'00 windstar code po171 and 174 intake manifold?

so my mechanic told me the problem is the intake manifold. need new lower gasket and bolts? he also said to do this i need the van reprogrammed? he estimated about $270. Would that be right to say cost wise? i'm a dummy with cars and i don't want to be screwed. Thanks

Full details on what needs to be looked at can be found at this link
http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

$270 to replace the 6 port seals, 8 Isolator bolts and to reprogram the PCM???

That sounds like a good deal. Look into what Wiswind's link to learn wghat is required and what your mechanic is planning to do. The bolts and seals are the main part of the repair.

I think that 270 is a little low for the lower intake gasket and iso bolts. If you are having that done you may need other things done too such as plunum gaskets replaced, egr ports cleaned, injectors cleaned, stat replaced plus oil change. It it labor intesive because it extremly hard to be done with out removing the cowl etc. Therefore having the extra things done and replaced is recommened, in the LONG run it will be cheaper. I paid 468 dollars to have done all the above except isolator bolts I dont have them. I did have 2 upper intake manifold bolts replaced they broke/stripped and had the runner control bushings replaced 2 little plastic bushings alone were 15 dollars. If you are not losing coolant into the cylinders you may not need the oil change done. If I may add, the mechanic may RE SET the computer but it may not be necessary to reprogram it. Good luck. VM

Pardon me if I have your engine design mixed up with the 98 3.8. VM

I just did it this weekend on my '99. Mine didn't show the codes, it was more preventitive and I hope by doing so it will increase my mileage. $270 is a pretty good deal if that includes labor. The isolator bolts and six intake gaskets alone were about $75. The TSB requires you also replace the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose, this is about $20, but mine was in good shape. They also told me it would not need to be re-programmed unless the CEL stayed on, but it was never on to begin with. Total time involved was about 3.5 hours, this includes a good cleaning of the intake manifold, EGR ports and both halves of the plenum.

Full details on what needs to be looked at can be found at this link
http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html
Terrific job on the photos and the descriptions in this link! The car did exhibit the error codes and the intake was covered in oil. This was an easy job because of the excellent instructions.
If I may add one tip- The author suggests either removal of the cowl or using a 2x4 to lift it. I just notched a 6'' section of the fiberglass lip on the cowl. I'm sure it will not compromise the structure of the cowl. You then just lift the intake and just do a clockwise rotate and it out!
Thanks again.

-Ray

I have 2001 and just did the fix this past weekend. The instructions are great and easy to follow. Took me about 5 hours total and cost about $50 in parts. Lordco can supply the parts. Don't buy the Ford bolts as they are about $16 x 8 and the gaskets are about $75. From Lordco you can get the grommets (Felpro #ES72204) to go on the existing bolts for about $10 and a complete gasket set (Felpro #MS90812) for $40. Pretty easy fix and I am not that inclined to fix vehicles at all. Keep in mind this was for a 2001, but probably the parts are the same...I am sure Lordco can confirm this. By the way, to reset the computer all you have to do is remove the negative terminal from the battery and the engine codes are cleared until the computer picks up a problem again.

I believe the reprogramming of the PCM is recommended if the LH valve cover is replaced. Lots of good info on this subject in the first thread of this forum. I replaced the valve cover on the my 2000 3.8 without any reprogramming.

Looking back at the reciept for parts I paid $88.67 from 1stfordparts.com which included all the gaskets, bolts, seals and vacuum hose. The bolts were $5.44 a piece. Just like Andrew1941 I did the job as preventative as I was replacing the plastic upper intake with a new one. A very easy job to do.

Hi all, I did my 2002 this past weekend as well. My parts were $93 with shipping for Ford parts (no Valve cover) from an online Ford dealer.

Mine took me longer because I wasn't prepared with tools, etc, but I got through it. See my comments on this thread

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=338113

Penguinix