost of $4200, new remanufactured engine, tune-up, etc. I believe that the defect on the timing cover gasket which caused the original antifreeze leak, leaked antifreeze into the crankshaft and caused the engine failure. This car has been well maintained and should have gotten me at least to 120,000 miles before I need to replace an engine. I have owned many other cars and have gotten at 150,000 miles out of them before I had to do any major repairs (engine or transmission). I feel Ford should back their products and own up to this defect.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

While driving at a speed of 40mph. The Windstar began to unexpectedly shudder and make a loud rattling noise. Engine check light flashed and the van violently bucked. We managed to get to our house. Van would not start after turning off. Dealer called and van towed. Dealer checked problem and found the #5 piston had failed and had caused major engine damage and failure. Est. Replacement cost $4,000. Dealer was not sure if this was related to the earlier model Windstar 3. 8l v-6 problems causing failure. I am the second owner and warranty is expired. We are waiting to hear from Ford but the dealer said they may decline to assist in replacement cost. I now have a $16,000 blue paperweight. The sudden jerkiness of the engine failure almost caused my wife and two kids to run off the road . The piston in the motor dropped down into the oilpan area. Engine now has to be replaced at 48,692. Miles. Doing research into your database, from owners of 1995 Windstars and a few 1999 models, I noticed a similarity in detail descriptions of the head gasket failure and resulting engine failure. This vehicle was very well maintained, I am the second owner. It was purchased new as a leased vehicle. I bought it after the lease was over. I hope you can investigate this engine flaw/defect with Ford and I can get satisfaction.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Whenever driving at a high rate of speed would experience a rattling noise near engine area. Vehicle does not shake when this happens. Taken to dealershp at least twice for problem, but mechanic could not locate cause of problem.