transmission/engine

[kieselbach75]

Hello everyone, I'm new and this is my first post. Windstar 2001 3.8

I replaced my converter hub seal and went to start the engine. After a few seconds while still in park the engine begins to stutter and wants to stall out.

When I put it in drive or reverse its worse, the rpms vary (by about 400) and seems to want to stall.

Maybe a sensor is malfunctioning or I reinstalled something incorrect. There is no warning lights coming on. Thanks for any feedback and experience.

[ajpletcher]

check your vacum lines and your wiring connectors first.

[kieselbach75]

I checked the connections and vacuum lines. I ran an obd2 diagnostic and no codes showed.

drive seems to want to stall the engine faster than reverse. The longer it's in drive the more it want go.

I am scared to take it on a test drive. any ideas

[vindctar]

Something obstructing the exhaust pathway, maybe a forgotten socket or a wrench? No seriously, did the seal sit properly??

[kieselbach75]

My first concern was that the converter was not in correctly. But I remember the bolt up pulled the converter slightly towards the flexplate (flywheeel). I am confident the seal is in good, no leaks yet.

I double checked the grounds, connections, and fluids. This might be my first trip ever to a service station (dealer).

[vindctar]

Don't give them any leads; brief description of the problem and let them do the rest. They must know that this is all you want done because dealers mostly like to go on a shopping spree "but with your money". Goodluck.

[GraybeardAv]

Drag in the drivetrain sounds like a possibility. Does the starter spin it as before?

Hunting rpm means lean mixture, either vacuum leak, EFI sensor, or low fuel pressure.

Don't expect the shop to find it quickly if you can't.

GB

[kieselbach75]

There was a vacuum leak in the intake manifold gasket, so they told me. Turn s out 650 dollars later (minus 90 for diagnostic and 15 for parts), they should have said, I have a leak in the plenum gasket.

A big difference in part availability and time. So the mechanic must have taken a few smoke brakes during his day.

I think it took me 5 hours to pull the tranny and this guy spent that on a plenum gasket.

Most importantly of all, the wife is happy to have a car for our vacation tomorrow.

thanks

[vindctar]

650 bucks ...that is a rip off...but I am glad it's over for you and hope it stays this way. Have a safe and happy vacation. (With all the gas prices, don't you wish for this much money, they had converted this into a hydro-car! )

Originally Posted by kieselbach75

There was a vacuum leak in the intake manifold gasket, so they told me. Turn s out 650 dollars later (minus 90 for diagnostic and 15 for parts), they should have said, I have a leak in the plenum gasket.

A big difference in part availability and time. So the mechanic must have taken a few smoke brakes during his day.

I think it took me 5 hours to pull the tranny and this guy spent that on a plenum gasket.

Most importantly of all, the wife is happy to have a car for our vacation tomorrow.

thanks