98 windstar transmission

Hello everyone, I've recently inherited a trans: Problem. My newly aquired 98 windstar needs a transmission. With some help I'll be changing the trans: myself. My two questions are:

1. does anyone know of any complications that may arise from switching trans, what if any compatability issues should I be worried about?

2. does anyone have a 98 windstar transmission for sale, and can anyone offer any advice?

[email protected]

Thanks.

yes My advice allthough not vary helpful to you is remeber how you changed your frist tran so you can do it agian on tran 2,3,4,5 sorry i am a bit bitter on ford winstar trans i am on my 4 one i hope you have better luck. I am also on my 2nd engine,two head jobs and now they tell me it needs a new exhust for $2500. thats $950 for each cat theres two so, all i have to say is GOOD LUCK or send it do the road. thanks for listing

I had my tranny replaced at about 100K miles....was $2700 at the dealer.
I then installed a cooler, and went to synthetic fluid. It has been doing fine ever since.
I still have the original engine....and head gaskets....at 147K miles.
I keep way up on my maintanence......and I have some stop leak in the coolant to try to address the issue of coolant seaping into the head gasket at cylinders #1 and #4....which ultimately results in failure of the headgasket.
I have read a few places that GM puts stop leak in some of their cars at the factory......

Last weekend, I replaced the catalytic converter assembly. List price for the unit (which includes both converters, and the pipes to the manifolds, and to the flex unit in front of the muffler) is $1600.
I located a few dealers on www.parts.com that would sell it for just over $1200, plus shipping.
I ordered a Walker, direct fit replacement from www.rockauto.com for $321. The replacement only has heat shields on the top of the catalytic converters. The front cat's heat shield is against the bottom of the oil pan, but there is not movement at this point....so is OK. There is a tab on the front converter that bolts to the transaxle.....needs to be cut a little bit to clear the tranny pan.

For your transmission, if you plan to hang on to the car for a while....I would recommend a quality replacement....due to the fact that it is a weak point. Would hate to see you buy a used one cheap....and have it fail in short order.....
Jasper is another source for trannys....and you can do a lookup on their site for an installer in your area....but they are pricey.

FORD has a TSB that states that the cooler (part of the radiator assembly) should be backflushed to flush out any crud that can end up there from a failing tranny. If the cooler is restricted.....then the new tranny will fail.

Just parked my 1998 windstar for good. Started at 60,000 new tranny. Recently at 110,000 new computer. The ford dealer told me if i put motorcraft plugs and wires it will be fine. That was before i replaced the computer. MY advice fix it then get rid of it. Problems just keep coming up with it

I just want to state that NOT everyone with 98 Windstars is unsatisfied. I drive one with 88Kmiles and I am very satisfied!!! I do however pay particular attention to fluid & filter changes, and that may explain why my vehicle runs so well.

Besides, what else would you buy? A Sienna? I can't figure out how they maintain a reputation for reliability in spite of all the sludged engines out there. Our best friends have a 2001 Sienna that is currently getting a new engine, and a co-worker's 99 got de-sludged with an engine flush. To Toyota's credit, there will be no charge for the engine replacement since they were able to show they changed oil at least every 5000 miles.

WISWIND - you mentioned:

and I have some stop leak in the coolant to try to address the issue of coolant seaping into the head gasket at cylinders #1 and #4....which ultimately results in failure of the headgasket.

I'm wondering...

My coolant looked like thick mud-hardly any in the reservoir. Had it easy flushed out and new coolant - looked at it 2 days later, coolant is low, and dirty - afraid to go look at it again.

Wondering if I have a gasket problem like you do and if so, what can be done. My trans. keeps slipping more and more frequently, like it's in nuetral and then it will jerk in to D again.

This is #2 tranny -used, put in Aug. '03- I don't want to have to put in #3 if there's something else I can do instead. Is there a way to test other aspects of the tranny before replacing parts that may no be effecting it?

THANKS

Coolant....drain some coolant from the radiator....into a clear glass jar....if it looks cruddy.....flush and fill again. You may just have had crud built up in the system.
Might be worth having a cooling system flush done for you.... Personally, I steer away from chemical flushes.....
A number of additives can make the overflow bottle look cruddy.....as they do that when they are cool.....and disolve again when warm....(the overflow bottle does not really get warm).

My stop-leak is a preventative maintenance item.....(I hope).
Our 3.8L engine is prone to the failure....and I am trying to prevent it.

Tranny, check out the "range sensor switch" aka "neutral" or "neutral / park switch".
It is mounted on TOP of the transmission.
This tells the computer what gear you have selected....and the electronics then take over.

Also, check the tranny fluid level.

If the OD light on the selector lever is flashing....that means that the computer has a fault code. You can have those read for a more complete diagnosis....also worth having done.

Whats up room,
thanks for all the info guys, since I posted my first message I still haven't changed the tranny. I've been contemplating wether to rebuild or replace. I can get it rebuilt in Brooklyn NY, for $750 with a twelve month waranty, or I can get a used tranny from my guy at the junk yard for around $450.
I'm leaning towards rebuilding because of the waranty. I've since added some transmission treatment which hasn't made any significant impact. One of you mentioned something about the overdrive light flashing. Mine starts flashing when the van has trouble shifting, does this mean a computer issue? What my van does exactly is: when I start off at a slow pace the gears might shift ok, but if I try to accellerate at normal pace the van races (revs out then changes) in first, second, and third, then once in fourth gear it's smooth sailing.
I must say its comforting though to hear "Sienna girl," say something nice about the windstar, it gives me hope! Please filter down any other helpful info you guys might have I have the money and I'm getting ready to do "something", thanks

Kev.

I ment "Sienna dood," not sienna girl. I confused you with another user, peace.

Kev