99 windstar still chugging really bad.. Help please

[so2315]

I can't believe nobody has not mentioned this, have you tried checking the fuel pump? I have had several vehicles act like this and it always ended up being a defective fuel pump.

[Mom2boyzz]

Hey all,

Well, we're making progress but not there yet.

The spark plug wires were changed out today, with significant improvement.

The van is still chugging slightly, with some hesitation. No where near as bad as it was.

We'd say we're about 85% better than in the beginning, but it just doesn't want to go the rest of the way.

We're going to look for some of that Berryman's stuff, hopefully we can find it, and not have to rip apart the fuel injectors. DH is thinking it must be dirty/clogged injectors.. as everything else was pretty gunky.

The fuel pump was replaced last summer, as we let a family member borrow the van for a while, and subsequently found out they were constantly running it dry before putting gas in. Now that I think about it.. I'll be that is contributing to the problems we're having now!

Does anyone know if Berrymans is available in Ontario?
Thanks again!
Lynds

[FordGuy81]

Mom2boyzz,

Good to hear that your making progress. Running the Berryman's fuel cleaner or any other will probably take 3-4 tanks of fuel before you notice a difference.

Also make sure there are no vacuum leaks, they can cause the symtoms you have.

Keep us posted.

Bill

[12Ounce]

Originally Posted by Mom2boyzz

.....Well, we're making progress but not there yet.

.....significant improvement.

..... The van is still chugging slightly, with some hesitation.

We'd say we're about 85% better than in the beginning, but it just doesn't want to go the rest of the way.

......as we let a family member borrow the van for a while, and subsequently found out they were constantly running it dry before putting gas in. ....

How about an update on the current symptoms? There are now no engine lights? There is still some "chugging" ... when? While idling? accelerating? crusing? Deceleration? All the time? ... No pattern? When hot/cold? Any accompaning noises? Except when chugging, is the engine powerful and responsive?

Driving a modern car 'till tank is "dry" is a risky practice. The fuel pump depends on liquid for cooling. Also any particulates in the tank (there are always at least a few) have a chance to concentrate in the smaller pool of liquid and collect on the pump inlet screen, ... some are forced thru the screen and on thru the pump ... shortening life of pump and in-line filter.

[Andrew1941]

MOM,

I can't find Berryman's either and I am in the interior of BC. Nobody here has heard of it so I think it is in the USA only? Good to hear your issues are getting better.

[Mom2boyzz]

12Ounce... Current symptoms are far better than originally. No engine lights, it's chugging at idle & acceleration.. but still has lots of power. A slight hesitation during acceleration, but no problems getting up to speed, maintaining or decelerating. We haven't taken it out for a spin long enough to get it nice and hot, but I'm going out shortly to take er for a rip to see what happens. The van has basically been parked for the last few weeks now, so hasn't had much of a chance to get hot.

The thought about last summer crossed my mind as I was typing it, because I remember them bringing the van back to me, and the gas light was on.. and they were like "Oh, yeah, that keeps coming on, then I just put in $10"
Obviously, they're never allowed to borrow a vehicle again. I try not to let it get below 1/8 - 1/4 tank.

I found the Berryman's site online, and it says their products are sold at among other places Napa & Walmart... we have a Napa in our small town, so I'm going over there tomorrow to see if they carry it.

If anyone has any further thoughts, please share.. You're help is VERY appreciated!

[LeSabre97mint]

COOL! I'm SO glad that MOM is making progress on this van! I'm glad the wires made an improvement.

Dan

[FordGuy81]

Mom2boyzz,

Double check the spark plug wires on the van. Look for two things:

1) The plugs boots are firmly snapped onto the spark plugs. Sometimes you have to give a good push to make sure the boot is seated firmly.

2) Double check that the plug wires are wired up correctly. The coil pack fires two sister cylinders at one time, but if the wires are reversed on those sister cylinders it won't run 100%. There are 3 sets of two cylinders .

Your engine cylinders are numbered this way:

Passenger side back cylinders: <---1 2 3
Passenger side front cylinders:<--- 4 5 6

The coil pack is numbered this way:

5 1
6 2
4 3
v
Front of car

Keep us posted.

Bill

[12Ounce]

Its unfortunate that you aren't getting an engine light ... a code would help right about now.

Since its also chugging at idle, and not just during acceleration or hills, I'm personally taking fuel supply "off the table". I also doubt a misfire by an injector would fail to give a code and light. That leaves vacuum leaks and plugs, cables, and ig packs ... for my guess(s). Vacuum leaks gets my "favourite" rating.

[Mom2boyzz]

Well so much for that idea.

After taking it out for a spin, about 10 minutes into driving, the engine light came back on.. and started flashing again

On the way back home, the temperature guage started to rise. It didn't go all the way to the red, but about only about 1/8 away from it, then it would go back down.. be ok for a minute or so, then go back up again, and continue on like that!!

The chugging continues, pretty much the same. It had to work a bit harder to get back up to highway speeds on the way back home.. it got there all the same, but it did take longer than usual.

So I don't know what the hell to think/do now.

[FordGuy81]

Originally Posted by Mom2boyzz

Well so much for that idea.

After taking it out for a spin, about 10 minutes into driving, the engine light came back on.. and started flashing again

On the way back home, the temperature guage started to rise. It didn't go all the way to the red, but about only about 1/8 away from it, then it would go back down.. be ok for a minute or so, then go back up again, and continue on like that!!

The chugging continues, pretty much the same. It had to work a bit harder to get back up to highway speeds on the way back home.. it got there all the same, but it did take longer than usual.

So I don't know what the hell to think/do now.

Do you still have the code reader to scan the computer? Sounds like the computer picked up the code after a drive cycle or two. The flashing CEL makes me think that it is a misfire code.

Find out what code(s) the computer is reporting and post them up for us. The temp gauge is a bit strange. They're not exactly accurate to begin with. You can recheck your oil (on the dipstick) for signs of coolant in there. Also check the coolant level.


Bill

[12Ounce]

Yep, you really need that code(s). Do any parts stores in your area offer free code reading?

[LeSabre97mint]

MOM

A temp gauge acting the way you described sounds like low coolant. My guess is that the lower intake manifold gaskets are bad. I believe that this could cause a missfire too. Changing the gaskets aren't really that hard. If you've already had the upper manifold you were half way there.

I agree that the flashing light is probably a missfiring cylinder and a code should be able to be read.

Dan

[Mom2boyzz]

We went out tonight, and purchased our own ODB reader, we were sick of waiting for this other guy.

Hooked it up to the van, and nothing. It doesn't even register. No power comes on, no lights, nothing.

Hooked it up to the truck to make sure it wasn't the reader, and it works fine.. we got a P0201 code on that (trying to get THAT stupid F150 working too.. it failed the e-test)

So, I don't know.. we tried cleaning the connectors inside the van, and still nothing.

Just my luck

[12Ounce]

Check fuse #17 inside.