Steam coming from oil dipstick?

[cinsin]

My husband and I looked at a 2001 Windstar with 128k last night for $1500

The biggest thing that concearned us was after he drove it down the road when he got back we checked to oil again and noticed steam coming out from the dipstick hole. When we drove home we checked ours to see if it did the same but it didn't... so we're not sure why it would do that?

Last night we decided it wasn't worth it because we are worried about the steam issue but it is a really good price and the van is clean. It needs a strut and alignment from where it had been in a minor accident they replaced the body parts and didn't do anything to the suspension. There was a lot of rat poop under the hood... but we couldn't find any wires that had been chewed.

I would like some input before I decide to pass on the van... especially about the steam. My husband works at a junkyard and we don't mind minor work.

['97ventureowner]

I'm moving this to the Ford Windstar forum. There you might get some quicker answers by those more familiar with this model.

[northern piper]

this doesn't sound good. Somewhere there is something wrong. If you can, I'd ask for a sample of the oil. Send it off to Blackstone labs (www.blackstonelabs.com). They'll do a rush analysis on it and let you know what's up. If you've got exhaust gas, coolant etc in the oil the lab test will tell you. Think of it as bloodwork for your van. I'd be pretty careful before purchasing this van myself.

Keep us updated though!

Piper

[12Ounce]

Water vapor coming from the crankcase is not good. The accident history bothers me more. $1500 may be the price ... but not the cost.

[bdahl385]

Originally Posted by cinsin

There was a lot of rat poop under the hood... but we couldn't find any wires that had been chewed.

I would like some input before I decide to pass on the van... especially about the steam. My husband works at a junkyard and we don't mind minor work.

I wouldn't take any chances with these two "known issues" (previous wreck and steam in crankcase). The rat poop is also worrisome, they weren't there just to sleep and crap. I bet there are rubber vacuum hoses and wires with gnaw marks on them, probably in spots you can't even see!!!

[wiswind]

You are taking a chance on this one....
As mentioned.....an oil sample to blackstone labs, to see if you have coolant in the motor oil.....the major causes of this would be lower intake manifold gaskets.....and the front cover (aka timing cover) gasket.
The lower intake manifold gaskets are not too bad of a job....but that front cover is a major labor intensive job.

It is possible that the steam.....IF SLIGHT is from condensation from sitting around not running for a long time.
If a lot of steam.....I would pass on this vehicle.
There are a lot of windstars out there that are at a good price......and you can find a good value.

Now....at over 100K miles......the maintenance history is important.......the transmission on many minivans fail around where you are mileage wise.......the windstar is no different.
A quality transmission will set you back close to $3000 installed.
The transmission fluid should have been changed AT LEAST every 30K miles.

I would also have the alignment checked (front and rear).......to see if anything has been bent.
Minor camber/caster adjustment can be made if you have a "camber/caster adjustment kit" installed when you have the struts replaced.
This is NOT normally adjustable without some messing around.......and it is easy to install the kit when the struts are already being replaced.
This should not need adjustment unless the vehicle has been damaged, like in a accident.

For struts.....you might consider the Monroe "quick-strut" that includes the "sensa-trac" strut, spring, mounts....upper bearing...etc all in 1 unit.

[rhandwor]

I would price a rebuilt long block and plan on installing it if I purchased the Van. Its cheaper to buy a quality van than repairs.