Rough Idle on 2000 Windstar

I have just finished replacing the port seals and isolator bolts on my 2000 Windstar 3.8L. The CEL is now off (which is great), but I now have a problem with rough idle. When stopped or parked, the engine almost sputters and bounces between 500 and 800 rpm while at idle. When driving, there is no noticeable problem. I thought I might have left a vacuum line loose or off, but after checking several times I can't find any obvious problems. I checked the IAC to see if it was dirty but it didn't look too bad to me. What am I missing?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

After replacing iso bolts and port seals on my 2000 Wind, I had an issue with the DPFE sensor. I had it checked at Autozone, got a new one and no probs since. Mine gave me a CEL with an EGR code not long after the PO 171/174 fix. I'm not sure that this is your issue, but something to look for. Did you replace the fuel press reg vacuum line? These are known to fail on the 3.8.

Thanks for the info. I decided to check for loose hoses and wire connections one more time, and found the vacuum hose at the right rear of the intake manifold loose. Put it on tight and everything is good. I would advise anyone trying to replace the port seals and isolator bolts to remove the cowl first. It makes it alot easier to see and reach the back of the manifold. I probably would not have missed the loose hose if I had done that the first time.

Thanks for the info. I decided to check for loose hoses and wire connections one more time, and found the vacuum hose at the right rear of the intake manifold loose. Put it on tight and everything is good. I would advise anyone trying to replace the port seals and isolator bolts to remove the cowl first. It makes it alot easier to see and reach the back of the manifold. I probably would not have missed the loose hose if I had done that the first time.


Can you advise a fellow 2000 3.8L owner as to where this manifold/cowl/vacuum hose is located? My 2000 3.8L SEL had the 2 codes, we got them to stop and the CEL to go away...but several months later I started having stalling problems. So far we've changed the o2 sensors, the fuel filter and cleaned the IAC...each thing helps briefly (actually the o2's were changed when I had the codes...a while ago) but within a short time I start having the low RPM variation (between 500-800 RPM during which the van literally starts lurching after a while if I don't treat it like it has a clutch except with the gas/brake pedals.)

I'm very frustrated and from what I'm reading am disheartened that I may now have a 64000mile big blue paperweight in my driveway that no one will know how to fix. It's useless right now due to the stalling at low speeds and idle (it gets stall-ish below 10mph if I go any distance, such as in traffic or edging to a light...and will turn off if I let it idle long.)