[oldiron]

Hello everyone,

I recently discovered your forum. What a wealth of knowledge!

I have '96 Windstar with the 3.8L engine. About a month ago I started getting a CEL that would come on flashing then go steady. This would happen while driving sometimes at highway speed sometimes at city speeds. This is accompanied by a slight miss in the engine which can't always be seen in the tachometer. The engine starts and idles fine. I read the OBII code and it show P0304, misfire in #4 cylinder.

I have read numerous post on this site that have given me a lot of good information on what to look for as the cause. I have replaced the plugs and fuel filter. Still had the problem. I have checked the fuel pressure, shows about 35psi during idle. As I rev the engine up it goes to around 42psi then settles back to 35. When I let the engine go back idle the pressure drops to 28 psi the goes back to 35. If I pull the vacum line from the fuel regulator it goes to 42 psi. So, I think the fuel system is O.K.

I'm down to the point of pulling the upper intake manifold and checking for plugged EGR ports.

My question is do I have to replace the gasket on the upper manifold or is it reuseable? I have checked with Pep-boy's who said that they could not get the gasket. NAPA only sells a kit that has the upper and lower gaskets along with several misc. gaskets to the tune of $66.00. Also, I was thinking that while I have the upper intake manifold off I would check the Injectors. Do I need to replace the o-rings? Pep-boy's and NAPA both said that they did have them. The other thing that I have seen mention was talk about isolator bolts. Can anyone tell me what these are and if my '96 has them? I do have a Haynes manual and they are not specifically mention in there.

Sorry to be so lenghty! I figure the more info that I give you guys the more it would help you answer my questions.

I would appreciate any and all input!