1996 Windstar (3.8L) Codes P0300, P0301, P0304, P0305, P0306

Donaldu · **Joined:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:51 pm **Posts:** 24

I am getting the misfire codes and the van is spitting and sputtering as well, seems to be fine in park and idling.

I have checked the Plugs, wires and coil pack and all seem to be working fine. Any suggestions on what could be causing this problem as it seems to be strange that the van idles perfectly with no missing in park???

Don

Sponsored Links · **Joined:** 29 Jun 2004 08:12 pm **Posts:** N/A

Mohawkmtrs · **Posted:** Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:49 am

Missing under load can be a sign of secondary ignition problems.

When was the last time a tune-up was done?

Donaldu · **Joined:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:51 pm **Posts:** 24

I just finished changing the head gasket on this van and changed all of the plugs and wires just after this gasket was done. Could this be due to bad gas as the van was lid up for 4 or 5 months???

Don

jeff compton · **Posted:** Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:50 am

So the misfire came after the headgasket repair? No vaccum leaks anywhere then? Is the fuel pressure correct? Did you use the correct spark plugs and a reputable brand of igntion wires? I think if i remember correctly some Ford vans had issues with egr ports plugging up causing misfire faults and problems with vaccum leaks from the intake and internal to the engine because of pcv issues or something like that? I guess you could drain the tank and refill it with fresh gas to see if the misifres clear up but I'd check those other things as well if this is occuring since an engine repair

Donaldu · **Joined:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:51 pm **Posts:** 24

There are no vacuum leaks, fuel pressure is correct and I have used the same Spark plugs that I have always used during tune ups.I have changed the gas and even put in the best grade of gas with no change in the way the van runs.

How do I fix the egr ports if they are plugged up???? I have heard that this may be the issue from numerous sources but need to no how to fix this so I can eliminate this possiblility.

Don

jeff compton · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:11 pm

But Don did it miss before the head gasket repair? If not then I'd say something has been overlooked fropm the previous repair that's causing it too miss or something was damaged form the hood being up etc for 5 months. If it missed before the headgasket job then I'd wonder whether the heads were warped, valve sealling issues etc. As for the plugged ports I think they clean them when the heads are removed and inspectted/overhaulled etc.

Donaldu · **Joined:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:51 pm **Posts:** 24

No the engine didnt misfire pryer to the Head gasket repair. I was thinking that I would remove the intake manifold and EGR valve completely clean them and run through each vacuum line one by one to ensure that there are no vacuum leaks.

All of these hoses that are connected to the intake are very hard and brittle(like hard plastic), is this normal?

I have just remembered that during the head gasket repair I broke one of the vacuum lines at the back of the intake. I repaired it using alum. tape, not sure if this would be the cause of the misfires or not??

Donaldu · **Joined:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:51 pm **Posts:** 24

I removed the intake and the EGR ports were clogged (4 out of the 6 anyways). Once I cleaned them the Mis-fire has stopped.

Thanks to everyones advice.

Don

barteng · **Joined:** Sun Mar 26, 2006 6:46 pm **Posts:** 1

Hey DonaldU - concerning your 1996 Windstar 3.8 - I have a 1998 3.8 with a recurring P0301 and have replaced almost all the ignition stuff but code keeps recurring. Do I understand your postiing "removed the intake" to mean "removed the intake manifold"? email me direct if you like.

Larry
barteng@hawaii.rr.com

Thanks -

1996 Windstar (3.8L) Codes P0300, P0301, P0304, P0305, P0306

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