I've got a 1996 Ford Windstar with a recon engine only a year old. The car idles perfectly, even drives perfectly, but white smoke comes from the engine beneath the hood (which smells funny, almost like burnt plastic, but not quite). When starting the car two days ago and idling it in place waiting for the engine to warm up, not quite watery green liquid started leaking onto the road from below the engine. But the engine still ran fine, no sputtering, nothing. The coolant tank was bone dry. The engine light never came on, the oil light never came on - the only light that ever came on - intermittently - was the battery light. Does this sound like a blown head gasket or a damaged intake? What do I look for should I get beneath the car? Is it possible that there is just a plug or something that's fallen out resulting in a coolant leak? Busted pipes? If anyone can help it will be great!
2007-01-01 13:35:25 · 5 answers · asked by intensine 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Head gasket leak? NO!! That only applies to 1995 model year engines. 1996 to 1998 model year engines were prone to failing upper and lower intake gaskets, as well timing cover gaskets. The intake gaskets were more common, however. The gasket kit from Ford (part number F68Z-9433-C) which includes EVERYTHING needed costs about $80.00 These are updated THICKER gaskets which will reduce the likelihood of further failure. Expect to pay about 6 hours in labour plus oil change and coolant, both of which are required for the repair. Do you still have warranty on the reconditioned engine? If so, I would have the place that installed it, to do the repair. Hope this helps.
2007-01-01 13:44:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually the head-gasket problem was with the 3.8L motor starting in 1995, but this has the feels of a hose or water pump lead or a cracked reservoir leak or the seals are giving out on the sides of the radiator. with the motor slightly warm feel and use a flashlight on the side of the motor that the antifreeze is coming from going from top down following the hoses
2007-01-02 00:09:51 · answer #2 · answered by ben e 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably just have a simple hose leak or even just a hose clamp that has become loose and is now dripping. Have the cooling system topped off and pressure tested to pinpoint the exact area of the leak. Anytime you have a coolant leak, you should repair it ASAP. Coolant keeps that new motor cool enough to operate. If it overheats , then you will have a problem with head gaskets and such, but i believe you have caught the problem before it has gotten any worse.
good luck.........
2007-01-01 21:41:45 · answer #3 · answered by mailbox1024 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sound slike a leak...meaning a bad water pump..they are known for it...run it for 20 min utes..or so, untill the fans comes on..1st enusre you have enough fluid in it...when u hear the fan come on, you should see where the leak is coming from under it...good luck, le tme know if its not it...!!!!
2007-01-01 21:40:34 · answer #4 · answered by speeding04 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go To ASK.com
2007-01-01 21:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by jim c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