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1997 Ford Windstar - Head Gasket

Ford 3.8l V-6 Unanswered Questions •Ford Extends Warranty •Ford Extends II •1995 Windstar •1996 Windstar •1997 Windstar •1998 Windstar •Taurus/Sable •Mustang •Transmission Problems •Lightning Strikes Twice •Refund Problems

First the '95 Windstars had early head gasket failures, then the '96s and now, the '97s are being heard from, as in this report from Susan of Glen Allen, VA:

I own a 1997 Ford Windstar. My mechanic told me that my head gaskets need to be replaced prematurely and that I should go to the local Ford dealer because he understood that they were experiencing problems with 3.8L engines and this particular problem, that it would probably be covered by the dealer.

I took my vehicle to the local Ford Dealer for repairs, but they said the problem was with 1995 Windstars and that it was not covered. I spent $807.82 in parts and labor to repair this problem. Since then, I have spoken with several people who have experienced this problem or know someone who has. I cannot understand why if this is a know problem in 1994 and 1995 models why if it is still occuring in 1997 models it would not also be covered.

I feel as though I have spent close to $1000 and valuable time repairing a problem that Ford has admitted to knowing about and doesn't seem to be taking the corrective action needed to assure this doesn't happen.

Tim of Howell MI (7/7/01):
I was just to a repair facility for a tune up on my 1997 Windstar (3.8 motor) and was informed that my #6 spark plug has evidence of a small head gasket leak problem.

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