Codes 171 & 174 too lean - Page 2

lewisnc100 · 02-25-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodeo02

Thanks Lewis, that's the best explaination of that issue yet! Now I understand the "LH valve cover replacement" thing. Is there a model year ford rectified this?
THANKS!
Joel

Only the 99-00 came with the bad valve cover, the 01 and newer came with the improved version. Just to be sure you can remove the PCV valve and grommet from the valve cover and shine a light inside, you'll see the hole in the 5 o'clock position which I confirmed on mine.

Here's an even better write-up and solution to the oil problem, it's for the mustang but it is the same problem:

http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/pcv_filter.htm

The only problem is that our PCV hose is horizontal instead of vertical to allow the oil to drain back into the valve cover. But there is enough room under the hood to reroute it to provide for this setup. I know others have tried an in-line filter with limited success but I think the key is to get it installed vertically so the oil can drain back via the PCV valve.

iam4uf · 02-26-2004, 09:48 AM

Well I did the TSB last night. Took me about 3 hours. Not that hard. The mechanic at Ford gave me a print out of the exact step by step procedure for installing new bolts and seals. Which was nice. I had allot of carbon in the ERG vavles, and there was allot of oil. Van runs allot better and with more pickup. The egine light is off, guess we will see if it stay off.

iam4uf · 02-26-2004, 09:53 AM

Hey Lewis, I went to that site you posted on the valve. I think his in-line fuel filter ideal is allot cheaper than replacing valve cover. Think this would be a good idea?

lewisnc100 · 02-26-2004, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam4uf

Hey Lewis, I went to that site you posted on the valve. I think his in-line fuel filter ideal is allot cheaper than replacing valve cover. Think this would be a good idea?

Definitely, if you get that in there I wouldn't see any reason to change the valve cover assuming you have enough room to mount the filter vertically above the PCV valve. Plus even though the improved valve cover reduces the oil in the intake it doesn't eliminate it whereas this might. The new valve cover was already included on the 01 and newer Windstars yet the TSB you just did is for 99-03 models, so even the models with the improved valve cover are still having this TSB problem.

Also the frustrating part of the TSB is that you are working on the effect of the problem but never the cause. So the new bolts will keep you from getting a leak in the future, but you will still have the oil problems eventually leading to clogged EGR ports and excessive carbon deposits leading to pinging. This simple fix might be a way to eliminate the cause of the problem.

iam4uf · 02-26-2004, 01:06 PM

Why does is have to vertical, mine runs horizontal no way for me to mount vertical.

lewisnc100 · 02-26-2004, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam4uf

Why does is have to vertical, mine runs horizontal no way for me to mount vertical.

On other forums many have posted that they've tried an inline filter such as this setup but it didn't relieve the oil in the intake. If you read that guys write-up in the link, the oil vapor hits the filter and then drips back down. If the line out is horizontal then the oil might not drip back down into the PCV valve but stay in the line getting sucked through the filter. I haven't tried this fix yet but from others that have tried it the trick seems to be to allow the oil droplets a way to drip back into the valve cover. I think there is enough room under the hood to install a setup similar to this that would drip back down.

iam4uf · 02-26-2004, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodeo02

Thanks Lewis, that's the best explaination of that issue yet! Now I understand the "LH valve cover replacement" thing. Is there a model year ford rectified this?
THANKS!
Joel

I believe the new Valve covers came on the 2001 and up 3.8's.

iam4uf · 02-26-2004, 02:56 PM

Im just going to bit the bullet and get the new valve cover. I think it may help in the long run. The only thing that would be left is the PCM upgrade. I dont really think its needed, anybody else have any opinions on it?

iam4uf · 02-26-2004, 02:59 PM

By the way, if anyone out there does the owrk themselves, I recommend going to Ford and have them print out the procedure, it made it allot easier. I have it printed out and can try to fax to you guys if you think you need it. You can send me your fax number to ufrules@hotmail.com if you dont want to post. Ford may not give to everyone, I had a really nice tech print out for me at Ford even though he said he not suppose to.

lewisnc100 · 02-27-2004, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam4uf

By the way, if anyone out there does the owrk themselves, I recommend going to Ford and have them print out the procedure, it made it allot easier. I have it printed out and can try to fax to you guys if you think you need it. You can send me your fax number to ufrules@hotmail.com if you dont want to post. Ford may not give to everyone, I had a really nice tech print out for me at Ford even though he said he not suppose to.

Was the procedure they gave you just a printout of the TSB or did it have more info than the TSB instructions/pics?

iam4uf · 02-27-2004, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

Was the procedure they gave you just a printout of the TSB or did it have more info than the TSB instructions/pics?

No, its was the actual procedure, step by step. Its what the Ford Techs use when they do the procedure.

iam4uf · 02-27-2004, 12:44 PM

I just install new Valve cover. Looks like the only difference between the old and new is the small hole they talked out in the TSB that is positioned at 5 oclock under the PCV valve. Wonder if there is a way to cover the hole without replacing the entire valve cover. Too late for me but maybe someone else can figure out.

lewisnc100 · 02-27-2004, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam4uf

No, its was the actual procedure, step by step. Its what the Ford Techs use when they do the procedure.

I wonder what the difference is because the TSB has the full step by step procedure with illustrations. Are you going to see how it goes from here or try the inline filter as well?

iam4uf · 02-27-2004, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

I wonder what the difference is because the TSB has the full step by step procedure with illustrations. Are you going to see how it goes from here or try the inline filter as well?

Oh, I didnt get that. The TSB I got has 1 page illsutration. The pages I got is about 6 pages with step by step instructions.

iam4uf · 02-27-2004, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

I wonder what the difference is because the TSB has the full step by step procedure with illustrations. Are you going to see how it goes from here or try the inline filter as well?

Yes, going to see how it goes from here. Not going to do the filter becuase we may be trading the van in in about 9 Months or so. I am also going to get the PCM upgraded. The mechanis told me that its important. My local dealer is going to do it for free for all my troubles....Whoopy!

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