Any Ford mechanics here familier w/3.8L V6 in '95 Windstar?

[ThisIsMatt]

Head gasket(s) blew this weekend (typical problem, under ford extended head gasket warranty). About a year ago we had it in because it was using coolant (assumed head gasket), but they said "no no, it's the timing cover gasket" (but they could do the head gaskets too at reduced cost if we had them done with the timing cover, what a deal!). We declined any work at that time and have only driven it 3k miles since.

Now they are going to do the head gaskets under warranty, but recommend we do the timing cover gasket, spark plugs, and water pump as well.

They want $999 for everything. I asked him how much for just plugs ($72) and water pump ($134) w/free labor since they're already going to be in there. So that leaves $793 for just the timing cover. Sounds like a complete ripoff to me, so I come here for advice 🙂

So, does the timing cover really have coolant orifices? I find that a little odd if it does. Plugs sound way too expensive, so how hard would they be to replace myself or by my shade tree mechanic? I think the water pump may be a good idea, and it sounds reasonably priced...

Thoughts?

Edit: Van has just over 58k miles on it now

 

[XMan]

That is a horrible engine. Trust me - Xerox uses/used to use Windstars for our fleet. The only thing that saved me from a Suckstar or a Fucus was the fact that I live in a 4WD-required area. 😉

The plugs you could probably do yourself fairly easily. I'd say for $72 bucks, why not let them do it? The plugs and wires will probably run you 30, what's 40?

Here's some interesting links for ya . . .

Cartrackers

press release

interesting site 😉

 

[Angrymarshmello]

PacFanWeb or compuwiz would be the ones that would definetly be able to give you the 411 on this question. I'd PM one of them about it

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: X-Man
That is a horrible engine. Trust me - Xerox uses/used to use Windstars for our fleet. The only thing that saved me from a Suckstar or a Fucus was the fact that I live in a 4WD-required area. 😉

The plugs you could probably do yourself fairly easily. I'd say for $72 bucks, why not let them do it? The plugs and wires will probably run you 30, what's 40?

JMHO, but I'd say have them do the head gasket under warranty, the plugs, and the water pump. I have not heard of the timing cover gasket having problems; I will check for ya.

Yeah, I'm well aware (and have been) that the engine is a POS (ford in itself is a POS 🙂). What's $40? $40 is $40 man 😛

 

[N8Magic]

WOW!

After doing a little reading, this seems to be the going price to get the work done. Apparently, the gasket itself is cheap but they book 10 hours to do the job as they supposedly need to drop the entire engine to get at all of the bolts.

The problem is a common one, because Ford decided to make the timing cover out of aluminum which eventually warps and allows coolant to escape. They solve this problem by putting in a thicker gasket which allows for more expansion.

Good luck.

 

[Evadman]

Expensive timing cover. But yes, it seems to be the going rate. Ick.

I would have them do the water pump no question. As for the plugs, and wires, I would also have them do it. the rear plugs are b!tch to get to because of the transverse mounting of the engine.

Make sure you get a nice long warranty.

 

[Deeko]

my parents have a '95 windstar that had its head gasket go. that doesnt help you though.

 

[mastertech01]

Yes it is true that the 3.8 1995 Windstar was notorious for headgasgets. Ford extended the warranty for that year Windstar headgasgets to 7 years or 100,000 miles as a result. The front cover gasgets also were a problem.. you may be able to get Ford to help out with that cost as well if you call Ford directly.

Dont be surprized if the O2 sensors are also contaminated and may require replacement.

Personally, since it is a rather low mileage car, I would have the headgasgets repaired by Ford, have the spark plugs replaced... and TRADE IT IN ON A LATER MODEL.. 🙂

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Yes it is true that the 3.8 1995 Windstar was notorious for headgasgets. Ford extended the warranty for that year Windstar headgasgets to 7 years or 100,000 miles as a result. The front cover gasgets also were a problem.. you may be able to get Ford to help out with that cost as well if you call Ford directly.

