Windstar 98

I have a cloud of blue/white smoke billowing from the exaust. It is not over heating and I can smell anti-freeze (I am losing it) 133K 3.8L '98 windstar. Is this a symptom of a blow or leaky head gasket? PS. I see no external loss of coolant. Help. Thanks, VM

Very likely the problem is with the lower intake manifold gasket.
The head gasket is not as high of a failure item on the post '95 windstar.
You could have a compression check done to see.
It sounds like the leak is beyond what one should try fixing with Bar's Stop Leak. The stop leak is fine for seapage, but this sounds like a major leak.

You have to take the lower intake manifold off to get to the head gaskets.
If you do end up changing the head gasket, I would have the lower intake manifold gaskets changed as well.
Hopefully the head gasket is fine though.

Thank you. Any one have a price range for taking to a shop? I also assume the only way of knowing if the head gasket is still good would be to take it apart? IS the lower intake manifold different from the problem folks are having with spacer bolts?

could this also explain oil loss along with coolant?

I was out there today with it. It is doing it intermidiate. I would get the heavy swhite moke until the van warms up and will go almost completly away. Would this give any more of an indication that its the Lower intake manifold gasket vs. the head gasket? All your help is apprieciated. Thanks, VM

I had the same problem.. heavy white smoke until car warmed up. I took it to a Ford dealer and it was fixed (upper manifold gasket) for ~$550.
At the same time, they cleaned EGR ports (included in $550). That was ~1.5 years ago and it had 98K miles. It has been running fine since.

Was it the upper or lower? Does the upper get exposed to coolant? I am hoping that replacing the easy gaskets is all this van needs too. I can swing the $600 vs. 1600 dollars. VM

I believe that he had the lower intake manifold gaskets replaced.
The coolant passages do not get to the upper intake manifold, or it's gaskets.


The isolator bolt issue is ONLY for 1999 and newer windstars, as they changed the intake manifold in '99.

I would have them clean up the EGR ports and Intake Manifold Runners while they have the lower intake manifold off.

I talked to the shop they are telling me they did some test and it shown there was coolant getting into cylinder 1. Is this possible if its the lower intake? The guy at the shop said they would need to do a tear down to find out if there is a leaky head gasket or possibly a cracked block. Is it possible the van would continue to run close to correctly (except as note above) with out seizing or doing extensive/obvious damage? I am confused and worried I am having unecessary work done. Thank you again, VM

PS I did tell him what was noted above and he still believed they would need to tear it down to find out if the cylinder was cracked or a head gasket issue.

PS should I stop be determined about it not being the head gasket and let them do the work anyways?

I talked to the shop they are telling me they did some test and it shown there was coolant getting into cylinder 1. Is this possible if its the lower intake? The guy at the shop said they would need to do a tear down to find out if there is a leaky head gasket or possibly a cracked block.

I wonder if these mechanics have enough knowledge to do a leakdown test on that cylinder. That would preclude the need for a teardown. If it's the head gasket, the cylinder will fail and leak through to the crankcase or coolant. If the lower manifold, the cylinder will receive coolant from the intake valve so the cylinder will pass the test. You can isolate the side of the failuire by looking at your oxygen sensors. They will show a green hue on the base of the sensor from antifreeze. That would isolate the front or back bank.

Do you have any oil in your coolant? Do you have any brown pasty goo in your oil? Both are evidence of head gasket failure. I have a friend with a 96 that will "burn" 2 gallons in a 5 mile trip. A fun car to follow and now sits forever in his driveway (heavily abused).

Heads are about $200. You can replace the them and add new gaskets all around for under $600 if you do it yourself. The service manual is online and it's a step by step procedure with normal tools.
Marc/Atlanta

While the head gaskets do not fail on the post '95 windstar as often as the '95, they can still fail. If they can do the leak down test as described, they may be able to verify the head gasket. Coolant CAN leak into the cylinder(s) from a leak in the lower intake gasket. If you have them do the head gasket, have them do the lower intake manifold gaskets, as they have to tear that apart anyhow.

I would NOT use any "head gasket in a can" type of product.
I also think that your leak is more serious than what you should try to fix with Bar's Stop Leak.

The stop leak is OK for a slight seapage, and with the leaks that the 3.8L engine is known for.....I keep some in my coolant all the time.

I believe that the van is worth the repairs if it is in decent shape otherwise.
You DO want to get the problem repaired......and NOT continue to drive with this problem.

The mechanic did say he tested pressure (I believe it was cooling system pressure???) and it didn't pass and he took out plug #1 (the suspected cylinder, may have shown a misfire code-got them before from this cylinder) and he said the plug shown signs of coolant burn-off. Thats why I raised the question of whether or not coolant can seep down into the cylinder from the lower intake manifold. I am not driving it now. I have taken 3 trips over the course of 6 months, of 1000 miles each plus regular useage, since this first started (smaller white smoke problems) and has gotten proggressively worse (white smoke), WOULDn't I have seized up the engine or have had other serious engine problems by now if it were a head gasket or a cracked cylinder????????????? The engine hasen't even overheated. Thanks again, VM

As Wiswind said, coolant can definitely make the cylinder through the intake. It will just not be a significant consideration in a leakdown test. I warned my friend almost 2 years ago that his was going to go when I saw the green residue on his oxygen sensor. It took another 5000 miles but she's a water pump now, having shot the #6 plug into the firewall from the pressure. It will grow progressively worse. It's only a matter of heading-off serious engine damage at this point. The old 3.8 is giving you ample warning. One day, there will be enough water in the cylinder that a hot start will crack a piston or bend a rod. "Pay me now or pay me later" is the consideration.

THANK YOU ALL GUYS!!! I got the call today. A blown lower intake manifold gasket! I am greatful it isnt anything worse!

A good and low cost ending 0- excellent!

$600 this will cover labor, parts, 2 bolts and oil change. Thanks again folks! VM