I'm going to purchase this van, so I'm trying to find out a little more info. ahead of time. When the van is started up cold, it's hard to keep running. It misses and is somewhat unresponsive to the accel pedal. It puts out an incredible amount of black smoke when you try to get it to accelerate.

Once it has warmed up, it seems to idle ok and accelerate ok, but still if you rap the throttle quickly, lots of black smoke come pouring out. It'll cloud the garage completely. Changed plugs because the needed it. Changed PCM due to an internal fault P0600. Problem happens with both PCMs. Disconnected upstream O2 sensor, no change. Verified proper TPS operation with scanned attatched.

Don't know temp sensor readings cold but they are normal at temp (212F). No codes other than what I cause by testing. Also don't know fuel pressure yet. Will check soon. Any clues? Thanks

If your scanner shows live engine data, it should show what the coolant temp sensor is doing and the 02 sensor as well. Smell of the crankcase oil dipstick, if it smells like gas, I wouldn't even drive it, till you fix. Oil and filter change after fix, if it still smells like gas, change it again.

Checking the fuel pressure is a good idea. Also, check that the pressure holds for a bit, with everything off.

Alrighty, the fuel pressure runs 59-61psi which shows to be right on spec. I'll have to check the temp sensor in the morning. I've just run it down the highway so it's hot now. Would you care to enlighten me as to why the oil would smell like gas?

Tim, have you checked the Map sensor, too rich causes fuel to get by the rings which goes into your oil and also will mess up your cat. converter. How long does fuel pressure remain at 59 to 61 psi?

I just got back to this problem. I pulled the upper intake plenum and the injectors (with them still attached to the fuel rail. I turned the key on and watched the fuel nozzles and nothing. Not one injector was leaking. When the engine is cold, it really runs bad and super super rich. I've also noticed that the intake vacuum is anywhere between 7" to 10". When it warms up, the vacuum comes up to 15" to 17" and it runs much more normally. The PCM seems to track pretty close to the same as the vacuum gauge. Needless to say, I'm very perplexed. :banghead: Any body have any ideas?:runaround:

Do these flex fuel rigs have a flex fuel sensor of any type and where would it be?

Tim, cold vacuum levels seem way too low maybe someone else will chime in here before to long.