Labor guide

[eforrest00]

I have a 99 windstar that has been leaking coolant and apparently needs to have the Timing cover gasket and the Intake manifold gsaket replaced. The estimate I received is ~1500 (700 for the timing cover and 800 for intake manifold). Does this sound about right? How many hours of labor are involved? Thanks

[MT-2500]

You did not tell what engine or the labor rate was.
Labor on front timmong cover gasket is 10 hr. on a 3.8 eng.
and 4 hrs on a 3L engine.
The intake depends on upper or lower from 2 to 5 hrs.
Also they may be figuring a timing chain on the front cover gasket.
And a intake manifold on the intake deal.
10 hrs and 5 hrs = 15hr at whatever labor per hr can add up to $$$??? plus parts
Take it or figure it from there.
MT

[eforrest00]

Sorry for not being clear......3.8 litre...lower intake. Is there any overlap on labor?

[MT-2500]

No one is on top and the other is on front.
You are looking at 15 hrs labor with a 3.8 eng.
MT

[12Ounce]

I wonder why they intend to replace gaskets on the lower intake manifold? Its usually the plastic upper that gives the problems on the '99. The upper is fairly easy ... and the parts cost less than $100.

I've done both upper and lower. I would not try the lower without removing the cowling covers. The coolant has to be drained for the lower.

The front engine cover I have not done, but will do one this year as soon as it warms up. Again, I expect to remove the cowling. And again, the coolant must be drained.

So there is a wee bit of overlap.

(And there's always the raising and lowering of the hood...LOL)

[wiswind]

Upper intake manifold gaskets / bolts are relative to a vaccum leak on '99 and newer windstars....But do not cause any coolant leak.

Lower intake manifold gasket can leak coolant....into the cylinders.
The front cover gasket can cause a coolant leak outside the engine....and also into the crankcase.......into the oil.
Both are serious and must be repaired.

$700 actually sounds low for the timing cover gasket.....so maybe they are combining some of the time. I was quoted over $1200 (US) for the front cover gasket at my dealership several years ago.

[eforrest00]

So ~1650 for both gaskets and they will be replacing 2 emission sensors (the engine light was on) is too bad?

[MT-2500]

Well give us some details.
What parts and prices on parts.
How many hr labor on each one and what is there labor rate per hr.
MT

[wiswind]

The MOST intensive part of the repair job is the front cover....they have to raise the engine......lower the oil pan (which requires dropping the "Y" pipe... part with the catalytic coverters) and remove the big pulley at the bottom of the engine......very labor intensive. The gasket is very cheap.....but the work to change it is major.
They should change the oil and coolant.

You can buy Motorcraft Oxygen sensors for about $57 each at www.rockauto.com Worst case...you would need 2 (the 2 "upstream" sensors). If one is bad (coolant can damage them), I would replace both as that is the only way to get the same switching charactoristics. The switching speed slows down as they age, so that is why you have to replace both to have them matched in switching speed.

You will want them to clean the EGR ports and the IMR "butterfly" plates while they have all that apart. Physically cleaning the spray end of the fuel injectors should be done also.

[12Ounce]

OK. If coolant leak is an issue and they intend to replace two sensors ... then replacing the lower intake gaskets makes sense. (Duh, don't know why I read through this.)

[juan.jose]

watch out!!!!!

Some winstars ( I think 3.8l 2000's) have a bypass metal hose over the engine and under the manifold, if this hose is leaking you will see water falling somewhere between the manifold and the metal body of the engine. This is very common issue and frequently overheated is the cause which force you to look for problems. You will see a lot of rust on the engine because this has been leaking for while, I'm sure.

This repair will cost you around 200 thru $300 only on a dealer...Hopefully, if no damaged from overheated.

Good look