`01 Windstar 200,000 miles, Woo Hoo!!

[bruker]

Well, I've had my `01 Windstar for about five years now and I just turned 200,000 miles on it. Aside from a major transmission repair ($2,000) at 170,000 miles and a few odds and ends the van's been pretty much trouble free. I've done the regular maintenance things like oil & filter every 5,000 miles, air filter once a year, tires and brakes as needed and plugs at ~130,000 or so. It still has the original plug wires, rotors & drums, wheel bearings, ball joints, battery and shocks & struts. I'm averaging 25 mpg highway and it starts and runs like new.

[Mama's T-Bird]

I think most of us who visit this site would agree that you ought to call up Ford and see if they want to buy it back and put it in a museum--I would have them title the display "One of the LUCKY ones"

[road_rascal]

Original rotors? How the fvck did you manage that? I have 67,000 on my '01 and currently on my 3rd set...

[bruker]

Originally Posted by road_rascal

Original rotors? How the fvck did you manage that? I have 67,000 on my '01 and currently on my 3rd set...

About 75-80% of my miles are highway miles so I'm sure that helps. I've also always made it a habit to, when slowing down or coming to a stop, to apply the brakes then release them and coast a bit then applying them again. It may help keep the rotors from heating up too fast and warping.

[CoachKarl]

Just don't let the thing overheat buddy.

Karl

[Riordan3]

Hey, 183,000 miles on my 98 Windstar ( with 3.0L ) engine and tranny and no problems with either. I am on my second set of rotors though. First set lasted around 70,000 miles. Second set must be of higher quality than original set because they have not been an issue. I should make it to the 200,000 mile mark eventually with no problems I hope

[road_rascal]

I do 85% city driving with my van so the brakes get used a lot. I have close to 70,000 on my '01, and aside from brake work, it's been a good vehicle.

[ModMech]

My wife's '98 (actually I think it is a '97.5 because it was built in May of '97 but does have the larger D/S door) 3.0 just had the front rotors replaced for the first time at 113,000, and aside from replacing the belt tensioner and idler pulley there has been nothing but routine repairs to it so far (knock on wood). Almost all of the driving is city 30-40MPH within 5 miles of our home. The front pads were done the first time around 45,000 miles, just before we purchased it.

[wiswind]

That is great service from your vehicle......
Good maintenance and highway miles are your vehicle's friend.

[ModMech]

Actually, nearly 90% of the miles we put on our WS are city miles.

Obviously, my wife cannot be termed an abusive driver.

[Riordan3]

I'll vouch for my wife as being a abusive driver. She cannot keep her foot off of the brake pedal when she is driving. Thats why I never let her drive me around. Its a wonder the second set of rotors on my WS have lasted this long. Ever since she rear ended 2 sets of cars ( 2 seperate accidents ) she has been driving like this. Oh well, life goes on.

[k9hammer]

I have 3000,000 on 1999 winstar. No majores done yet. But have the misfire code thing going on. HAve replaced injectors, egr,o2 (front) plugs & wires. Still have the code. Funny thing, the light is now blinking on & off. When this light is blinking, the A/C clutch disingages. When the light stops blinking, the A/C starts working again. Any help?

[dougand3]

k9hammer, welcome to the forum. Misfire codes could come from clogged EGR ports. Check this thread out...it talks about pulling the plastic upper intake plenum and cleaning ports. Wiswind has some good pics.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...hlight=misfire


On my GF's 98 3.8L, I got both rotors turned at oreilly's for $10. Smooth braking for now...until she heats them up again by maintaining throttle until 200ft before a red light, then slamming the brakes. The concept of looking ahead and seeing a red light, backing off throttle, then coasting up to it...it's not in her toolbox. Her daughter is the same way...50 MPH, hard stop, 50 MPH, hardstop...she goes thru pads in 10k miles.