1998 Ford Windstar: engine overheating

Filed Dec 14, 2005 · Engine · IL

Service engine light was on and van was running rough. Diagnostics indicated that the intake maniford runner control vacuum motor was stuck. Van would overheat if not replaced.

Filed Nov 3, 2005 · Engine · 97,276 miles · TX

Vehicle loss coolant gradually over the last couple of years. I never saw any leaks under the vehicle. On several occasions the car was abruptly pulled off the road because we thought it had caught on fire, but we could not determine the cause of the burning smell, we also had brought it to a mechanic on several occasions to evaluate but he could not determine the culprit. The vehicle overheated on oct19th and sprayed coolant and steam which was the first time there was a physical indication that there truly was a problem. The vehicle is presently in the shop at my expense to repair the head gasket, intake manifold and timing chain cover gasket.

Filed Sep 7, 2005 · Acceleration · 115,000 miles · NJ · fire

On 4/12/02 59,173 miles. Windstar had ABS & brake light on. Disc brakes replaced and rotors machined. 2/26/04 82,240 miles all ABS sensors,disc brakes,brake fluid reservoir/float assembly replaced,rotors machined. 95,487 miles brake light on. 3/05 cruise control on and off. Abs light flicker on & off. Dealer said not worth money to fix. 9/04/05 fire under battery tray. Van off 2 to 3 minutes. Dealer said cruise control module ignited fire. Brake fluid leaked into it. The ABS pump overheated wire caused leak. Our van is now at chapman ford awaiting our approval to repair problems at a cost of $2200.00. We are now without a vehicle and don't want to approve repairs without talking to someone from your office. Please respond and let us know what our next step should be. We are a one income family so getting a new vehicle is not an option. Your prompt attention would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Filed Jun 17, 2005 · Engine · 101,721 miles · NJ

1998 ford windstar 3.8l engine, head bolts stretched causing coolant leak into engine, head gasket was not blown so wynn's service contract will not pay for $1800 repair. This is the second major expense, I had to replace the transmission at 80,000 miles.

Filed Jan 1, 2004 · Engine · 50,200 miles · NV

Check engine soon light came on. I took it to the ford dealer where I purchased my 1998 ford windstar. I told the service advisor I had a coolant leak. When the mechanic did the diagnostic test he said the leak was at the valve covers and intake. The gaskets had to be replaced at a price of over $900. It appears to be a major problem of the 1998 ford windstar which is not covered under the defect warranty. My windstar had just over 50,000 miles on when this defect happened.

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Engine · 55,000 miles · CA

The consumer had to refill the vehicle with coolant fluid often due to engine overheating.

Filed Jun 11, 2002 · Engine · AL

Head gasket failure, coolant leaked into cylindar, bent connecting rod.

Filed May 9, 2002 · Engine · IN

Vehicle was losing anti freeze , and engine would keep getting close to overheating. Contacted dealer, and dealer replaced head gasket.

Filed Oct 14, 2001 · Electrical · PR · fire

On the evening of october 12th 2001, while driving with my wife and children in our 98 gl windstar to see a cousin of mine. We approached a semicircle curve on a hill, as I turned my wheel to the right entering on to the curve, when all of a sudden smoke started to come from the bottom of my vehicle. My first thought was that the car was overheating but then fire was starting to come out as well. I yelled to everyone on board to exit the vehicle and stay some distance away. As the flames were getting worse. I had to pop open the hood and see if I could control the fire. I saw the flame shoot out of the bottom and the sides of the car. I immediately turned off the car and then disconnected the positive battery cable on the advice of a stranger that was there. Another person came with a bucket of water and we managed to douse the fire out. My cousin arrived later towards where we were as my wife had notified him by cellular of our situation. We took the vehicle to his home and in the morning he took a look at the car to see what had caused it to flame. He noticed that power steering fluid was visible and that the power steering pressure hose had rubbed with time on the rack and pinion or something metallic of the car slowly forming a groove on the hose about an inch and a half wide and about 1/4 inch deep. This created a hole in the groove where it was rubbing when I made my turn on the hill, thus pouring out power steering fluid on to the catalic converter which then started to smoke and fire. Importantly the protective fire cover placed on this pressure hose had worn out as well. I have only 63,256 miles on the car. I thank god that we are all safe and thank god for those who assisted us and also thank god that this did not happen to my wife and children while I was not there. I can't imagine being out alone and having this happen to someone else then having a great catastrophe with some deaths. I have kept the power steering hose as evidence of my situation.

Filed Oct 29, 1999 · Electrical · LA · fire

Was driving approximately 60mph with rear defroster on. Vehicle overheated & blew a hole through rear window, causing a fire which melted the plastic interior of vehicle. Owner thought maybe it was an electrical short. Vehicle at dealership now for repairs.