1998 Ford Windstar engine and engine cooling problems

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY), THE VEHICLE WOULD START JERKING VIOLENTLY FROM THE REAR TO THE FRONT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINTS, BUSHING, INTAKE GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS, AND LOWER CONTROLS ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE ALREADY PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,131 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.”

“COIL AND SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF ENGINE WHEN TRUCK WAS STARTED (1998). THE EXPEDITION HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE THIS ISSUES AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUES. WHY IS FORD NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY; SO FAR ACCIDENT AVOIDED. I HAD TO REPLACE ONE COIL PACK EACH YEAR SO FAR BUT THIS WAS THE WORSE. I NEEDED THE CINDER RETREADED TO FIT THE SPARK PLUG IN. *TR”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FLAME COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONTACT USED WATER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAME. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO REPORTED TO THE SCENE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.”

“#6 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYL HEAD. REINSTALLED AND REPLACED COIL SINCE IT BROKE MOUNT. PUT BACK IN SERVICE AND NEXT PLUG IN BANK (#7) BLEW WITHIN 10 MILES AT APPROX SAME SPEED. WHEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS MODULAR ENGINE PRIOR TO 04. WHEN THEY MAKE SPECIAL TOOLS AND INSERTS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, FORD SHOULD PONY UP AND HAVE THE INSERTS INSTALLED AT LEAST FOR THE NORMAL LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE ENGINE. *TR”

“SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY -- VERY DANGEROUS. HAD CHILDREN IN CAR. HAD TO BE TOWED. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE--5.4L-- IN OTHER FORDS AS WELL. HE HAD ANOTHER FORD WITH SAME PROBLEM COME IN THE PREVIOUS WEEK, AND HAS SEEN SEVERAL OTHERS RECENTLY (THIS IS JUST ONE SMALL TOWN/RURAL MECHANIC). PLEASE TAKE ACTION -- IT'S A COSTLY REPAIR. *KB”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ONCE HE TURNED ON THE HEATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,816.”