garync1 tsb Issue

Hey guys some of you cleared up some problems for my tsb issue earlier
I got the trouble codes and they are po171- po174 . They do say its both 1 and 2 02 sensors.I also learned that maybe my valve cover may not need replacing. my valve cover number says 498-359-284 and on the side it has 542 thats all the numbers I could get off of it. That was the front cover. The issue I have is my pcv valve is very loose in its gromet. I am wondering if maybe that is giving me the engine light. I am use to a pcv valve being rather snug but also have seen them rather loose but of course not dealing with ford OBD code to trigger. I did notice my Ford is a 2001 but the valve cover had a 2000 date on it. But I sure it was a mid year made van. I will still do more checking. Any other info please share. Thanks gary. Ohh tried to take my stereo out to do a blend door fix tried everything but would not come out. My friend has the 4 prong extractors Ill get him to pull it out. Hope he want charge me... LOL ACC tourny starts today better hurry up .

You can buy a new gromet for the PCV valve.
YES, it can cause a code.....as the air that goes into the opposite valve cover to replace the air that is drawn out through the PCV valve.....is measured by the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor.
Point being.....if air is leaking around the gromet for the PCV valve....that is air to the engine that the computer does not know about.

The "breather" that is located on the opposite valve cover has a hose that goes into the big flex hose that goes from the air filter assembly to the throttle body.....Make sure that it is in place as well.

I also think you were unsure of whether or not you have the latest version of the valve cover.

The TSB (which is posted in this forum or at least a link to it is) shows the steps for determining which Valve cover you have.

Again thanks for your replys I will change the gromet and the PCV valve today. That will begain my trouble shooting as far as the obd light. Ihad already pulled the intake before as mentioned before. A few months back I notice a knock in the intake area after pulling and cleaning an inspect. the knock went away. As far as a little oil in the intake it was fine the isolator bolts were tight and seals looked good. I did not infact get the light till I had checked the vacuum line running to the pcv valve. When i inspected the pcv valve it was snug but when i pulled it out I was never able to get it back in tight. I disregared this because I have in the past had some that were kinda loose but they were older model cars that really did not rely on the obd system. When I had the codes pulled it came up as the o2 sensors as mentioned before. I only remembered this after finding some of my notes joted down from last January when i thought the knock was a rod .But after reading other post I thought it could be other wise.So my investigation goes on but like you all have mentioned check every thing else first and I agree. Thanks again,Gary

Just to inform I went and pulled the gromet, my valve cover is an updated one, no small hole as info in tsb, cleaned the gromet with dish liquid for its grease and oil cutting properties. getting a new pcv valve but old one went in much better. DUUHHHHHHH me i should have done this before if you got oil around it of course it will be loose. The gromet is in really good shape so I will reset the obd and see what happens may still replace other items on the tsb just to keep with updates http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html
http://leckemby.net/windstar/tsb1.jpeg
http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html
Just for those who may want to research and to bring it closer to the front again here are some sites you can research this issue. Again thanks guys and of course if other info is out there throw them in..
quick note though my problem with the valve cover that threw me was I thought the updated one was metal but that was the replacement. I guess they wanted to keep plastic in the game. Or mine looks to be black plastic. Thanks,gary

I would recommend that you buy ONLY the Motorcraft brand of PCV valve. Other brands can permit too much air to pass through....pulling more oil.

I wonder if ford did this so you would have to by motorcraft replacement parts. I only use motorcraft oil filters because i heard some used other brands and begain having problems with there oil pumps.I was using motorcraft oil but wanted total synthetic in the engine instead of a blend. I use mobil now. I will buy a motorcraft pcv valve. Have you seem them sold at any parts stores.I have been able to find motorcraft at wal-mart but not much luck any were else.I have a dealership just one mile down the road.

www.rockauto.com carries a number of motorcraft parts.

I am using Mobil 1 oil and Wix filters (I get the Wix filters at rockauto also) for $4.30 each plus shipping).
I change every 3K miles.

I order a number of the filters at a time....otherwise
shipping for one filter will run the price up.