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Ford WindstarIntroduced in the mid-1990s, the front-wheel-drive Ford Windstar minivan campaigned with an emphasis on, and reputation for, safety. And in the hotly contested family minivan market of the time, that was an especially solid piece of ground to be on. As long as buyers didn't need to haul adults in back on a regular basis, the Windstar served a family's needs just fine.
I have over 280,000 km on my 98 WS (~175,000 miles).
Tranny replaced once, front wheel bearing replaced, passenger power window doesn't work, wiper motor randomly stops functioning (and then randomly starts - sometimes days later), random open door sensor signals (with door securely closed - will activate lights and kill battery at night or activate alarm at night), random other sensor signals that makes the vehicle beep and doors unlock when trying to close the vehicle (I don't use the side door, because when I do the random signals persist for about two weeks afterwards), the wheels vibrate (probably needs wheel bearings again), miscellaneous engine codes (longest turned out to be a simple vacuum leak), malfunctioning/sticking front brake piston/caliper (rapidly wears out pads on one side), A/C system blows very hot air into back section of van, alternator replaced, etc. etc..
On the good side, ~175,000 miles and it starts and goes (touch wood), has good acceleration, still gives ~19.5 miles/USG if driven reasonably, doesn't use oil (I use only Mobil 1 synthetic), parts are easily available, it will carry an 800 lb. payload of steel (do it every couple of months) and most of the problems are annoying rather than crippling.
BTW - I changed plugs at about 200,000 km (~125,000 miles) I think, and I doubt the rear plugs had been changed before that (my parents were the original owners). The rear plugs were literally burned stumps, worst I've ever seen. Huge gap. And although it's annoying, it's really not that big a deal to change them by yourself. It sure ran a lot better afterwards! (Use double platinum plugs in all six.)
Replaced rear shocks, thermostat, spark plugs, and wires about 2K miles ago. New control module wire last December. Had to buy a new fuel cap, the mechanism on the old one would not catch anymore. Original trans - need to add about a half a quart of AT fluid about twice a month. Motor doesn't use any oil - I use conventional with an additive that (supposedly) makes it better than synthetic. I wanted to go full synthetic but my uncle the car nut told me that synthetic oil is too thin for high-mileage motors. He recommends high-millage formulated oil. Had the catalytic converter cut off and replaced with a straight pipe when it plugged up over a year ago. New tires, front and rear brakes done about four years ago. Had the AC charged and replaced the battery about that time too. Alternator and left and rear tie rods replaced before that - too far back for me to remember.
Ran great until about a month ago. Still runs strong but I hear a fain knocking sound above 3K RPM. Every once in a while the temp gauge climbs about a notch or two but falls down shortly. Had the thermostat replaced same times as spark plug and wires (2K miles ago). Didn't fix it. The heater will get cold just before the car starts overheating. I'm thinking it's a sign of the head gasket going or the water pump. There's no coolant in the oil but I can smell it sometimes when I run the heat. I also have to top off the radiator every once in a while.
Before I bought the car at around 140K miles, it had the 3.8L motor rebuilt - new bearings and non-Ford heads among other things.
Currently it needs both driver and passenger side lower control arms. Rear wiper, cruise control, and the ABS are non-functional. Other than that it's great. I get around 20-21 MPG in the sumer, around 18-19 in the winter. Love my van! Here's hoping it'll run this long....
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95 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L with 234,000 miles
I have run synthetic oil in our Windstar since October of 2006. I use Mobil 1 15,000 extended preformance. It works well and I have not had any problems.
What does everyone else use to keeps these Ford's running
I have run synthetic oil in our Windstar since October of 2006. I use Mobil 1 15,000 extended preformance. It works well and I have not had any problems.
What does everyone else use to keeps these Ford's running
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