What are the steps to remove the engine from a Ford Windstar?

Answer 1

First thing to do is buy a good repair manual!You're going to put all that effort in, you should invest the $20 to get reliable, photos & illustrated instructions to go along with this expert advice.


In order to remove the engine of the Windstar, you will need an engine hoist or similar for engine support and to lower the engine down to the ground. The steps are as follows:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain and recycle the engine coolant.
3. Recover and recycle the refrigerant from the A/C system.
4. Remove the cowl top vent panel.
5. Disconnect the wiring from the alternator.
6. Loosen the air cleaner outlet tube clamp at the throttle body and remove the engine air cleaner assembly.
7. Disconnect the upper and lower radiator hoses and secure to engine.
8. Disconnect the heater water hoses and secure to body.
9. Disconnect and plug the A/C discharge and suction hoses and secure to engine.
10. Disconnect accelerator cable and speed control cable from the throttle body lever.
11. Remove the accelerator cable bracket from the throttle body.
12. Disconnect fuel supply and return lines from the fuel injection supply manifold.
13. Label and disconnect all engine wiring harnesses from the engine and secure to the body.
14. Label and disconnect all vacuum hoses from the engine.
15. Remove the gear shift cable from the transaxle.

Damage to the steering column air bag wiring cab result if the steering wheel is allowed to rotate freely. The wire is wound like a watch spring and can be overtightened and break of the steering wheel is rotated too far in either direction.

1. Lock the steering wheel with wheels in the straight ahead position by turning the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
3. Remove the front wheels.
4. Drain and recycle the engine oil.
5. Disconnect and plug the transaxle cooler lines at the transaxle. Secure the lines to the radiator.
6. Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor wiring harness.

Do not allow the flex connector of the duel converter Y-pipe to hang unsupported or damage to the flex joint will result.

1. Disconnect the dual converter Y-pipe and support to the body.

The routing of the battery ground cable to the cylinder block is critical. It should go between the transaxle and the bracket. Take note during disassembly.

1. Disconnect the starter motor wires and secure out of the way.
2. Remove the starter motor.
3. Remove the engine rear plate and torque converter-to-flywheel nuts.
4. Disconnect and plug the Power Steering cooler lines.
5. Remove the upper bolt from the sway bar links.
6. Remove the dust boot from the steering rack pinion support by gently spreading the integral tension ring and pushing upward.
7. Remove the steering coupling pinch bolt form the steering column intermediate shaft at the steering gear.
8. Remove the intermediate shaft from the steering gear.
9. Remove the front stabilizer bar links.
10. Separate the front suspension lower arms from the knuckles at the ball joint.
11. Separate the tie rod ends from the knuckle.
12. Remove the front axle wheel hub retainers from the halfshaft ends.
13. Remove the halfshafts from the front wheel knuckle.
14. Support the front subframe, engine and transaxle assembly.
15. Remove the four retaining bolts and lower the engine transaxle and front subframe from vehicle.
16. Disconnect the power steering pressure hose from the power steering pump.
17. Attach and engine hoist and lift the engine slightly.
18. Remove the engine support insulators.
19. Lift the engine and transaxle assembly from the front subframe.
20. Lower engine and transaxle.
21. Support transaxle on a level stationary surface and separate the engine from the transaxle.

Installation is the reverse of removal................I hope this helped you.