1998 Windstar... another new engine!?!?!

[Flyingjackal456]

Ok, I'm sure some of you regulars are wondering about the title on this thread.

Yeah... about that... So I've been having some wierd issues with P0171 and stalling that noone could figure out, I replaced a bunch of things (those parts were old and near-dead anyway) and eventually got it fixed. (2 hours and $300 at the Ford dealer, kinda pissed I didn't do this earlier)

They diagnosed that the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) was not aligned properly, they realigned it and it ran great. However the P0171 code kept coming on, shortly after, the P0171 became a P0340 (Cannot Read CPS) and the oil light was on. I immediately stopped the van and called AAA. I had it towed to a wonderful, but expensive mechanic in NY (I was away at the time) after about 1-2 hours he pulled me into the garage, and shoved a camera in the engine and showed me the camshaft gear, that drives the CPS, which then drives the oil pump... He told me he will order the part, and put it in, but it is only a temporary fix, and the new CPS will wear down shortly after (he said maybe 200-500 miles).

So $400 later, I took the van to my installer, where he pulled out the new CPS bought the CPS alignment tool, and a camera, and looked inside the engine. However they could not see any wear evidence on the gear on the camshaft. He put everything back together and he said we'll look again in 7,000 miles, and if we can prove there is damage to either gear, we'll replace the engine.

So last week, the van started showing a couple weird signs... When I started it (cold) on Thursday morning, it cranked but didn't fire right away, hesitating to turn over, but then started up. After it is running it seems fine. Maybe 2 days and 160 miles after that at 2AM and 150 miles from home, the van decides to pull out a P0340 and the oil light. (...ahhh, what a night, good thing I just came from McDonalds drive-thru.) So after spending most of the night calling AAA and waiting for an Interstate tow to the installer, I finally got back, and finally went to sleep 10AM Sunday morning.

Monday late-morning, my installer already pulled the engine out, called the company, and began the warantee claim. He has the timing cover off and he said the gear on the Camshaft is definitely toast. I saw it too, it really got worn down. (Sadly, I didn't take pictures)

Hopefully I will get the van back soon, it's been just over 1 full week. I'm also hoping that my P0171 will leave with the engine, guessing a faulty Camshaft was the cause of the code.

[BroncoJoe19]

Congrats on your new engine.
I Hope things go better this time around

[mark v]

WOW! I hope you get reimbursed for all that cash you forked out.

Good luck on the new Engine.

Remember Motorcraft filters next time!

[Flyingjackal456]

Actually mark, you should really take a look at the Puloator Pure 1 Filter

Purolator makes the filters for motorcraft, but because Ford wanted the filter to last longer, the motorcraft filter-paper is coarse. However the Pure One Filter has a finer paper for better filtering performance.


On a slightly un-related note, I know the windstar calls for double platinums, and that the V6 bitches if you give it anything but, but what about these DENSO Plugs?
Denso Platinum TT
They are Platinum/Titanium Enhanced but the improvement I see is that both the electrode AND the ground strap have tips on it, this theoretically should allow for a more precise spark. Just wondering if anyone has ever tried these.

[mark v]

The only other plug I would try would be the E3 Spark Plugs | Automotive Spark Plug | Motorcycle Spark Plugs | E3

[Flyingjackal456]

Well that's not a current issue, I will probably swap the plugs after break-in.

Supposedly the shop will be firing up the new engine tomorrow. Sadly I'm out of town, and I will have to wait until the weekend to pick it up. I dicided to throw in a new NAPA power brake booster too, as that was showing signs or wear and tear (plus it could be a major source for vacuum leaks).

I hope they gap the plugs this time, I do not feel like pulling plugs over the weekend.

Thanks for the input Mark, I'll consider it in the future. (Still think those multi-ground strap plugs are a gimmick, haha)

[Flyingjackal456]

UPDATE: Still didn't get it back, the new motor had a cracked head.... so the new head should have came in today or tomorrow.... Might be ready by the Weekend!!!

[mark v]

Hope you are getting a free rental!

[Flyingjackal456]

HAHAHAHA, you're funny mark... Really.

No rental, luckily I have a lot of cars laying around, plus the Prius saved a lot of gas last month ;-)

Anyway, I finally got the thing back (actually a bit over a week ago). The thing is SMOOTH. I haven't raced the thing at all so I can't judge the power or anything. It's still breaking in. I have about 500 miles on this block, and everything seems well. It will be due for a head retorquing soon...

I like this motor a lot, it seems to be very nice, not like the other one, it does feel better. I also like the power brake booster, the brakes feel great now. The steering is also very tight, (recently replaced rack and pinion, all the tie rods). The van really feels good, It needs a wash inside and out though. I do have one issue with it (small) but because my job as a moderator, I have to be a model of the proper forum viewer... so I will post a new topic in a new thread.

[mark v]

No seriously you should have gotten a rental that was free, no joke. Glad it is running better now!