96 Windstar Loud Engine Knocking

[Jon04CTSV]

Hi everyone,

My daily driver, '96 Windstar with the 3.8L is knocking really loud. At first, it only happed around 2500rpms, but now it's gotten very bad. It knocks really loud from 2000-3000rpms. It happens when I'm on the gas or off.

Does anyone know what it is? It definately sounds like it's coming from the bottom, maybe the right side. It's got 157,000kms on it and we've had it since Day 1, and done oil changes every 5000kms.

Thanks in advance.

- Jon

[Johnny Mullet]

Sounds like a rod bearing or main bearing gave out on you. It's motor yankin' time.

[my99cavy]

does it sound like this?? (now grant it this is a cavalier but just to give you an example) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU2w89MFlKY

[corning_d3]

I wonder if it's intake gasket related? Seen a lot of 3.8's die this way...

[Jon04CTSV]

Originally Posted by my99cavy

does it sound like this?? (now grant it this is a cavalier but just to give you an example) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU2w89MFlKY

Sounds EXACTLY like that! What is the problem and what can be done about it? Thanks!

[my99cavy]

Originally Posted by Jon04CTSV

Sounds EXACTLY like that! What is the problem and what can be done about it? Thanks!

well in my case I was told that was a spun bearing and that ment 2 options,

A)rebuild the engine
B)new engine

[Jon04CTSV]

Originally Posted by my99cavy

well in my case I was told that was a spun bearing and that ment 2 options,

A)rebuild the engine
B)new engine

Not what I wanted to hear lol, thanks though...

I dunno if I should put a new engine in it or just replace it with a '98-00 Explorer.

[my99cavy]

IMO I would replace it with the explorer. Do you really have a need for the minivan??

[Jon04CTSV]

Originally Posted by my99cavy

IMO I would replace it with the explorer. Do you really have a need for the minivan??

Not really, but I've had it since day 1 so I know the history of it. I'm afraid of buying a used car and then it'll end up having even more problems.

[my99cavy]

Yeah thats the problem of buying a used car. The only other thing I could suggest then is buy something brand new or rebuild/swap a new engine into you windstar.

[Jon04CTSV]

Originally Posted by my99cavy

Yeah thats the problem of buying a used car. The only other thing I could suggest then is buy something brand new or rebuild/swap a new engine into you windstar.

Can't really afford something new since I have a CTS-V as a weekend car... Looking at a rebuilt engine I guess.

[my99cavy]

CTS-V you say huh how is that thing???

[Jon04CTSV]

A blast. It's my baby. So much fun.

[my99cavy]

Man I can only imagine how much fun that thing would be. Do you have any pics of it??

[corning_d3]

A caddy? Don't they hand assemble every engine in the V series?