1996 Ford Windstar: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Jul 3, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 58,958 miles · GA

This is a second call for help ford corporate will not email me back. Will not verify if PCM has been updated. The van only has under 59,000 miles on it . It should not break this bad this soon makes me tell anyone on social media and our local news media and clark howards team. I do not want to call ford unless it is agreed the phone will be recorded for court purposes. I even asked is the would let me use the updater. I sure do not want don rich ford in villa rica ever again. They stripped the screw. That set min clearance on throttle plate. No shifts funny and sputters and terrible noise in oil pan area. Rod s knocking. Internet has tons of complaints of pistons exiting engine oil pan.

Filed Jun 29, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 58,586 miles · GA

Dear ford my mother and I have been trying to get answers from the dealer and since they gave up. Because they could not fix it right the first time. Even the second or third time. The van a 1996 windstar with 59,000 miles on it and it started the engine started stalling, when making slow turns not touching the gas pedal loses power steering. My mom almost went into a ditch to avoid a collision with another car. With little internet searching found hundreds of vans with same problems, and appears there is not one resolved. And since this has gone on for over a month. The last visit to the ford dealer in an attempt to fix the stalling. . The idle air control valve is new, and mass air flow is clean supposed to have been replaced also. I checked the air filter was clean, the fuel filter is original so I replaced it. I started looking at the throttle body, and noticed that the throttle plate screw was all gouged up. While I was sitting in drive way with engine running and unless ford engines are only good for 60,000 miles, with all the stalling and low engine idle that keeps oil pressure in the engine lubricating the crank shaft.!! So when engine stalled at very low idle there was no oil getting through the engine. This engine now has lower end knock, which I verified by pulling van onto floor ramps, test drove and confirmed the problem, is critical. Each time I slowed down to turn engine stalled every time, lost power steering and brakes. I could have been killed because ford is ignoring this problem.. And this also answers why other complaints were about engine failures and very expensive repairs. This letter will be put on all social networks, to warn others this could happen to them be aware. They said the ecu/PCM computer was updated. Could not find update on invoices, or in history I can access.

Filed Jul 18, 2007 · Engine · 94,000 miles · MI

For approximately 2 months I noticed loss of compression during acceleration and occasional knocking sound from back of engine. Without tearing engine apart it seemed that the head gasket failed and allowed fluids into the engine. Confirmed rod bearing failed at 94,000 miles. Car was not drivable now.

Filed Sep 22, 2003 · Acceleration · MI

Speedometer is no longer showing the actual speed driven, needle jumps around, if driving 75mph it shows 120mph. This happens on a daily basis, there is also a ticking noise. Vehicle has not been examined by a dealer.

Filed Apr 8, 2003 · Engine · 84,452 miles · SD

I purchased a 1996 ford windstar in september of 1998. It had 15,000 miles on it. It has the 3.8l v6 engine. The van currently has 84,452 miles on the odometer. On march 28, 2003 the check engine light appeared. I took the vehicle to my local ford dealer to be fixed. They advised that the engine had a miss-fire on cylinder number 1. They checked the spark plug, spark plug wire and coil. They did not determine why the engine misfired and concluded that it must have been a fluke. I paid for the work completed. I drove approximately one half mile and the check engine light again appeared. On march 28th, I was informed by the shop forman that the fuel injector on number 1 cylinder was not working. A fuel injector was ordered and installed. On monday, march 31, 2003 I paid a bill for $136.31 for the repair of the fuel injector. As I drove the windstar to my home the check engine light appeared. The shop forman advised me that the fuel injector was not the problem and that an alternate engine computer was tried. On wednesday, april 2, 2003 I was advised that an engine knock had developed. It was caused by antifreeze leaking through a head gasket into cylinder number 1. The water in the cylinder caused the piston rod to bend ruining the engine. A replacement engine will cost $3400. I asked the shop forman if an engine compression check had been done during the engine diagnosis. He advise that no compression check was done since a pressure check of the engine had been done by this shop a few months previous because the coolant level was low. I have found many testimonials and complaints regarding the 1996 3.8l v6 engine. I believe that ford should pay for the new engine.

Filed Jan 3, 2003 · Transmission · ME

Consumer states that speedometer does not function properly. The needle moves erratically and makes a ticking noise. Consumer is unable to ascertain correct speed while driving. Dealer has unsuccessfully attempted to repair 2 times by replacing speedometer cable. Ts

Filed Aug 15, 2001 · Engine · MI

Timing cover seal was leaking, upon having this problem fixed, the engine began making a knocking noise, engine was replaced.

Filed Apr 9, 2001 · Engine · FL

Took vehicle to dealer 6 times since october 2000 for engine knocking/ shaking/ engine light on, and engine missing. Dealer could not remedy. Then on 31 mar ch, 2001 vehicle was started. Driven about 10 yards when consumer heard a big bang, engine stalled. Towed to dealer who found coolant was coming out of exhaust. Engine needed to be replaced.

Filed Mar 29, 2001 · Electrical, Fuel system · GA

Engine check came on took to an independent service shop to have diagnostics run. Was told it needed a tune up, new spark plugs and cables, fuel filter, air filter, fuel injectors cleaned and I also had oil changed since it was time for it. Picked up vehicle paid 444.00 for the service next morning drove to work, oil light came on. I have never had the oil light flickered on. Checked oil, in my parking space was dark so all I could see is there was fluid at the correct level. Started it up that evening to go home drove aproximately 40 miles, stopped at a red light and the oil light came on the the engine began making a knocking noise. I pulled off the road had to towed back to the shop that did the work. Was told they could find nothing wrong with it, oil light did not come on. I refused to accept the answer knowing thenoise the engine was making to cause me to have it towed in. They test drove for and let run for approximately 30 min. Before the oil light did come on. They then told me it was an engine problem and did not do engine work. Had it towed immediately to a ford dealer and was told the oild pan was full of coolant and bearings were "washed" in engine and would have to have a new engine. No one wants to claim responsibility for this problem. I have just been made aware that there has been an on going problem with this particular model motor (and not by the dealership). What can be done next?

Filed Dec 18, 2000 · Engine · VT

Engine head gasket failed. Intermittent engine warning light since new. Self reset before chance to get it to dealer. At approx 80k miles solid engine warning light. Dealer replaces oxygen sensor. Still got intermittent engine warning light. Latest incident solid engine warning light & blue smoke from tail pipe. Dealer indicates blown head gasket and worn connecting rod bearings as a cause & result of incorrectly designed head gasket. Indicates it is a known problem and should have been recalled with 1995 model year.

Filed Oct 26, 2000 · Acceleration, Body · NY

While driving 65 MPH with cruise control on vehicle sped up. While getting ready to exit off the highway vehicle stayed under cruise control module. As consumer attempted to slow down, vehicle was moving 65 MPH without any control from consumer. In order to make vehicle stop consumer had to press brake pedal with both feet, and shift vehicle into neutral. Eventually, vehicle was able to slow down, and consumer turned vehicle off, dealer replaced 2 lock tabs because one had slipped on the cruise causing it to stay on. Trip speedometer was replaced, it would not go past 799 miles. At 30 MPH and over, the over drive light will flash. Left front wheel cover was replaced due to it making ticking noises at lower speeds. Sliding door squeaked, dealer lubed the sliding door. Front rotors replaced and rear drums turned, a clicking noise was heard. *ak