Need help with P1518 & P0303!!!

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar. I have had my check engine light come on for a while then go back off and it has been coming up with the code P1518. It has been idling a little rough when first being started or at a stop light. Not too bad though and not all the time. Well last week it started acted up really bad and the check engine light came on flashing. I took it to the autoparts and had them run the codes and I got the P1518. I came back here and did some reading and sure enough one of the clips/bushings on the IMRC was missing and the linkage just laying there. So I went to the dealer and got one and replaced it and it has been running fine for a few days. This morning out of the blue it's running crappy (running rough when sitting and lower speeds but smooths out when you push on the gas) and the light came on again so I took it down to have the codes ran and it came up with P1518 and P0303. We looked at it and the IMRC appeared to not be moving the linkage to open and shut the valves so we thought we'll just replace the IMRC. We did that and guess what...still not moving and it's still running crappy and now hear a knocking noise. So something is not telling the IMRC to move the linkage to open and shut the valves to the intake manifold. Now I am stumped with this new knocking noise and it's still not working properly. Just thought I would check with you guys to see what you thought or any insight you might have. Thanks so much!!!

Laurie :banghead:

Hello Laurie,P0303 #3 cylinder misfire have u done checking on cylinder?? how many miles??what engine? i'd start with checking for spark
BTW lots if info here do a search on the windstar forum, use P0303 as a search word good luck

It is a 3.8 engine and it's got around 80,000 miles I think on it. I checked and that cylinder is getting spark. So I am lost still at this point....

Thanks!

I am not familiar with the 1999 and newer IMRC.....
They are electrically operated....and the older ones (1996-1998) are vaccum operated.

For the misfire.....you are at the point where spark plug wires and coil pack could be causing problems.
Also....fuel filter and a good fuel system cleaner are due......and Berryman's B-12 Chemtool seems to work the best on our fuel injectors.

You are also at the point that EGR ports in the lower intake manifold could need cleaning.
A misfire on cylinder(s) 3 and/or 4 is often caused by clogged EGR ports.

All of these things are "routine maintenance" items that should be looked at before looking at more expensive / complex things.

We have changed out the spark plug wires and it did not help at all. Now it's running better when idling but bad when you put it into drive or reverse. I am going to check the EGR port for clogs and the coil pack. If it's not those things then what would you try next? Could it be a bad injector?? I had a guy tell me it could be but what do you think??

Thanks!
Laurie

have you by chance replaced the isolator bolts the P0171/0174 repair? I will take a look at my manual for the P1518 and P0303 to see if I can shed any more light.

Yes the isolator bolts have been replaced. The dealership actually did that when it was still under extended warranty. Now I have driven it more and the check engine light went off and it was driving normal for awhile but then started acting up. So it's not all the time that it does it. And for the moment the check engine light is off. So not sure what else to try....

Thanks!
Laurie

have a look at my thread http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=903467

I was having similar problems and you can see what all I tried

in my case the culprit was clogged egr ports and vacumm leaks, checkk all of your egr and pcv hoses and the hoses near the firewall (I had a thin White plastic hose that snapped after fixing that all of problems were solved)