2000 Windstar, 3.8L, suddenly started smoking. Pulled over and opened hood only to find that most of my oil had dumped out on the ground. I shut it off before and internal damage. Had it towed home to

Probably head gasket failure - just like mine!

Doesn't sound good Al. Check your engine oil level and make sure it is ok. Could have had a rod bearing seize and fubar the whole engine. Oil puddle under van? Squeaking related but without hearing noise is a tough one. I have heard engines that are on the verge of seizing up to squeak as the bearings seize up and then finally just freeze and seize together. On a lighter note the vans are also prone to having the PCV hose at the back of the intake manifold fall apart and deteriorate. Odd noises have emanated from this sometimes very large vacuum leak that is created. Squeaks, Whistles, etc. If oil was in the hose at time of rupture then oil would have dumped onto the rear exhaust manifold that may have created this smoke from under the hood. You can find more information on this hose at mpvclub. If the engine still cranks over normally but will not start or starts and dies then can rule out the engine damage. The squeaks from this problem are a death call and engine will just not turn over at all.

Sounds like you have overheated the engine.

Your car shouldn't have just suddenly started burning oil. Its possible it's leaking in the engine compartment and the leak is dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold and the. The smoke is blowing out the back as you drive. I would think it's unlikely that the engine has been damaged since the check-engine light should have come on if the oil level was low enough to cause damage.

If hii find that bluish smoke is coming from the exhaust pipes, then the next thing to check is whether it smokes on acceleration or deceleration. If the latter, it may be just a valve issue. If it smokes a lot on startup, then it may be rings.

Check your engine coolant. If its brown you may have a blown head gasket which is causing it to leak into the cooling system. (expensive fix) but if it's not brown I'd take it to a mechanic and have further inspection. Hope this helps:)

The valve cover gasket isn't hard to change. Oil on the plugs indicates a more serious problem. Smoke from the exhaust would be from rings, rich mixture, worn valve guides. It may be that the engine is overfull (that would show on the stick). Oil loss from a leaking gasket would smoke under the hood and leave oil on the engine and the ground.

Replace the head gasket.

If its engine oil you probably broke a connecting rod or the crankshaft knocking a hole in the oil pan,If so the engine is no good

let me know.... as i'm guessing the oil plug was not properly tightened.... the oil wouldn't take long to drain especially if it was hot.

Robert