1995 3.8L Ford Windstar

Well, I'll just say that so far I love my van. I am an avid sports car driver and this is the first recreational vehicle of its type that I've ever owned. I don't know why the idea hadn't hit me a long time ago, but one day my girlfriend and I decided how cool it would be if we could find a really cheap van yet in decent aesthetic and working condition that we could run to the beach on the weekends and sleep in for a night or two to save on hotel fees. I got this van for $2250 and in KBB was rated somewhere around $4800 at the time. In any case I have found out that it only had 1 possibly 2 owners and its just in really great shape aside from a couple blemishes. It has 131,000 miles on it and seem to run smooth.
So here are the things I have noticed and have questions about. Any of your help is obviously appreciated in advance.

1. 131,000 mile maintenance. What should I seriously take into consideration to have fixed/looked at? I know to change the oils (tranny and engine), but what about power steering fluid? Tune-ups? How often on a vehicle of this year? I know to look into the wear of the brakes. I have already replaced the starter. I bought the van knowing this and the dealer bought one for me on his discount. I know of two recalls that FORD told me about for my VIN and I'm having those fixed at Ford's expense. Good tires too. What else? Timing belt/chain?

2. ABS light remains on all the time shortly after vehicle start up. I guess there are a few things to check, but what I want to know is what is the most likely cause for this. ABS fuses? fuse links? What could be failing that would cause the ABS light to light up? Isn't ABS just a computer related deal that doesn't allow the brakes to lock up? Without the computer ABS could not exist right?

3. Sometimes when I'm turning sharp at any speed I here a pop sound from the front underneath. Tierods? Caster? Camber? What all is "lube-able" on this model?

4. Headlights yucky faded - Any way to get the headlamp lenses to look new again without replacing them? They are that dull yellow. I've heard of some options that involve using a super fine sanding paper and buffer afterwards, but I haven't actually done it once to know fore sure. Anyone?

5. Anything else I should be aware of, please feel free to shout it.

Lata.

Normal maintenance would involve a tune up ( air, gas filters, pcv valve, plugs, cap and rotor if applicable, and wires ),check belts and hoses for cracks and or swelling ( hoses), checking and changing fluids (antifreeze, oil, transmission). Check the owners manual on when each individual item should be replaced. Some things like filters should be changed more often than, lets say, the spark plugs. I would be careful on changing the trans fluid with that kind of mileage. It could cause your trans to go, so you may want to just check the level. Your ABS light is probably a wheel speed sensor. Have it scanned so you know which one, and if you are capable, replace it and have the code cleared. As far as the knock on turns, it could be a bunch of things like you suggested. Last word of advice, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

I had and have this same problem. My issue was caused by the sleeves used in the front anti-sway bars where the bars enter the frame towards the front. The sleeves become under constant stress and seperate. There is no danger of losing steering control as the bar is fixed in place.

I have had the sleeves re-welded at a cost of about 1 hr labor, but the problem just returned after about 1 year (20 000 km).

A real fix is to replace (at much cost) the lower carriage assembly.

Good luck!

knucklebuster2 - I'm curious as to why you think changing the tranny oil would cause it to fail. I'm not debating you, but I've never heard of that. I thought changing the oil was a good thing in all cases. Are you talking about "the mechanic" foiling something up when he changes the oil while in the tranny?

StephaneB - Thanks for the info. I was originally looking for at least a 1999 model Windstar because thats the year they got better plus they changed the headlight lenses so they don't fade like the previous year ones do. I couldn't find ANY 99 models anywhere I believe particularly because they are the better ones and are kept longer. It just so happens that last night after I posted this I saw a 99 on sale at a lot for $4900. I paid $2250 for the one I have, but I believe I could easily sell it for $4000 because its worth even more than that in KBB. I'm now toying with the idea of the 99 I saw, but I'd have to see more of it, test drive it and look at the inside etc.. The whole bit. Though, while I say all this I have kind of gotten attached to the 95 that I bought already. I know these are not "women pick up" vehicles, but thats not why I bought it. I have my sports car for that. hehe

Anybody - Anyone else got any other advice? The van sits in the Ford dealership at this moment getting looked over.

Get the 99 by all means if it isnt trashed, good price for a van that new. The 95-96 3.8 liters had head gasket problems if yours has 131000 miles on it it must be a good one. It wouldn`t hurt to change the transmission fluid. Make sure the right kind of fluid is used, there is a big big difference. Its not the good old days where DextronII works for everything. I dont know what Fords Fluid is for their Transaxles. I do know a lot of Chrysler Caravan transaxles are ruined by old school mechanics who use any universel tranmission fluid. It may not be a big deal with Ford but with Chrysler its life and death

Well, I'll just say that so far I love my van. I am an avid sports car driver and this is the first recreational vehicle of its type that I've ever owned. I don't know why the idea hadn't hit me a long time ago, but one day my girlfriend and I decided how cool it would be if we could find a really cheap van yet in decent aesthetic and working condition that we could run to the beach on the weekends and sleep in for a night or two to save on hotel fees. I got this van for $2250 and in KBB was rated somewhere around $4800 at the time. In any case I have found out that it only had 1 possibly 2 owners and its just in really great shape aside from a couple blemishes. It has 131,000 miles on it and seem to run smooth.
So here are the things I have noticed and have questions about. Any of your help is obviously appreciated in advance.

1. 131,000 mile maintenance. What should I seriously take into consideration to have fixed/looked at? I know to change the oils (tranny and engine), but what about power steering fluid? Tune-ups? How often on a vehicle of this year? I know to look into the wear of the brakes. I have already replaced the starter. I bought the van knowing this and the dealer bought one for me on his discount. I know of two recalls that FORD told me about for my VIN and I'm having those fixed at Ford's expense. Good tires too. What else? Timing belt/chain?

2. ABS light remains on all the time shortly after vehicle start up. I guess there are a few things to check, but what I want to know is what is the most likely cause for this. ABS fuses? fuse links? What could be failing that would cause the ABS light to light up? Isn't ABS just a computer related deal that doesn't allow the brakes to lock up? Without the computer ABS could not exist right?

3. Sometimes when I'm turning sharp at any speed I here a pop sound from the front underneath. Tierods? Caster? Camber? What all is "lube-able" on this model?

4. Headlights yucky faded - Any way to get the headlamp lenses to look new again without replacing them? They are that dull yellow. I've heard of some options that involve using a super fine sanding paper and buffer afterwards, but I haven't actually done it once to know fore sure. Anyone?

5. Anything else I should be aware of, please feel free to shout it.

Lata.


hey im going to try you suggestion w/ the sandpaper and i will let you know the results.

Here, Here with the head gaskets on 3.8s. They go anywhere from 70,000 up and you have 130,000 I'd be skeered. I did a head gasket job on one a while back and when I was done and on the test drive noticed the tranny wasn't shifting properly. The next week it was back for the tranny! Use the red rubbing compound on the headlight lenses it works pretty good. Good luck