Drives for 20 minutes from cold then shuts off

Tiny
ROBHOCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Hi! Just bought this van used. Lots of engine vibration. Check engine showed 4 weeks later, CAM alignment sensor code, pay for diagnostic showed CAM alignment synchronizer, had mechanic replace. No more check light but still lots of vibration and mechanic says need harmonic balancer $400.00 estimate. Pulled out of garage pedal to metal 4,500 RPM's. Turned around drove quarter mile sputtered to stop. Stalling loss of power, back to garage, brownish oil high on dipstick, mechanic ordered/installed Blue Devil head gasket sealer. Sat overnight. Engine will run from cold about 15 minutes then pinging increases until stalls out, sputters, hard to start. After 20 minutes cool down will run for 5 minutes. Drove 60 miles like this! Paid for oil change, different tech says "intake manifold/valve cover gaskets appear to be leaking". $125.00/hour diagnose no time estimate. Internet is free how 'about it? Low low budget so have to ask.
Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 10:01 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

You need to check the fuel pressure for the shutting off after 5 minutes. You may have a bad fuel pump.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Also, the blue devil stuff does not work. There is no sealer for a failed head gasket. All it does is clog up the radiator and heater core.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

The loss of power may be from the the coolant in the cylinders from the failed head gasket.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

I would have a leak down test done to confirm the head gasket. That is when the put air into each cylinder and look for any movement in the cooling system.

Roy
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
ROBHOCK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks Roy!

I will definitely start with the fuel pump. Do you really think I could have blown gasket? All fluids behaving normally no leaks, no warning lights, new oil change all systems say go. Cold engine cranks nice sounds nice goes until warm with increasing pinging until power loss/sputtering pull over wait till cool. Repeat!

Is there some issue with manifold grommets? (Saw old post) re:1998 Windstar?
By the way, thanks for ideas!
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 12:46 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The brown oil was the give away for the head gasket. You need to have a leak down test done to make sure it is not leaking.

The power issue could be the fuel pump but you need to test the pressure to verify.

No to the intake. If it was an issue, it would code lean running.

Roy
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
ROBHOCK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Update: radiator dry, bought 4 gal coolant oops, now not working.
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, back to the head gaskets. Most likely the head gaskets have failed.

Does the engine even crank? If it does not, remove the plugs and see if it cranks. It may spray out coolant from the cylinders.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 AT 9:33 AM

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