1995 Ford Windstar: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Mar 18, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · VA

Defective 1995 ford windstar with recurrent mechanical malfunction. *bf the transmission was replaced soon after the vehicle was purchased. The consumer experienced an engine knock for the 3rd time which was due to a mechanical malfunction.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Engine · 84,918 miles · MA

1995 ford windstar-engine overheated due to defective head gasket failure. Cylinder heads resurfaced, new head gaskets, replaced damaged connecting rod bearings and o2 sensors. Total cost $2454.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 78,000 miles · NH

On march 29, 2002, my 1995 ford windstar experienced a knocking sound. Noticing the oil light was on, I immediately pulled into the shopping center nearby. I was amazed when I had to add 3/12 qts. Of oil, which immediately drained out. This vehicle just recently had an oil change, so I know it was not low on oil. The vehicle was towed to autofair of manchester, nh. On april 2nd, I was advised by the service advisor, k. Hamel that the timing cover gasket was the problem and I needed to replace the engine at a cost of $3,639. I also spoke to k. Hamels' boss, and was told no warranty was available. I then called the boston area customer service representative, justin boyson. He proceeded to ask me how I got his name...not, how can I help you? He advised me there was nothing that can be done...there is no program available for my auto. This is an outrage, since ford is well aware of this faulty timing cover gasket which is a known ford defect which was admitted to by the regional reprsentative, and it should be included in the extended 100,000 warranty.

Filed Sep 10, 2003 · Engine · KY

While driving at 55mph engine started knocking . Vehicle was forced to pull out of the road. Independent shop diagnosed the problem as a engine head gasket failure.

Filed Nov 13, 2002 · Engine · WA

9/12/02 head gasket failed on 1995 windstar 3.8l engine. Vehicle taken to north larsen ford in emporia, ks for repair. Left head gasket replaced and test drove on 9/16/02. Technician found oil leaking at left head gasket and subsequently removed head and replaced gasket a second time. Vehicle was ready and released to my spouse 4:00 pm, 9/19/02 with understanding that it was serviced and ready. Ford decliined to cover failure under extended warranty for head gasket failures due to vehicle original purchased in 1994 and warranty limited to 7 years or 100,000 miles. Repair costs were billed to me at $1491.73 and paid on release. Spouse left emporia, ks with vehicle at 6:00 pm 9/19/02 and drove to 550 miles to denver, co. Seven miles north of golden, co on I-70, vehicle overheated without warning and engine started to clatter. Hiway patrol stopped to assist and when engine oil was checked no oil level was registered on dip stick, metal fragments were present and crankcase was smoking. Hiway patrol took spouse to buy oil at which time 4 quarts were added to obtain proper fill level. Vehicle then driven to stevinson's ford in golden, co. Stevinson's ford service dept. Inspected vehicle and found rod bearing failure. Service dept. Estimated $2,500-3,500 for repair. My family (spouse and 5 children) were enroute to our new residence in richland, wa and stranded without transportation. Service manager determined failure was due to loss of oil and identified probable cause as improper fill or leakage following service/repair. Circumstances forced purchase of new vehicle with 1995 windstar as trade-in. Dealer allowed $4,000 for trade. Purchase price for 1995 windstar was $7,500 on 3/1/02 resulting in a loss of $3,500 as a result of engine failure. $3,500 plus $1491.73 for initial repairs left me with a net loss of $4,991.73 due to head gasket failure and improper service . Ford dealership has declined to warrant repair or compensate me for loss. Dt

Filed Jul 29, 2002 · Engine · OR

Engine head gasket replaced at 47,000 miles, engine timing cover gasket replaced at 92,000, engine failed (rod bearings, crankshaft, and rod) shortly thereafter shutting down braking and steering systems in vehicle. Have been told this was due to coolant leaking into engine oil system from previously mentioned problems and is being experienced by many owners due to poor engine design. Engine failure had the potential to cause accident had the driving situation been different when it occurred.

Filed Apr 12, 2002 · Engine · NY

There is a knocking noise coming from underneath of vehicle. Vehicle stalled without prior warning. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed Jan 14, 2002 · Brakes, Engine · MN

11-20-98(boise) (98m01)(45,636mi.) head gasket inspection-sent heads to be surfaced & checked reinstalled with new bolts 6-28-99 (57,495mi.)engine loses power, makes loud knock noise, blowing smoke while on interstate 5 hours from home, drive slowly to next exit and find ford dealer-davis-tremonton ut find #1 cylinder rod bearing worn out, needs crank kit, gaskets, etc.7-27-99 picked up vehicle drove 20 mi. On interstate -again ,engine loses power has loud knock and quits 9-21-00 brought van in(boise)(80,867mi.) for a hard shake at 45-50 MPH along with ABS lights and check engine light on head gaskets need to be replaced and 1 head cracked 12-28-01 alexandria mn van quits whenever slows down, heat working sporadically make an appt. For service and that day engine overheats get it in and head gaskets have failed again @110,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2001 · Suspension · CO

Consumer was traveling 50mph on highway, and heard a knocking noise coming from the right front of the vehicle, consumer stated the vehicle will make a loud noise if turning right, and if turning left the noise is not that loud. *ak

Filed Sep 10, 2001 · Suspension · MA

Front right wheel bearings were causing a "ticking" noise during operation of vehicle. Dealership replaced wheel bearings three times, and has not been able to remedy problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

Filed Sep 3, 2001 · Engine · VA

On august 30,2001 while me and my family was travelling back from ga to va our 95 ford windstar gl engine blew. We were driving along i20 when the van started making strange noises and the engine started knocking and white smoke started coming out of the front of the hood. I pulled the van over and a truck driver came along and politely stopped to escort us off the highway to a safe place. Underneath the hood, the enigine was extremely hot.... And oil was all up under the van........he stayed until a highway patrol sheriff came to help.the patrol officer assisted us with finding a ford dealer in columbia sc, where we towed our van to . As I am writing it is stilled there... We had to make emergency travel arrangements which included a hotel, food, rental van to return to van, taxicab cost(before we got the rental van).. Something needs to be done. There are alot of ford windstar owners having the same problemswith the engine, transmission, electrical power door, etc.... Please inform when a recall has been done. I look forward to a prompt reply in this matter. Thank you........ Ford had just changed the transmission and check the engine with a diagnostic test on 03-09-2001 or did they??????? And coastal automotive had just changed our oil on 08/17/2001?????????

Filed Aug 31, 2001 · Engine · NY

Number 6 cylinder rod bearing failed resulting in need to replace the crankshaft rod bearings and number 6 cylinder rod. According to the ford mechanic this was probably due to an anti-freeze leak (most probably from the head gasket). This occurred 17 months after warranty head gasket replacement by ford. Contacted ford and they said the warranty recall no longer applied because of the milage and age of the vehicle. I advised that I already had the head gasket replaced under warranty to avoid this very problem. They contacted orange motors in albany ny who replaced the original head gasket to see if they would warranty their work. They would not. This occurred 1,000 miles away from home in tomah wisconsin at norris-vernier motor sales (a ford dealer). Due to the excessive cost of the repair ($2,500) and the significant time required to repair, we left the vehicle, rented a car and drove home. We have since donated it to the american cancer society. It's my expectation that a vehicle should be able to go more than 89,000 miles and last more than 6 years without this type of major engine failure, especially since I had all recall warranty work performed, had regular oil changes and spent significant amounts of money on non-warranty work to keep it running. I just couldn't see putting another cent into this piece of garbage. I am especially disappointed that ford won't stand behind this obviously defectively designed, ill conceived product.