Dont be surprized if the O2 sensors are also contaminated and may require replacement.

Personally, since it is a rather low mileage car, I would have the headgasgets repaired by Ford, have the spark plugs replaced... and TRADE IT IN ON A LATER MODEL.. 🙂

I second that opinion.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Yes it is true that the 3.8 1995 Windstar was notorious for headgasgets. Ford extended the warranty for that year Windstar headgasgets to 7 years or 100,000 miles as a result. The front cover gasgets also were a problem.. you may be able to get Ford to help out with that cost as well if you call Ford directly.

Dont be surprized if the O2 sensors are also contaminated and may require replacement.

Personally, since it is a rather low mileage car, I would have the headgasgets repaired by Ford, have the spark plugs replaced... and TRADE IT IN ON A LATER MODEL.. 🙂

I second that opinion.

There will be no more fords at this house. 😛 I guess I will try to talk them into at least assisting in the timing cover repair cost. If they won't do that, I'm not sure if we'll have the timing cover work done.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Swwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeettttttttt!!!

Ford doesn't want to help at all! Thx ford I lub u! 😀







:disgust::|

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
Swwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeettttttttt!!!

Ford doesn't want to help at all! Thx ford I lub u! 😀


:disgust::|

Ford: Quality is Job 1.

Precisely why I will never own a Ford vehicle.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: N8Magic

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
Swwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeettttttttt!!!

Ford doesn't want to help at all! Thx ford I lub u! 😀


:disgust::|

Ford: Quality is Job 1.

Precisely why I will never own a Ford vehicle.

And Built Ford Tough, don't forget that one too 🙂

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Yes it is true that the 3.8 1995 Windstar was notorious for headgasgets. Ford extended the warranty for that year Windstar headgasgets to 7 years or 100,000 miles as a result. The front cover gasgets also were a problem.. you may be able to get Ford to help out with that cost as well if you call Ford directly.

Dont be surprized if the O2 sensors are also contaminated and may require replacement.

Personally, since it is a rather low mileage car, I would have the headgasgets repaired by Ford, have the spark plugs replaced... and TRADE IT IN ON A LATER MODEL.. 🙂

Yep. Exactly.

The front covers were a problem, and are not any fun to replace. Price seems about right. 72 bucks for plugs? They are 100k plugs, and are probably coolant fouled anyway. They are about 12 bucks each, so there you go.

I'd call 1-800-392-3673, have your VIN number handy, and talk to them until you get someone to help on that timing cover.
Finally, the 3.8 isn't a bad engine. Just that one year sucked. All years don't have that problem.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Yes it is true that the 3.8 1995 Windstar was notorious for headgasgets. Ford extended the warranty for that year Windstar headgasgets to 7 years or 100,000 miles as a result. The front cover gasgets also were a problem.. you may be able to get Ford to help out with that cost as well if you call Ford directly.

Dont be surprized if the O2 sensors are also contaminated and may require replacement.

Personally, since it is a rather low mileage car, I would have the headgasgets repaired by Ford, have the spark plugs replaced... and TRADE IT IN ON A LATER MODEL.. 🙂

Yep. Exactly.

The front covers were a problem, and are not any fun to replace. Price seems about right. 72 bucks for plugs? They are 100k plugs, and are probably coolant fouled anyway. They are about 12 bucks each, so there you go.

I'd call 1-800-392-3673, have your VIN number handy, and talk to them until you get someone to help on that timing cover.
Finally, the 3.8 isn't a bad engine. Just that one year sucked. All years don't have that problem.

I did call them. The woman who answered was nice and all, but otherwise unhelpful (she said she'd forward the complaint/information to their engineering dept. etc, which could help in the event of a recall). I told her I knew that wouldn't be happening on a model of that age...

I also emailed several ford email addresses, one supposedly the CEO...nothing yet...

 

[Pacfanweb]

BTW, lots of timing covers DO have coolant orifices. Most "V" engines have the water pump mounted on front of the timing cover, and it pumps the coolant through the cover to the block.