Any changes between 95 to 98 models?

[atikovi]

Can anyone summarize the significant changes over the years for the 1st generation Windstar? I just picked up a '98 and wanted to know if there were any improvements over the previous years. Any weak points to watch out for?

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by atikovi

Can anyone summarize the significant changes over the years for the 1st generation Windstar? I just picked up a '98 and wanted to know if there were any improvements over the previous years. Any weak points to watch out for?

I bought a damaged 98 not knowing that the 98 has it's own style of headlights and header pannel, thus driving up the price of these parts. I'm getting closer on getting it going. The frame is repaired. Now I need to put it back together.

Some of the improvements that I've noticed from my 95 to my 98 are: the rear windows are on the drivers door instead of on the dash. On my 95 there isn't any thing protecting the lock button in the rear but the 98 does. (I locked both sets of keys in because of this) My 98 has the ability for the drivers seat to slide and tilt forward to allow passage to the rear. I know the horse power was increased from the 95 (not sure how much off hand).

My 95 is on it's second set of head gaskets. The 95's weak area is the headgaskets.

I was looking on Craigs List and saw a 98 for sale with a bad trannie with only 77,000. My 95's trannie is going strong at 210,000+ miles. I know if the fluid is keeped fresh the trannie has a better chance of lasting longer.

I'm sure others will have some more thoughts.

Regards

Dan

[wiswind]

The head gaskets are better starting in '96....they made changes to address this.....1 thing was a bit thicker casting.
The horsepower went to 200hp starting in '96 with the redesigned intake...with the IMRCs that you read about.

The transmission in the 96 was improved over '95...but still a significant weak point.
As mentioned.....keep that fluid changed at least every 30K miles as the manual calls for......21K miles for "severe" service.
An auxillary transmission cooler is highly recommeded.
It is installed in series with the factory one that is inside of the radiator.
Synthetic fluid is also highly recommeded.
FORD issued a TSB this past summer.......Mercon V is now approved for all years.......

For the 3.8L engine, '95 is not good with head gaskets.
The later years are good......however lower intake manifold gaskets are known to leak on the post '95 years.....which is often misdiagnosed as head gaskets....as the lower intake manifold gaskets can leak in such a way as to let coolant into the intake....and be drawn into the cylinders.

Also, the front cover, aka timing cover, gasket is known to leak......can be internal....into the engine oil.....
I caught mine when it was a very slight seapage....and sealed it with Bar's Stop leak......and it has been fine for about 4 years that way.

Use automatic transmission fluid for power steering fluid in all years.....
Older windstars call for a type "F" ATF.
At some point, they changed to Mercon ATF for the power steering fluid.
The windstar is known for cooking the power steering fluid.....so a flush with a synthetic fluid is a good move.
And even then.....changing the power steering fluid every couple of years is a good idea.

If and when the CEL (Check Engine Light) comes on, a stop at your local Autozone or Advanced Auto should get you a free read of the codes.....
Get the actual numeric codes.
P0171 and / or P0174 are almost always a vaccum leak....not defective oxygen sensors.
With the code(s), a search in this forum will almost certainly find you several people who have had the same code.....and a solution for it.

The TSB for Isolator bolts is for 1999 and newer windstars.....and does not apply to 1998 and older.
They made major changes for the 1999 year.....including a much different upper intake manifold....that had isolators for the bolts that held it down.....that broke down from the oil...and caused vaccum leaks.