99 Windstar 171 and 174 tsb done already?

So we didn't do enough research and bought a 99 Windstar SEL which we absolutely love (leather, all power, etc) except for this minor problem that is a big headache. The check engine light with codes 171 and 174 that so many of you know about. We bought it with 92K miles on it. The check engine light came on and the dealer we got it from replaced 2 of the 4 o2 sensors. Light stayed off for a while and I got 25 mpg on the way home from NC to MD. Then the light came on and the mph slowly went down to 13/22. Got the codes ran etc and its the ever so popular 171 and 174.
We had the MAF sensor replaced as the Pep Boys guy swore that's what needed to be done. It was great for our trip down to FL--once again getting nearly 25 mpg. Then after 600 miles the light came back on and the mpg went back to 22 ish.
So, how can I tell if the TSB has already been done on this vehicle? Even if it has, should I just have it performed again?
Also, can anyone email me the TSB? I guess I can always try to get it from Ford. I have a mechanic who does good work when he knows what is wrong but doesn't seem that great at diagnosing...or maybe this Windstar is to blame. Anyway, I'd like to have him do the work.

Thanks in advance.

Have you tried taking the VIN # to the dealer? I know that they can track recall repairs, maybe they can track the TSB stuff too?

Even if they could that would not help if it was not done at a Ford dealership.

Is it a 3.8L?

The sure way of knowing would be to remove the top of the plenum and check the colour of the rubber surrounding the isolator bolts.

The new design would be green and the old black (verification please).

It really is not a huge job to get this far.

I am surprised that the o2 sensors masked the problem for a while and then the MAF sensor for another while.

Also how do you get 25MPG? I was just thinking how great it is that I am now getting about 20 MPG after fixing m,y 171/174 and I live in Canada where we use a bigger gallon.

The '99 will also have a aluminum colored front valve cover....as '99 & '00 were to have that replaced to get the improved baffle under the PCV valve.....to reduce oil being pulled into the intake.

http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

Is a GREAT link that someone posted that I think will help you.

If you have the work done for you.....this information will be of help to them as well.

Your Windstar should give you very good service.
You will want to be SURE to change the transmission fluid every 30K miles.....21K miles for "severe" service.....an auxilary transmission cooler is a good idea.
Most all brands of minivans have transmission issues.

Do some research and make SURE that you use the correct fluids for your Vehicle.....for your year.
For '99.....the correct Transmission fluid is Mercon V (not just Mercon)
the correct power steering fluid is Mercon transmission fluid (not Mercon V....or regular power steering fluid) Mobil 1 ATF is a good synthetic Mercon fluid that will work very well for your power steering.

Your owner's manual is your best source for information on what fluids to use. They will list the FORD fluid.....and a specification number.....which a different brand must meet.

If you do not have an owner's manual.....you should be able to get to a downloadable version from the Motorcraft website.....at

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/SPubs/default.asp?pageid=oghome&gutsid=spubs_serv_all_new&TYPE=OWNERGUIDE&menuIndex1=22

If the link does not work....go to www.motorcraft.com select "technical resources" Then select "owner information" from the choices on the left side.

Keeping up on your preventative maintenance will pay off big for you.

Great information from Wiswind.

I wanted to say though if you have the old style valve cover it does not necessarilly mean that the Isolator bolts and port seals have not be replaced.

I am certain that Ford would do everything on the TSB but a lot of independants and backyarders may opt to not do so. I didn't replace mine.

I have no idea how it got 25 mpg.
My wife actually bought it off ebay. It has the computer that calculated the mileage. When I drove it back from NC it was getting 24.7 mpg. Even now with the check engine light on and the 171 and 174 codes it gets 22 mpg but only 13 around town.

It is the 3.8.

Thanks for all the information. I will print it off on my color printer and try to decide if this is something I could do myself. If I can, I'll save some money. First thing I'll do though is look for Green verses black rubber around the isolator bolts.

I'm scared about the fluids warning. When I first got the vehicle I had all the fluids flushed and filled at a local oil change shop. I hope they used the right fluids!

Has anyone else done the inline fuel-filter to eliminate the oil getting into the PCV line?
I had the TSB done a few months back (including the new valve cover) but still get oil around where the PCV line goes into the intake manifold so I suspect eventually that oil going through the intake will cause more problems in my EGR ports, etc.

The '99 will also have a aluminum colored front valve cover....as '99 & '00 were to have that replaced to get the improved baffle under the PCV valve.....to reduce oil being pulled into the intake.

Just to clarify, the original LH valve cover on my 2000 was black, the replacement redesigned valve cover was aluminum colored. To verify whether yours is old or new, remove the PCV and PCV grommet and look for the hole at 5-o'clock to be sure, if you see a hole its the old design.

Has anyone else done the inline fuel-filter to eliminate the oil getting into the PCV line?

Haven't done it yet, here's a mustang pic: http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/pcv_filter.htm

I think I understand now. It sounds like you are actually reading instantaneous mileage and on the highway at a constant speed you probably should get 25 mpg and in the city 13 sounds right.

I do my mileage the old fashioned way where I fill up with a known amount and determine how far I drive. It is pretty much always a combined reading. I got 20 MPG on the canadian type gallons but it is combined highway and city (probably more city due to *(&%% rush hour).

You should get less when the light it on. Usually when the light is on something isn't reading correctly and the PCM will usually compensate with the air/fuel mixture.

Had a similar problem with my '00 SEL. Turns out that it was an intake manifold leak that was somehow sucking oil and coating the O2 sensors. I happen to have an extended power train warrenty (long story there too), and the stealer repaired it under the power train warranty. No problems since... Good luck

As for the gas,I get 27 on the hwy and around 19-20 in the city running synthetic motor oil. But when my engine light came on the gas mpg started to get lower after reseting in went back up. Don't know if the obd has anything to do with that but as for my tsb issue It still need to be done on mine. I did get the famous 171 174 as well replacing the pcv valve helped for a few months but switch back to the motorcraft pcv valve and the light came back on. Recleaned the groment to make sure it had a good seal and the light has yet to come back on. So Im still waiting to see what happens before i start my tsb project.

So we didn't do enough research and bought a 99 Windstar SEL which we absolutely love (leather, all power, etc) except for this minor problem that is a big headache. The check engine light with codes 171 and 174 that so many of you know about. We bought it with 92K miles on it. The check engine light came on and the dealer we got it from replaced 2 of the 4 o2 sensors. Light stayed off for a while and I got 25 mpg on the way home from NC to MD. Then the light came on and the mph slowly went down to 13/22. Got the codes ran etc and its the ever so popular 171 and 174.
We had the MAF sensor replaced as the Pep Boys guy swore that's what needed to be done. It was great for our trip down to FL--once again getting nearly 25 mpg. Then after 600 miles the light came back on and the mpg went back to 22 ish.
So, how can I tell if the TSB has already been done on this vehicle? Even if it has, should I just have it performed again?
Also, can anyone email me the TSB? I guess I can always try to get it from Ford. I have a mechanic who does good work when he knows what is wrong but doesn't seem that great at diagnosing...or maybe this Windstar is to blame. Anyway, I'd like to have him do the work.

Thanks in advance.


had same problem with my 99 windstar and just follow this web page
http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html like i did and both codes were gone. had almost 1,000 miles on it since i did it and normally it takes me 300 miles and both codes come back.