2000 Windstar- Engine/accessory squeak

[Redline69]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

I agree with Waxhaw, Mark ... stick around.

Some manufacurers have had problems with cam chain design, but the 3.8 has a pretty rugged set-up. My chain should no wear at 216 kmiles when I did a light engine overhaul. I did replace the tensioner and guides while in there.

Once the engine designers select a chain over a belt... they then have to provide a cover to contain the oil. Next comes the water pump ... where is it to be mounted? If on the chain cover, how will the coolant be ported? Most designers select passages thru the cover ... big mistake in my opinion, for now a leaking gasket can let coolant into the crankcase. Not good. This is a weakness of the 3.8 ... the front cover gaskets tend to fail ... and are difficult to replace "in car".

The synchronizer is poorly thought out also. Dry of lubricant ... it could have really used a grease fitting!

I agree that synchronizer should have a grease fitting in there. It wouldn't be hard to do.
When I removed the old one,it was very tight. Surprisingly tight. I'm sure it would have failed soon enough.


I hope I don't have to get to that stage..replace the timing chain cover gasket..
But now my lastest dilemma is the rear axle. As per our recall notice, they found a hole in the rear axle. Now the fun starts..wait for the replacement,or consider the buyout. I like my 09 F150 (so far), but regarding a replacement for the Windstar, we don't really care for the Flex, Escape or Edge.

Phil,I found a very helpful video on Youtube showing how they replaced a Synchronizer on a 3.8 Taurus. Not totally the same,but you get the idea.

Frank

[wiswind]

I am guessing that once you hear the squeaking.....that you have wear.
At that point you will be lucky to be able to solve the problem by lubrication as there has been some scoring.
As for when to replace the Synchro?......my '96 had over 229K miles on it when I sold it......and it still had the original......and I had not done anything to lubricate it.
I am wondering if the fact that I had a very clean internal motor (no sludge, varnish, etc) as far as I could see......was a factor in my syncro not causing me any problem?

As for the front cover gasket......FORD used a very poor material for the gasket for the front cover, once that gasket was replaced with a gasket that was made of better material......the problem would not come up again.

My Toyota Sienna (2003) has a timing belt, and I had the job done for me......as it was more than I wanted to try to do.
It is a every 90K mile job.
A timing belt is quieter than a timing chain.
Toyota did, in much more recent years, put a timing chain in there, and added some more sound insulation in the engine compartment.
The Sienna may have improvements (and a reputation for better reliablility) over my old windstar, but there are some things that were better on the windstar.

[Redline69]

Update.

As I previously wrote, they found a hole in the rear axle. Ford them offered me a buyout of $4Gs on our 2000 w/260,000 kms.
I wasn't really ready for this,but the offer was too good to pass up. The WS has been giving me a lot of grief lately. Also the original tranny was starting to give me a whirring sound. Also the subframe issue..
We signed the papers back in mid Dec,and we still have use of the rental until our payment arrives. Although I do see our Ol Windstar is gone from the lot it was sitting in.
As for a replacement...not 100% sure yet..as we just bought a new 09 F150 last year, so I think we're going to look for a good used mid sized SUV.
Thanks for all the help keeping the WS going.

Frank