My engine light had been on for 2 weeks but car running ok but idle a little rough. Finally light started flashing, & when stopped at light, it stalled temporarily. Mechanic scanned & got EGR code of excessive flow and Misfire code. Initially thought it may just need tune-up, which was last done almost 2 years ago by my previous mechanic when it was misfiring. Cleared codes, ran engine and misfire in engine immediately. Pulled out my expensive platinum plugs, and found 2 or 3 plugs with some evidence of antifreeze deposits. Also found overflow tank completely empty, and this was also found to be empty at last tune-up. Rad down 2 litres. Mechanic filled rad and replaced platinum plugs with cheap ones for now just to see if it would stop the misfire. Did not have time yet to do vacuum test, but he'll do it to rule it out, but feels since such a small leak, probably beginning stages of blown head gasket, but admits it's all guess work. Have now been driving car with new plugs for one week and currently, rad & overflow are completely full. But car running rough on idle. On second day of new plugs, engine light came on and hesitating at idle. Third day, engine light now off-still rough. Fifth day, engine light back on. Now, seventh day, engine light back off-still rough. I actually didn't think the light would just go off on it's own. I thought the mechanic would have to clear the codes. I've had the light come on before a number of times and go off itself, but only when it was a low-fuel related reason for light to be on. If light going off itself, does it mean it's no longer misfiring? Maybe it is just a tune-up we need or am I just dreaming ! Should I get a second opinion from another mechanic, although this new mechanic does seem to be very helpful and thoroughly explains things well.

If there is any way you can avoid driving the van, please do so now. Have your mechanic (or do it yourself) perform a cooling system pressurization test.

You can get a kit at Autozone for around $70 and the radiator adaptor for the Windstar at another $35 or so. They will refund your money in full when you return the equipment after you are done.

It sounds like you have a blown Head gasket. You don't want to drive around with a blown gasket, especially if coolant is leaking into your cylinders. Coolant is highly corrosive to engine parts, causes overheating in the affected cylinders by interfering with the lubrication, and will damage engine components-- water does not compress well at all and any amount in a cylinder can cause bent piston rods, cracked heads, cracked block, bent crankshaft and broken pistons. Repair is extremely expensive and, depending on the extent of the damage, often engine replacement becomes more cost-effective.

If you identify a blown gasket now-- before significant damage is done-- you can reduce your repair costs and extend the life of your engine tremendously.

Now, with this information, do you trust that mechanic?