Thanks to leckemby for his efforts in documenting the solution to this problem and for all on this forum to help solve PO171 and P0174 CE codes from my 1999 Windstar. The vechile runs great except I still get part throttle pinging on regular 89 octane fuel. I'm wondering if anyone that has performed this repair at home has an experience that going to FORD for the PCM reprogramming outlined in their TBS would fix this for sure?

I am curious. Did you do the repair yourself, and if so, how long did it take you? Did you clean the EGR ports at the same time? Thanks. Go Oilers!

I have read that the PCM programing slightly retards the timing to address the pinging issue. The oil going into the engine builds up carbon in the cylinders....which increases the compression, which causes the pinging.
I do not know if there is anything else in the re-program other than the retarding of the timing.....but the problem you mention, is the same problem that I have read that the re-program also called re-flash is to address.

Frostie,

I did the work myself. I used this website and this web address to give me guidance. http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html. Great help!

The teardown took about 40 mins. After a sandwich and beers it took about about 1 hour to clean everything up. I reassembled to the whole works in about 1 hour. Total time for the job was about 3 and 1/2 hours, beer included. The pictures and descriptions make the job sound worse than it is.

Expect about $150 for parts (just the isolator bolts and port seals)

I cleaned the EGR Ports but mine were not as bad as the ones in the picture. I decided to not change the plugs. This is not a part of the TSB but a good idea if you think they need them. Access at this time for the back 3 is great. I pulled a couple and gapped out fine, no issues with plug failure and no signs of carbon.

Oilers need all the support they can get. Their in tough without Rolli. They'll need to keep the games boring and in complete control defensively to win. Sorry to all the hockey fans looking for Edmonton's free wheeling style. Go Oliers Go! "Bore" them to the cup!

Wiswind,

Thanks for the advice.

I'm also wondering what Ford will charge for the re-flash. Would you know?

I also heard of a two parts system to clean carbon from upper combustion chambers. One for the fuel rail and another to spray through the throttle body, both while running. I'll be doing this this week if I can find this. My jobbers haven't heard of this which I find very odd. I used to use GM's Cleans which is a phenominal product for carborated vehicles. Just point the exhaust away from your house and neighbours you still like!

The 4.6L engines in the cars have similar issues, and repair procedures (retarding the timing).

MANY people have found excellant results by using a "MotorVac" treatment which is, I guess, very similar to "Sea Foam" but more effective.

General Motors also sells a product that decarbons the combustion chambers, and is HIGHLY effective.

FYI, if you can eliminate the pinging with mid-grade gas, the "MotorVac", "Sea Foam", or GM top engine cleaner will likely CURE your problem.

That's on NEXT weekends list of things to do to the WS.

ModMech,

Spent some time surfing around on both Seafoam and Motorvac. Seafoam reminds me of the GM product "Cleans". A true DIY product.

The Motorvac system seems very comprehensive and required a shop visit. I'll check out the price of the Motorvac if I can track it down around town at the repair places I know. I'll also hunt for the Seafoam product you mentioned.

I'll try this first, then the Motorvac and then to Ford for the reflash if the two previous efforts are unsatisfactory.

I'll get back to this posting after my investigations this week, unless something else comes up from other vistors to this posting this week.

Thanks to all for your help.

Our van was "cured" with using the next higher octane fuel.

I would MUCH rather see you try that than de-tune the computer (allow the Stealership to retard timing).

Here-here to the "de-tune" comment from the "stealership". Looking to avoid this at all cost, except holes in pistons!

Ken

I just completed the same fix on my 2000 Windstar and have no pinging with low octane fuel. I did replace my sparkplugs. what I didn't do was to replace the valve cover, but I may do it later.

ModMech,

The Motorvac system seems very comprehensive and required a shop visit. I'll check out the price of the Motorvac if I can track it down around town at the repair places I know. I'll also hunt for the Seafoam product you mentioned.

Thanks to all for your help.

KeninCanada,

Let me know if you ever find the Seafoam. I looked for it at Canadian Tire and UAP but they never had it.

Another data point:

I performed the isolator bolt/port seal procedure on my Windstar after consistent pinging at highway speeds. I did *not* have any error codes at the time; no 171/174 before or since. I have not had the ECM re-programmed (not sure if it's applicable to 2000). The procedure took care of it: No pinging; van runs great.

Can't find Seafoam anywhere. Motorvac system is several dollars ($100+) and the van would be in the hands of someone other than me. I went with GM Cleans product, (liquid version in a plastic bottle.) I have cured the pinging. Here's how I did it.

First, warm the engine up.

I then removed the PCV off of the PCV hose and taped a smaller diameter windsheild washer hose to the end to give me some flexibility, length and control over the following procedure.

Support the open full bottle in the engine compartment of the van. I wedged the bottle over by the battery and the rad. Start the van and use one hand to bring the revs up to 2500 RPM. dip the hose into the liquid momentarily. I used a 2 seconds on the bottle and 5 seconds out routine. Run about 2/3s of the contents of the bottle through the engine. The remaining 1/3 is used all at once at the end. the the idle fall and then plunge the hose into the bottle, suck up every last drop and let the engine stall out. I could stall the engine with the small tube diameter that I used so be prepared to run and shut the engine off on your own.

Let the engine sit for several hours.

Start the engine. Be prepared to help the engine run. It will run VERY BADLY and WHITE SMOKE will cloud your neighbourhood. Run the engine for about 3 minutes. The idle should come back. Take the vehicle for a quick highway drive for about 15 minutes to warm up the engine completely and burn off all the residual carbon from the engine internals.

Return home knowing that you stopped your pinging problem, return performance and saved a bunch of cash in the process.

Finally, change your oil and filter fairly soon after. Some blow by will occur and the oil change will make you feel much better about everything!

Ken

I did the repair about 6000 miles ago, but not the computor fix. I havent had any problems with pinging.

Can't find Seafoam anywhere. Motorvac system is several dollars ($100+) and the van would be in the hands of someone other than me. I went with GM Cleans product, (liquid version in a plastic bottle.) I have cured the pinging. Here's how I did it.
Ken

I'm assuming u bought this at a dealership. How much did it cost and how is it different from the Top Engine Cleaner ?