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Ford WindstarIntroduced in the mid-1990s, the front-wheel-drive Ford Windstar minivan campaigned with an emphasis on, and reputation for, safety. And in the hotly contested family minivan market of the time, that was an especially solid piece of ground to be on. As long as buyers didn't need to haul adults in back on a regular basis, the Windstar served a family's needs just fine.
CraigRK,
I also had this problem whith my '98. It would run real crappy when it got wet also. It turned out that all I had to do was retorque the plenum bolts. I have an '02 now and I'm getting the code on it. Looks like I'll have to do the bolt update.
Just thought I'd update this forum with what I hope is the final solution to my P0171/P0174 codes issue. After failing yet another MD emmissions test (I've learned to fail the test first, then start doing repairs so that costs count towards the state $$$ requirement), I began to investigate further.
As per my earlier posts, this problem on my vehicle was NOT from the defective isolator bolt/split plastic intake manifold issue that plagues '99 and later models. But I quickly discovered that a small rubber L connector that connects the PCV valve tubing to the intake manifold was at fault. This part was made of an obviously inappropriate material, and had both split and cracked, turned to gum, and had a hole in it, cuasing air to leak into the manifold. Replacing this small part with a replacement (less than $2) solved the problem. No more engine codes, and it passed the emissions inspection.
Although it's sort of a no-brainer, and I feel kind of foolish having had a problem with so simple a solution go on for so long, the take-away is that if you have these engine codes on a 1998 or earlier Windstar 3.8L V6, you might want to carefully inspect all vaccuum lines, the PCV valve, and all connectors first.
Just thought I'd update this forum with what I hope is the final solution to my P0171/P0174 codes issue. After failing yet another MD emmissions test (I've learned to fail the test first, then start doing repairs so that costs count towards the state $$$ requirement), I began to investigate further.
As per my earlier posts, this problem on my vehicle was NOT from the defective isolator bolt/split plastic intake manifold issue that plagues '99 and later models. But I quickly discovered that a small rubber L connector that connects the PCV valve tubing to the intake manifold was at fault. This part was made of an obviously inappropriate material, and had both split and cracked, turned to gum, and had a hole in it, cuasing air to leak into the manifold. Replacing this small part with a replacement (less than $2) solved the problem. No more engine codes, and it passed the emissions inspection.
Although it's sort of a no-brainer, and I feel kind of foolish having had a problem with so simple a solution go on for so long, the take-away is that if you have these engine codes on a 1998 or earlier Windstar 3.8L V6, you might want to carefully inspect all vaccuum lines, the PCV valve, and all connectors first.
Best Regards,
CraigRK
One of the first steps in diagnosis is visual inspection. I have yet to fully act on that (despite knowing that it's sooo important).
I recently fixed my auto teachers chevy truck w/ a lean code. Gues what it was? a disconnected PCV hose!!! lol It simply proves that problems can be simple, but yet we always think of the bigger things first. Interesting
just wanted to say my dad owns a 2000 windstar and is pulling three codes - p0171 and 074, as well as 0161. as always i did a search FIRST and found all of this very useful info...thanks for posting it guys...and as a reference to noobs (like myself on here, though not a noob to other auto forums for my cars), USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION FIRST!
I had taken my van in to ford and for repairs for the P171 & P174. ford covers this service under teh 7 yr 70 miles waranty. luckly my va was onl at 64K so ford covered it.
What was done replace a/ repaired the some under teh oil (blk cover where the oil is pored into the engine. then took off th manifold cover (black top cover ) and replaced the soe parts with new parts. gray colo rings ( like a oil ring but flexable kind not a solid kind. bottom line is they fixed it and the van runs fantastic just lie new again with full 20 horses back to the engine. But now I have other mior isses such as ABS brake system how do I check and replace the part if need it and what is the part number and what is it called? also how do I fix the wires for the speckers.
Everytime you have a problem code check all your hoses, vacuum lines and such for damage. They are quick and cheap to replace. If all looks well then you need to get some professional advice.
Always ask for a full diagnoses from ford stealerships before they do any work. Then come here post what they said and we can guide you through the procedure.
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