98 Windstar 3.0

[adrianc856]

I have a 98 Windstar that is displaying codes 1537 and 1538. I have checked that both rails are moving freely. The vacuum line to the front has good vacuum but the one to the rear does not, where do I go from here??????
Please help me!!!!

[wiswind]

I am not up on the 3.0L engine.....as I have a 3.8L...
The codes indicate that BOTH banks are not working ( IMRC...Intake Manifold Runner Control ).
If you have good vaccum on 1 side....and not the other.....you may have a vaccum leak on the side that "has good vaccum". That is....If you disconnect one side......and hold your finger over it......and you have vaccum.....and the connected side closes (with the engine running at idle)....Then you most likely have disconnected the defective side.

When you connect the side that has the good vaccum.....and disconnect the other side.....and have little / no vaccum.. It is because the side that is connected is leaking.

The actuators are a "dealer only" item...and are expensive.
About the best price you will find with be at Millennium Ford in Seattle... when purchased on their website. http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214072

Make sure that all the hardware is intact.....

[Ab-normal]

I also have a 3.8L and recently replaced head gaskets as it overheated, ( stuck-closed thermostat).

I noticed that my IMRC plates were practically frozen in the open position due to gunk.

After researching it, I found that these valves, which are like butterfly valves on the older carbourated vehicles, only close below 750 RPM, which is essentially below normal idle speed for an automatic. The rest of the time they are open. I wouldn't worry about it myself.