Oh Crap!

I have a 98 Windstar GL with 124,800 miles and a bad hub. At least that's all I thought was wrong with it until driving home from work friday morning. The CEL came on. Ok, I figured my 1537 was back again from when I cleared the code on tuesday. After another 5 minutes of driving, the van started to shake slightly, the CEL was now blinking off and on and looking out the rear view mirror I see white smoke trailing me. Did I lose the head gasket?

Thanks

Really, without your codes and knowing if something else under your hood may be bad, that very well would be a reasonable first conclusion. I cannot connect the dots from your stuck open IMRC code to white smoke, but mmaybe someone else can. You didn't say, but I assume that it was coming from your tailpipe. If you are not familiar with the code descriptions, there is a wonderful reference sticky that Wiswind p ut together at the top of this forum. Good luck.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=677408

I'm sorry. The white smoke was coming from the tail pipe. I haven't had a chance to catch up to my buddy who has a ODBii scanner. I've had the 1537 code for over a year but I only drive the van once a week for a 40 mile round trip. When I sniff over the engine it smells like something is burning but I can't see anything. It weas just a quick guess.

If it IS a coolant leak into the cylinder(s), the more likely suspect on your year would be the lower intake manifold gasket, which can leak coolant into the lower intake manifold, which is then drawn on into the cylinder(s).
The lower intake manifold gasket is the gasket that goes in between the lower intake manifold (alluminum) and the head.
The upper intake manifold gaskets are re-usable, but the lower is not.
I have pictures posted in the pictures that the link in my signature takes you to that shows, step-by-step, what is involved in the lower intake manifold gasket replacement process.
This is a link to the first of the series of pictures http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2529449750011220610bclxqN
The parts to do the lower intake manifold gasket should be, very roughly, $50 from FORD.
The parts and labor would be, again very roughly, $450-600.
Of course, a diagnostic by a good mechanic is in order first.
If it IS the head gasket (not very likely, but possible), the lower intake manifold gasket job is a part of the head gasket job.

If you end up doing, or having, the intake manifold gasket job, I would also replace the coolant cross over pipe (shown in my pictures....with the lower intake manifold gasket job series) and the thermostat.
Of course, you MUST change the oil and oil filter before starting the engine as you will get a lot of coolant into the oil.

You can get your code(s) read for FREE at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and many other auto part stores.
Make SURE that you get the actual numeric code(s), they will be happy to give them to you, but you usually have to ask because most people don't know what to do with the numeric code.....but you do.......a internet search on the code will get you a lot of suggestions.

Just be aware when doing a internet search.....a LOT of people jump at the head gaskets for any coolant that gets into the cylinder(s).......and lower intake manifold gasket failure is much more common on modern vehicles than it used to be.
The 1995 3.8L windstar was known for head gasket failure.....but not the other years.
Post 1995 3.8L windstar coolant leaks to watch for are the lower intake manifold gaskets and the front cover, aka timing cover, gasket.

Of course these leaks will also cause you to need to add coolant to the vehicle......
I have had my radiator cap not seal properly (now replaced) and cause the overflow bottle to be out of the loop......full overflow bottle, cooling system low on coolant......I always caught it early so I did not have a problem.....but squeezing the upper radiator hose can tell you.....it feels different when it is full of coolant than it does with some air in it.

The IMRC on our 1996-1998 vehicles are vaccum driven.
The IMR butterflies are held OPEN by springs.

This is a link to a close up picture of the Rear (bank 1) IMRC on my '96 http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2818039750011220610NJerWA
Parden the crusty look......I took the picture today...and it has been a long rough winter here in Wisconsin.....so there is a lot of salt and sand spray.
You can make the picture larger by selecting the "+" symbol below, to the right side of the picture.....After that....you can zoom in even more by clicking on the picture.

When you start the engine, vaccum from the intake is applied to the IMRC actuators, pulling the IMR butterfly shafts to the closed position.
When the engine speed is around 2900 rpms, the PCM sends a signal to the IMRC vaccum control solenoid to interrupt the vaccum source to the IMRC actuators, causing the IMR butterflies to open.....giving you more power.
I do NOT recommend racing the engine to see if they work.......as I mentioned, they will be OPEN with the engine OFF.......and CLOSED with the engine at idle....if they do that, they are working.
The most common cause of problem is a leaking diaphram in one of the IMRC actuators......requiring that it be replaced.
On 1999 and newer......which are electrical, not vaccum , driven, a common issue is the small nylon bushing that the shaft from the actuator goes through to pull the IMRC shaft......breaks....falls out....etc.
This is not as common with the 1996-1998 version....but can happen.....so a visual inspection is in order.

I tried to start the van a few days ago. I turned the key and there was a very loud noise. I can't describe it but I promptly took the key out, closed the door and went in the house. Possible coolant in the cylinders?