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Ford Windstar Engine Problems

71 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2012 at 7:26 PM

You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Engine, Van

Messages Page 5 of 8

#40 of 71 Re: 2000 Ford Windstar - Engine dying when slowing down or stopping [rayden19] by rcarlisle

Jan 11, 2009 (10:55 am)

Replying to: rayden19 (Dec 13, 2008 12:37 pm)
Could be the mass air flow sensor, or fuel pressure regulator going bad. Also, sometimes a more simpler fix is hard to find, but there is usually an idle screw adjustment on the throttle housing or which used to be where the "carbuerator" was on older models. sometimes wear occurs there, and all you have to do is adjust the idling screw up a bit to solve the problem, mechanics at shops overlook this adjustment frequently, a simple fix usually with this screw, but it is sometimes hidden and hard to see, just trace the accelerator linkage and you will find it! Hope this is of some help.

#41 of 71 by rcarlisle

Jan 11, 2009 (11:11 am)

Could be gas filter or gas cap, (1) The first thing I ALWAYS do is add try adding a bottle or two of "Heat" gas treatment to no more than 10 gallons of gas, never hurts! Also there is a mass air flow sensor, or fuel pressure regulator that could be going bad, there are many, many more things it COULD be. (2) sometimes a more simpler fix, and the screw is hard to find, but there is usually an idle screw adjustment on the main Injection port or throttle housing which used to be in the area where the "carbuerator" set on older models, and all you have to do is adjust the idling screw up a bit to solve the problem, mechanics at shops overlook this adjustment frequently, a simple fix by idling up the engine a bit with this screw, has fixed several for me! but it is sometimes hidden and hard to see, just trace the accelerator linkage and you will find it! This may not solve everyone's problems, but hope this is of some help to a few.

#42 of 71 Re: 2002 Windstar MAF and Intake problems [slms1] by fadl

Feb 15, 2009 (3:16 pm)

Replying to: slms1 (Dec 29, 2008 9:36 pm)
I had a similar problem and replacing the spark plugs fixed it for a short while. One of the spark plugs was dirty, the problem went away after it was replaced.

#43 of 71 RE: 2002 Windstar MAF and Intake problems by slms1

Feb 16, 2009 (7:41 am)

We did a tune up on Thursday, the plugs were dirty, didn't help. The car started acting up again. We had it at the mechanics on Thursday morning, did a smoke test and there were no leaks, but it is an obvious vacuum issue. I spoke to someone Saturday night that told me its the lower intake, this leak doesn't show up on a smoke test. He said there is a rod that goes through the lower intake and it has something like a neoprene sleeve around it. The sleeve wears out and slips into the manifold causing the leak. He thinks replacing this will take care of the whole problem. I can't talk my husband into buying a new vehicle and this is at least a $600 repair I am told, on top of the $1000 we have already sunk into it. I will let you know if and when we repair it, if it was the problem. All I know is I am ready to junk it, I don't want to be on the highway with kids in tow and breakdown.

#44 of 71 2000 Windstar burning oil by bwomack1

Feb 17, 2009 (4:22 pm)

Hello,
My WS was idling rough so I got a tuneup and oil change 100K miles. A couple of weeks later the oil light came on; I checked and I was almost dry.
 
Took it back to the mechanic who said I need a valve cover kit.
 
Took it to another mechanic today who agreed with the first guy's diagnostic code (vacuum seal leak?) but he says I'm losing too much oil for the valve kit to fix the problem.
 
Expl: I put in 2 quarts 3 days ago and today I've lost a quart of it.
 
Mechanic #2 fears the problem is in the motor but won't know until taking things apart (costly).
 
Does anyone have any advice?

#45 of 71 Re: 2000 Windstar burning oil [bwomack1] by slms1

Feb 17, 2009 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: bwomack1 (Feb 17, 2009 4:22 pm)
I agree with you on costly. I found out from several mechanics that this rough idling thing that I am experiencing was also causing my engine to leak oil. They told me a that a vacuum leak in the manifold can cause oil to leak from the engine. We only replaced the upper manifold and no leaking now, but still rough idling. I spoke to another mechanic, again and he said if and when we replaced the upper manifold, if we didn't clean out the EGR valves then this could be cause enough for the rough idle. So one night this week we are going to try this and see if it will fix it. My advice, I know dealers are expensive, but after talking to this last guy, our neighbor who we just found out is a Ford mechanic, said it is totally worth it to at least come in and get a diagnosis for $90 and they can pinpoint the problem and tell you how to fix it if you want to save yourself lots of money.
 
I will let you know how this all turns out for the idling problem.

#46 of 71 1995 Ford Windstar GL 3.8 HELP by rgrandam1

Mar 10, 2009 (6:31 pm)

Van was sounding like a truck, idleing crappy, like an idle surge. Husband put in a new flex pipe after the cat. The sound went away but the van was still running rough. Idle when in park is like vamps up, vamps down. Not a continus smooth idle. While driving it has no pick up, when taking off from a stop at times it stalls out. Engine light came on and my husband then replace the air filter, gas filter, and then the engine light went off and remained off. When on highway and trying to pass or climbing a hill at top speed it bogs down but there is a whineing sound. He changed the transmission fluid and filter and put transmission lucas in it. He also adjusted the idle speed screw and it ran a little bit better for a week and then it started acting up again. He adjusted it again today, did a vacmune check on egr valvle OK. and gas pressure regulator. was OK as well. the idle still not smooth but driving is alittle bit better and no stalling at stops signs when i take off. He also changed the crank sencor no change.. Ok so HELP what is the heck wrong with it.

#47 of 71 Re: 1995 Ford Windstar GL 3.8 HELP [rgrandam1] by seloo

Mar 11, 2009 (3:02 am)

Replying to: rgrandam1 (Mar 10, 2009 6:31 pm)
Try cleaning or replacing the ICV.
 
Good Luck

#48 of 71 1993 subaru legacy L wagon awd by rgrandam1

Mar 11, 2009 (9:57 am)

Hello I have no reverse I have all forwad gears ok reverse not engageing. Ichanged fluid and filter. The owner just realized that the reverse took longer to engage for a while then when I moved it to change fluid the reverse was not there. Please can anyone tell me what could ti be Thanks

#49 of 71 1997 Ford Windstar 3.8 engine leak by dabblerz

Mar 11, 2009 (9:15 pm)

I have a 1997 Ford Windstar with a rebuilt engine. Because of engine corrosion and gasket problem the engine leaked and failed. I had it rebuilt but the problem has arisen again. The leak is somewhere under the timing cover I think. I tried a silica leak stop solution put in and that solved it for a couple of months. Is there anything that is better for my situation?

Messages Page 5 of 8

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