Wind Noise When on the Highway. 2001 Ford Windstar.

by Brenda
(Lansing, Kansas)

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar with 160,000 miles. I had a new engine put in about 3 years ago so that engine has many fewer miles.
I have a coolant leak and I think it is a cracked head gasket. I put water in it daily before I drive it while I am trying to determine if I should get it repaired or cut my losses.
About a week ago it started making noise when I get it on the highway. It sound fine until I get on the highway and get it to about 50 mph. It is the strangest noise from under the hood. I can hear the engine running fine but then it sounds like wind noise coming from under the hood. I can hear it in the van, it sounds like it is super windy even when it isn't and I am sure it is coming from under the hood. Is there ANYTHING that could be causing that wind sound under the hood?
Thanks,
Brenda



Steve Says,

Hi, Brenda. Thanks for visiting my website. I think the key to this engine noise that you are having is the fact that your van has been losing coolant. Since the coolant level has been getting low the engine has most likely been getting hotter than normal. Your cars computer sees that the engine is too warm and it then turns both of the engine fans on as fast as they will go. This creates the very loud wind noise that you hear from your engine compartment.

This seems to me to be the most likely cause. The best thing you can do right now is figure out where the coolant is going. If your van does not overheat then it is less likely to be a head gasket problem. Usually when a head gasket goes bad it will cause the engine to overheat, but not always.

To check this problem you should take it to a good repair shop and have them "pressure test" the cooling system. This test basically just puts the cooling system under pressure so the mechanic can see where the leak is coming from.

This test is usually quick and easy and the automotive technician should be able to tell you what needs to be replaced to get this coolant leak fixed.

This would be the best thing to do to figure out if you want to have your car repaired or just get rid of it. The auto repair shop can give you an estimate to repair the problem after they diagnose it, then you can make an informed decision as to what you want to do with the van.

I hope this has helped. Please come back and leave me a comment if you need more help or when you get this car problem figure out.