codes 171/174,dealer fixed problem....

First I would like to thank everyone who shared there knowledge and know how, about this problem THANK YOU
I have a 2000 windstar with 30,000 Mls on it and the CEL came on, I took it to autozone and the codes 171/174 came up,but before that i had changed the O2 sensors(yea i know now).So I took it to the ford dealer and they checked it out and came back with a intake manifold gasket leak...171/174 codes Wanted at least $1.000 to repair,plus other things that they added on (30,000 checkup)
There is TSB bulletin out on this and it states that it is a emmission problem and is covered on the 8 yr-80.000 mls warrenty on the emmission, I took the tbs bulletin to the dealer and proved the problem was the isolater bolts that causes the failure of the gasket,The tbs states that "you dont replace intake gasket just the bolts" and this was in Fords own words
They agreeded to do the job No Charge! yep, can you believe it? Even replaced the valve cover and gasket,reprogramed the pcm,replaced the vaccuum line and everything else on the tsb bulletin.
Alot of credit has to go to this site it helped me out alot http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html
You got to do your homework and be persient

Thank you

Can you post the TSB number, the one that we've all seen (03-16-1) does not mention anything about the repairs being covered under warranty.

The TSB #03-16-1, on page 4, under warranty status, it states "Eligible under the provisions of bumper to bumper warranty coverage and Emissions Warranty Coverage". The service manager told me about the 8yr-80.000 ml coverage on the emmisions..

The emissions warranty for a 2000 Windstar is 3 years/36,000 miles (outside of California). Items covered under the emissions warranty for 8 years/80,000 miles include only the following per the Clean Air Act:

catalytic converter
compuvalve
PCM
onboard emissions diagnostic device
vehicle communication link (VCL) module

Maybe Ford has decided to quietly include the repairs for this TSB in the items covered under the 8 year/80,000 miles warranty. Hopefully that's the case, thanks for posting this.

I too have fell victim to the 171/174 codes and the Quality Care dealer wants $489 for the job on my '02 Windstar LX. I found a link that has the entire TSB #03-16-1 for those who don't have it handy (http://members.fortunecity.com/donkeytrader/TSB_03-16-1.html) It has downloaded pics of the bulletin with a nifty diagram as well.

I plan on taking it, a printout of bubba's experience with Ford and the knowledge that this IS a known problem that should be repaired by Ford being as they knew enough to redesign the bolts. I don't know if they will actually do it, but I'd be happy with a 20-30% copay if not for free! I'll let you know how I make out.