isolator bolt fix help

Hi all,
Im new here, ive got a 99 windstar w/ 85000mi, just replaced the steering rack, have abs light intermitently on, I already checked the sensors and im going to bleed the brakes this weekend. A couple of weeks ago I started hearing a valvetrain like knock, I scanned for codes and got 0720 output speed sensor, 0171, 0174 lean bank ind. I figured I would give the isolator bolt fix a whirl hoping the plenum is the culprit. well I got as far as pulling the intake bolts and the last one just spins, any ideas on how to get that little bugger out? While I was thinking about that I decided to pull the plugs. I think I found my knock problem. plugs 4,5,and 2 were all broken, the tops were just sitting inside the ceramic part, Im pretty sure I didnt break them taking them out, what would cause plugs to come apart like that they looked pretty scorched and beat up and would that cause an engine knock? Marc

I expect someone has been ahead of you ... and got confused on the required torque for the bolts and the plugs ... 84inlbs (not 84ftlbs) ... about 8ftlbs on both bolts and plugs.

Are you talking about the isolator bolts or the upper intake bolts? my problem is on the upper intake. the bolt head spins and so does the nut that is molded into the lower intake half, I cant get the intake cover off. any ideas?

If I remember correctly, all those bolts require 10nm, which is about 7.5ftlbs. Someone probably overtorque the particular bolt you are having trouble with ... causing the embedded nut to break loose.

You can try forcing the two parts apart while you are also turning the bolt head ... maybe the nut will "catch" a bit so that you can loosen.

After that fails, I would grab a rotary grinder and grind away the bolt head.

12Ounce has the right idea. Usually a little pressure upwards on the bolt can help it get moving again.

Also 12Ounce, do you know where to get a good, accurate low value torque wrench.....like one capable of 10nM?

120unce, I also have the blinking od/off light. van drives great til the light comes on then it hiccups a little and as quickly as it came its gone and the light goes out, should i replace the output speed sensor, any experience w/ this? thanks

Chase, I recommend KD Tools for a small beam torque wrench:
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http://www.kd-tools.com/29552957.htm
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I have the 1/4" #2955. I also have a Craftsman 3/8" 9-44643. You can also make your own extension/multiplier or purchase one to extend the range of the 1/4" wrench.

Here is a effort to extend a torque wrench. Not the prettiest thing on the internet, but the math is correct:
http://www.fargonasphere.com/spiders/TechTips/torque_wrench.html

Marco, I don't know much about your problem ... sorry!

120unce, I also have the blinking od/off light. van drives great til the light comes on then it hiccups a little and as quickly as it came its gone and the light goes out, should i replace the output speed sensor, any experience w/ this? thanks

Blinking OD light? Try a fluid replacement on the tranny first and see what happens. Make sure you (our whoever) use the correct fluid for your year.

P0720 is a Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor circuit failure.
Looking in Alldata, the OSS and TSS (Turbine Speed Sensor) are the same sensor.
Wish they were consistant in naming....tough enough to keep the different sensors straight.
I will update my OBDII code listing information with this OSS / TSS info.

This sensor is NOT the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS).
This sensor is located on the driver's side of the transmission, next to the output shaft (half shaft) that goes to the driver's side wheel.

To get to it, remove the driver's side tire, and when you look in where the half shaft goes into the transmission, the TSS will be located at about the 11:00 position.
It is held in place by 1 bolt.
The problem could be the sensor, or the sensor circuit, or something else.

I would expect, but don't know for sure, that this failure code would cause the O/D lamp in the gear select lever to flash.
The O/D lamp flashing is indicating that the transmission electronics is seeing a problem.

Thanks Wiswind, I think ill replace the tss, I dont have any slippage or any other symptoms so hopefully the sensor is bad. Also I found a site that has the isolator tsb parts in a kit, does it look to you like that is everything thats needed? http://www.1aauto.com/1A/ValveCover/-/-/1AEVC00013/