Time to part it out

I have a 1998 Windstar with 179,000 miles. Coming back from a trip the transmission went out. I stopped at a light and when the light turned green I hit the gas and the tranmission slipped a little. At the next light it slipped again so I pulled over and there was fluid coming out from the bellhousing. I Had it towed to a trans shop and he said he would look at it and tell me what it is going to cost to get it fixed. This was a rebuild Ford transmission it was put in when the van had 100,000 miles on it. The rest of the van is in very good shape the engine runs great (3.8) the A/C works great (both from and rear) I had a fuel pump put in a few thousands miles ago. The window motor on the passenges side was replaced. The body is in great shape with no rust, no dents. It's red with grey interior all seats in great shape. I just don't need it anymore because the kids are older and we don't need a mini van anymore.

I have a 1998 Windstar with 179,000 miles. Coming back from a trip the transmission went out. I stopped at a light and when the light turned green I hit the gas and the tranmission slipped a little. At the next light it slipped again so I pulled over and there was fluid coming out from the bellhousing. I Had it towed to a trans shop and he said he would look at it and tell me what it is going to cost to get it fixed. This was a rebuild Ford transmission it was put in when the van had 100,000 miles on it. The rest of the van is in very good shape the engine runs great (3.8) the A/C works great (both from and rear) I had a fuel pump put in a few thousands miles ago. The window motor on the passenges side was replaced. The body is in great shape with no rust, no dents. It's red with grey interior all seats in great shape. I just don't need it anymore because the kids are older and we don't need a mini van anymore.

3k for 79k miles is still cheaper then say a 400 dollar car payment a month

The original poster is reluctant to replace the transaxle on a 180k 10 y/o van he doesn't really need and asks if it might not be time to part it out, maybe get a few hundred out of it, rest to the boneyard.

Jeez the van may be worth three grand if it ran. If someone had a wrecked Windstar with a good t/a it might make some sense to do a swap out but still a lot of work. You really need a minivan and have to expect the repaired vehicle to last a good long time for anything to make much sense at this point.

The tranny dropping out seems to be the fatal heart attack for Windstars. not a lot to do about it but replace the transaxle every 80-100k and that sucks.

The original poster is reluctant to replace the transaxle on a 180k 10 y/o van he doesn't really need and asks if it might not be time to part it out, maybe get a few hundred out of it, rest to the boneyard.

Jeez the van may be worth three grand if it ran. If someone had a wrecked Windstar with a good t/a it might make some sense to do a swap out but still a lot of work. You really need a minivan and have to expect the repaired vehicle to last a good long time for anything to make much sense at this point.

The tranny dropping out seems to be the fatal heart attack for Windstars. not a lot to do about it but replace the transaxle every 80-100k and that sucks.

In my area, this windstars sell from 5 to 11grand.. I saw a 2000 with 90k selling for 10,999.00..

I would consider the original poster's 10 y/o 180k van (if running nicely) to be a $2800-$3800 vehicle. In my area a Windstar of this age, mileage and pedigree are considered to be a use up and discard vehicle. Once they suffer a major mechanical break-down, that's it.

If this was me I would have to think long and hard before I spent what was essentially the value of the vehicle itself repairing a van that I don't really need or want, just to sell it for little more than what it cost for the repairs.

I got the call from the transmission guy today. He said he could fix it for 650.00 he said the torque converter was the problem. I went a bought a 2004 F150 so I really would just like to get rid of this van. It's been a good van I bought in in 1998 with 16,000 miles on it and have taken care if it. If anyone in the Southwest Misssouri want a good van I would let it go for 1000.00.
Brett

Well....It IS worth more in running condition........so you should be able to recover that $650 on a trade in or private sale.

Whatever vehicle you buy.....I would monitor the forum room for that vehicle......so that you can stay on top of whatever weak points that it may have.....and maybe catch pointers on how to prevent them.

I went through the tranny replacement on my '96 back in 2001ish....
It was $2800ish.....for a FORD remanufactured installed.
I spent a LOT of time searching forums....and reading up......and saw a lot of posts where I could get a aftermarket rebuilt for about 1/2 that price......but the number of posts of people who went that route.....and who were again sitting with a defective transmission.....just outside of the warranty period was pretty big....and they were NOT happy campers.

It really hurt the finances at the time......and I did some MORE reading......went to doing fluid changes yearly with a synthetic ATF.....and installed a auxillary cooler.
I am now at that critical point.........just short of 100K miles on the remanufactured unit......still shifting just great.......so we will see if it outlasts the pack.
My philosophy has been.....synthetic fluid.....changed yearly (20-25K miles) auxillary cooler (making sure that the radiator fans are working correctly).
I have not babied the unit......

Either way......van still gets over 23mpg on the highway.....and has been paid for for a long time.....
So....I have gotten my use out of it......more so than any other vehicle that I have owned........and I will continue to run it as long as it runs for me economically.

In my area, this windstars sell from 5 to 11grand.. I saw a 2000 with 90k selling for 10,999.00..
I've got to say I am astonished at the high price that some Windstars are getting. If you look at eBay motors, the Kelly Blue Book range for a '98 Windstar is $3940 to $6275 (although the range for that year recently sold on eBay is $380 to $8000). Try this link (it might not work): http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Trucks___W0QQMake247a0eZFord2180dbQQModel4710b09ZW indstarc160d67aQQModelYearf0c65f14Z1998172347

I've got to say I am astonished at the high price that some Windstars are getting. If you look at eBay motors, the Kelly Blue Book range for a '98 Windstar is $3940 to $6275 (although the range for that year recently sold on eBay is $380 to $8000). Try this link (it might not work): http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Trucks___W0QQMake247a0eZFord2180dbQQModel4710b09ZW indstarc160d67aQQModelYearf0c65f14Z1998172347

Its crazy what they are worth!! I guess to buy a new one 30k and up. So theres room for the price tags.

I just put our 98 WS for sale it has only 38K on it and is clean and garaged kept. I like it very much but after all these years wife was uneasy driving it as she felt a 7 passenger is to big. New brakes all wheels, new fuel pump last year and new tires (only 5K on them). Serviced every 3K L.O.F I am asking $7500 and have at least three interested BUT what I want and can sell for are two different things. Anyone think I may be able to get 7500 or maybe 7300? - Ray