Plenum Bolt Replacement Help

I will attempt the procedure that was so carefully detailed in this great forum - gaskets, green sleeved isolator bolts, etc, sometime next weekend.

I purchased this van from my family out of state and realized a TSB was performed on it at about 60K miles. Included intake gasket replacements. It now has 91K on the odometer. The van is like new otherwise and has been meticulously maintained. No driveablity issues, and other than the engine light (P0171), you would never know there is anything wrong. I really think this van can last a long time.

My question is, do these P0171 codes return after a couple years?? Is it possible that the dealer used replacement black shouldered bolts? The production date on the green sleeved bolt package I just bought indicate 7/06. Trying to ask questions first before taking anything apart. Thanks for your suggestions. Im new to this website, but alot of great input found in the forums. Thanks!

Here is the info on my Windstar.
2000 Ford Windstar
3.8L original 91K miles
Engine light is on - P0171 lean code

There's also a leak in the shaft to the IMRC. A dab of white grease will tell you if that's the source

Read this and try it first: http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com/2007/07/windstar-lean-codes.html

There's also a leak in the shaft to the IMRC. A dab of white grease will tell you if that's the source

Read this and try it first: http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com/2007/07/windstar-lean-codes.html

I think on the later stars such as this, the IMRC's are electric, so no vacuum loss there.

For what it is worth, I too did isolator bolts on a 2000 that had a Ford sticker under the hood related to a TSB. I think the original "fix" to the lean codes was simply a PCM re-program. On that van, and I would imagine yours too, you will find black shouldered bolts. Anyway, codes were gone after the isolator bolts and intake gaskets were replaced. No return codes after 1 year +.

Good luck.

busboy4,

Can you tell me if the 99 Stars have an IMRC that is electric ???

Thanks,
AvalonJohn

how much should it cost to have an oil pan gasket replaced if i take it in ? i have an 87 cavalier

I think the leak that RickMN is talking about is a leak at the point that the IMRC shaft passes through the lower intake manifold.
This point wears.....and air leaks in past the shaft.
The FORD repair is to replace the lower intake manifold.
The grease will temporarily seal this location.....in order to find out if this is indeed the location that is leaking.

I think the leak that RickMN is talking about is a leak at the point that the IMRC shaft passes through the lower intake manifold.
This point wears.....and air leaks in past the shaft.
The FORD repair is to replace the lower intake manifold.
The grease will temporarily seal this location.....in order to find out if this is indeed the location that is leaking.

Thanks Wiswind,

I had not heard about the issue and pictured leakage at the vacuum IMRC.

As to the question of the '99 IMRC, I cannot say for certain whether they were electrical or vacuum - may have been vacuum in early production and electric later in the year. However, one quick look will tell. The actuators are in essentially the same position (top left when looking at engine). It will be clear to you whether the actuator has an electrical connection, or whether there is a vacuum line into the top.

I'll have to check to see if this is why my van still had the codes after doing the bolt fix.

Do you guys thing it is possible to seal this from the outside with some kind of rtv?

I replaced the bolts and gaskets about 2 weekends ago and everything seems to be fine. No engine lights, no codes. Thanks for the suggestions!

Really isnt that much work to do, other than expecting to spend a few hours to complete it.