Ford windstar 1996 PS fluid shoots out

[bigbox]

I have a ford Windstar 1996 with 155K miles on it. Just bought it. I noticed that turning the steering from stop to stop when car is clod is Ok, but after driving the car for about 20 min. If I turn the steering to the end, the car would turn off. The oil light also comes on when moving the steering just a little when the car is not cold. I tried to test this while pressing the gas, the car did not turn off but the steering fluid started to shoot out of the reservoir. I checked the fluid, it was not overfilled but it was brown in color. Now the fluid is at the very minimum. It does not go out anymore but the car would turn off when moving the steering left or right from stop to stop. Will changing the fluid take care of this problem?
I do not know if this related but I also hear a noise at the right axle and knocking in the engine.
Thank you

[wiswind]

I would change the power steering fluid......it calls for a "Type F" transmission fluid.
I have Redline Synthetic Power Steering fluid in my '96.
The windstar is known for cooking the power steering fluid.
There are a number of posts on here about flushing the power steering fluid.

Also, I would change the oil.......and take a sample and send it to be tested.....You are looking for any coolant that may be getting into the oil.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Will get you all the information, and a free sample kit.
They will tell you if you have coolant in the oil.

Before spending any money on the vehicle......verify that there is not coolant getting into the engine oil.......as the repair will cost money.......and not repairing it will cause total engine failure.

I am not trying to scare you.....just trying to cover a potential problem.....so that you can get it solved if it is present.

For the '96 3.8L, common causes for coolant into the oil are the front cover (aka timing cover) gasket.......Major labor to replace that gasket.
Also the lower intake manifold gaskets are prone to leak.......buy ONLY genuine FORD / Motorcraft replacement lower intake manifold gaskets to make certain that you get the latest improved gaskets.
The head gasket is NOT a high failure item on the '96 and newer windstar....It was high failure on the '95, but they made changes after that year.

I had a very slight seapage at the front cover gasket....and have kept it sealed for 3 years with Bar's Stop leak.
I plan to keep some in my coolant all the time.....The silver bottle is easier to use than the original pelleted type....but both work.
They sell tablets and powder also.....which I plan to try next time.

A very good practice when getting a new-to-you vehicle is to change all the fluids.

For the '96 3.8L windstar.

Oil, 5W-30 OR 5W-20 (as per recent TSB).....I use a synthetic....Mobil 1 is good.

Transmission fluid Mercon or Mercon V (as per recent TSB)...synthetic is HIGHLY recommended, as is an auxilary cooler

Coolant, traditional green (hard to find now..... Motorcraft green).....I flushed mine and replaced with G-05 (motorcraft gold, or Zerex G-05)

Brake fluid, DOT3 fluid......bleed a libral amound from each wheel....until it runs out clean.

[phil-l]

I'll second periodically replacing power steering fluid (plus, I just did it last night).

My Windstar's P/S reminds me when the fluid is old: It gets noisier, and doesn't run as smoothly during parking lot manuvers.

I disconnect the return line at the reservoir, attach a clear hose (so I can see how much fluid is moving) and run it into a bucket (and block the open port on the reservoir). I run a quart of fresh fluid through the system with the engine idling, then put everything back together and fill up the system (again, with fresh, quality fluid).

Much smoother and quieter - and cheap insurance to extend the life of the system.

Follow-up question: Has anyone added P/S fluid cooling capacity to a Windstar (in addition to the OEM single-tube cooler)? Does it seem to help?

[bigbox]

Which one is the return line? There is one up attached with a nut and there is another below attached directly.
Thank you

[fz1rider]

Originally Posted by bigbox

Which one is the return line? There is one up attached with a nut and there is another below attached directly.
Thank you

The lower line is the one you disconnect. Do not remove the line with the nut. That's the high pressure line for the rack.

[bigbox]

I change the steering fluid today using type F transmission fluid. The car still did the same thing. I scanned it and found 2 codes
Intake Manifold stocked open and
o2 sensor slow response.
I took the car to the mechanic, he said that codes do not relate to the problem. He said I have bad oil pumb. To change it he'll need to remove about half of the engine and about $500 labor. What do you think? What the above codes means as far as repair.
Thank you

[LeSabre97mint]

Bigbox

What are the actual numbers for the trouble codes? They are helpful.

Regards

Dan

[bigbox]

Originally Posted by LeSabre97mint

Bigbox

What are the actual numbers for the trouble codes? They are helpful.

Regards

Dan

2 codes:
Intake Manifold stocked open and
o2 sensor slow response.

the mechanic said the lifters do not get enough oil and the pressure is too low when car is worm.