TSB for bad intake bolts p104 etc...

[robos88]

Is there any way to tell if this replacement has already been done on my 2000 Windstar? I purchased the vehicle used from a dealer and it had 75,000 miles on it. Any information would be appreciated. Robin.

[cabron1]

Part of the TSB is the replacement of the valve cover, if you have one black and one silver valve cover; chances are good the TSB are done.

[robos88]

Thanks for the advice, I will check that tonight after work...

[phil-l]

In particular, the original valve cover on the *front* of the engine (easiest to see) is black. The revised valve cover is an unpainted casting, and looks silver (well, when new).

While you can't guarantee that someone who updated the valve cover also replaced the isolator bolts, it's highly likely they did - particularly if a dealership did the work.

[pitteach]

If the valve cover has not been changed, the isolator bolts fix still may have been completed. The TSB calls for the valve cover replacement as it is the source of the problem, but some DIYers choose to just replace the bolts and do a quick fix to the existing baffle plate inside the oil filler hole.

The true indicator of proper iso bolt replacement are the rubber seals attatched to the bolts. If they are black, they're defective and if they are green, they have been updated. The problem is that you need to remove the plastic upper intake (clamshell) to get at these. Not hard to do, and when you do get it off, you're pretty much done with the fix.

I would say that if you are not getting a CEL or a pinging in the motor, then don't mess with it. It is not a critical fix but you will sacrifice power and precious gas mileage. My CEL came on at about 70k miles and I drove with for almost a year until I did the fix. Since then-better mileage and performance.

[robos88]

Thanks Pitteach. Do I need new gaskets if I remove the top plenum to check the isolator bolt seals? If so, I plan on getting the parts this weekend and doing it Sunday.

[pitteach]

New gaskets are not needed if you are just going to take a peek at the bolts. There is a lt blue rubber gasket that fits between the upper plenum (clam shell). Don't remove this if you can help it they have been known to expand and and can be tricky to re-install. I put a new one in because it came with a kit, but it is not necessary. If you remove the the whole plenum and the iso bolts you should get 6 new gaskets that fit between the upper and lower manifolds.