01 Engine light

[miles333]

(new to forum and very thankful to have found it!)
01 Ford Windstar has recently had the check engine light come on. Some time ago the van would idle down to a rough idle at a stoplight. This has seemed to have gone away but I thought it may be linked to the new check engine light coming on. We were told by our mechanic it was 2 oxygen sensors and would cost $319 to replace.

Can these be replaced by myself with a little auto experience?

What is a "tsb" as referred to in some other posts?

I am concerned that I will have these replaced and continue to have other problems as I have read about in the forums. How do I know for SURE that these oxygen sensors being replaced will fix the problem?

Thanks for any help.

Miles

[lewisnc100]

You really need the actual codes that triggered your check engine light, your symptoms sound like the P0171/P0174 error codes that would not be fixed by changing your O2 sensors, but you really need the codes to know for sure. Can you get them from the mechanic or from a nearby Autozone?

[garync1]

Yes you will be glad you found this site your problem like mine is most likely the intake tsb isolator bolts and seal replacement problem the dealer here wants to charge 600.00 bucks to replace but in this forum and with a little mechanic know how you may be able to do it your self.Sorry too spring it up on you like this but as a side mechanic myself I would have replaces alot of parts and still had the same problem. Your problem started out like mine rough idle at the lighs. codes came up showing o2 sensors bad. Gas miles slowly starts to receed. I took mine apart and saw a little oil in the intake which also with the tsb report you will find on this site you will also be replacing the front valve cover. I know this sounds funny but look it up, you along with everyone else have the same problem if you are still under fatory waranty you may be in luck but I am not so its going to run me around $200 in parts but really not a hard fix.I tore my intake down in 15 min but just only did the inspection took about the same amount to reasemble but the cleaning of the intake carbon will take a little longer when I start replacing the parts.Right now the blend door foor the heating and air is about too go so looks like a another problem is comming not too mention my passanger side windows don't work both front and back. The list i am sure will be growing.Hope this helps. if someone with a little know how maybe able too attach the report on this for you.

[lewisnc100]

Originally Posted by garync1

you will also be replacing the front valve cover

The 2001 came with the redesigned valve cover so that won't need to be replaced. I think you should take it one step at a time and get the codes. I have a 2000 and also got the P0171/P0174 error codes with the same symptoms, ended up just being the fuel pressure regulator vacuum line which was replaced for $10 (also documented in TSB).

[rodeo02]

Man I hate that! "Mechanic" says: Yep, got a code from your O2 sensors. Need to replace the sensors to fix the problem! That is almost never the solution. Like Lewis & Gary said, first get the specific OBDII codes (autozone will read them for free) & post them here. You probably have upper intake vacuum leaks. VERY common & relatively easy to fix.
G/luck
Joel

[garync1]

Hmmm somthing new ...I thought the TSB which i was corrected before covered to 2003 Which I thought was also the valve cove replacement.
Mine shows the pcv valve is not were the new design is. I have a little oil and carbon in the intake and the head area.Which leads me too think the breathing along side isolator bolts and etc would need to be replaced as required by the TSB. Please if you can lead me to, what I have lost with cp issues to the TSB. I seen the others. there was one that showed were too check on the valve cover to see if it was not updated before the problem was discoverd.The last time I thought mine was to be replaced. I thought my van was a 2000 but it is a 2001. Well may have to do some more searching ..

[lewisnc100]

The TSB covers 99-2003, but the valve cover step says the following:

(1999-2000 ONLY). Inspect the LH Valve Cover, it should be a (3F2Z-6582-BA).

Also the vacuum line I mentioned says the following:

(1999-2001 ONLY). Inspect the vacuum line from the intake manifold to the fuel pressure regulator for looseness, leaks and/or oil contamination and replace Vacuum Line (XF2Z-9E498-DD) if required.

So the TSB covers all models, but some of the items to check and replace are specific to certain model years.

Luckily in my case it was just the vacuum line (for now anyway) and I replaced the valve cover as well.

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by garync1

Hmmm somthing new ...I thought the TSB which i was corrected before covered to 2003 Which I thought was also the valve cove replacement...

I wouldn't sweat the valve cover replacement. From the way it looks, you still get oil carry-over with the 'new and improved' 1999-2003 valve cover. It really boils down to the design of the plastic upper intake on this engine. All engines draw some oil from the PCV system. You see it on most modern 'dry intake' fuel injected engines. The windstar's particular intake design causes oil to collect & pool in the nooks & crannies, causing isolator bolt seal degredation. The new isolator seals should fix the problem.
G/luck
Joel

[wiswind]

TSB = Technical Service Buletin, They are issued by FORD to the dealership service departments to help them address specific issues.

I have read a number of places, if you replace the PCV valve, buy a Motorcraft one. Some aftermarket PCV valves can permit too much air to pass through them....which draws excessive oil....
Although as already posted, some oil is normal.....it enters as vapor....and when it combines with the cooler air in the upper manifold....becomes liquid again.

The Oxygen sensors rarely actually fail. Often replaced.....and you can buy them for about $40-60 each. My '96 has 4 of them (2 catalytic converters with a oxygen sensor before and after each one). From what I've read, the sensor before the converters are used for the air / fuel mix, and the sensors after the converters are used to monitor the function of the converters.

Just this weekend, I was changing the Catalytic Converter assembly (which includes both converters, and the pipes to the exhaust manifold) on my '96 3.8L.....
I took my oxygen sensors out of the old unit...using a oxygen sensor socket (just a regular deep socket with a slot on the side to accomodate the wires).
With VERY little force......the whole mounting ring for the rearmost sensor.....broke right out of the back of the old converter....leaving a nice hole in the back of the converter....with no way to mount the sensor Would have been a mess if I was just trying to change the oxygen sensor.

[garync1]

I WILL SAY THANKS guys You may end up saving me more money
I have rebuilt a few engines in the past but the tec. on these newer cars seem to baffel me. I whent too School about 14 years ago to be a machanic but got a good paying Job through Goodyear I make more there than if I were a mechanic unless I open up my on shop but if you don't keep on top of the changes you get left behind . The Internet is the best thing for info and Iwant to Thank every one for sharing info.If we keep this up we can tell the dealer how to fix them.OH by the way when I went to school the GM quad 4 engine was the new tec. Hidden spark plugs and a ccps was new, no timming adjustment needed. Now about every one has them. Many thanks I well keep you posted.Gary

[windstarprob]

My problem is that my 2001 Ford Windstar has failed emissions. They said its the oxygen sensor or the Egr valve. Ijust want to know the process of fixing the RGR valve myself or a good site with pictures to show me how to replace it.