Concerned About My Windstar?

Question

I bought my '96 for $600.00 about 4 months ago. I thought it was a good deal at the time, but while driving it home it overheated on the highway and the bearings in the bottom end got cooked(of course I had listened to it for aprox. 20 min. and it ran perfect, I attempted to do a roadside repair only to find the thermostat was seized shut).To make a long story short the damn thing cost me an additional $1100.00 in engine repairs to get road worthy again (just glad the rest was in decent shape and I didn't have to put any cash into breaks, exhaust, ect.).The original engine had metal shvings in the bottom of the oil pan, and the first engine I went to install(with less than 140,00 km's)was the same, so the place I purchased the replacement engine sent me another. Everything seems to be O.K. But does anyone think I may have a justifiable concern about the durability of the Ford 3.8's? (I realize that the early versions were prone to head gasket failure until a design change 1996)

Answer 1

The stuck thermostat created your problem with the motor. Not visa versa

Answer 2

The 3.8 is a good engine, until it is over-heated one time. The best preventative maintenance to do is:: replace the temperature sensor every one or two years, make sure that your radiator and heater cores have good flow, and remove all debris from radiator front, and in between radiator and air conditioner condenser. Go to do-it-yourself car wash and spray out all junk found therein. Also, don't use the "green" coolant. As a preventative measure, use Mercedes Benz coolant. It's more expensive, but protects better. I've seen 25 year old Mercedes with no radiator clogging or hose seepage. There is a good reason for this, as premium coolants are phosphate-free and are gentler on head gaskets, sensors and water pumps. It's unusual for the bottom end of the 3.8 to go bad.. Previous owner may have used cheap oil and not hcanged on time..Best thing is to de-sludge it and use Mobil One synthetic. Engine can last a long time!!!

Answer 3

Well, you did make a good point. Design changes happen daily in automotive manufacturing but with your question here I'm not so sure if I would blame it on the design since if it was a flaw large enough there would have been a recall on the vehicle and 9 out of 10 people would have had it repaired since it wouldn't have cost them a dime. I would wonder if the maintence life of the vehicle is the cause. At least this is what I would say- You bought it for $600 which you really can't find anymore. My advice- you got what you paid for- sorry but sometimes that's the way it is but atleast look at it this way. you can tell the next person you can stand behind the engine.