96 windstar
#1
08-29-07, 05:28 PM
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: chicagoland
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96 windstar
98k miles on 3.8l engine. i'm getting a po302/po303 codes. cylinder misfire detected in #2 and #3. car misses sometimes when the check engine light is on. connections appear to be tight.
where to start?....thanks in advance.
where to start?....thanks in advance.
#2
08-29-07, 05:35 PM
Group Moderator
On a 3.8L Ford engine the first thing I would investigate is signs of a blown head gasket. Pull the #2 & #3 plugs and see if either of them (or both) has a very clean, white center electrode porcelain from being steam cleaned from a leaky head gasket.
Could also simply be worn out plugs or plug wires. Are the plug wires original?
Could also simply be worn out plugs or plug wires. Are the plug wires original?
#3
08-30-07, 11:41 AM
Member
IIRC, the #2 and #3 are hard to get to from the top, being on the "back side" of the engine
If they are original plugs, it's time for new ones anyway
If the easily accessible plugs are new, don't assume the back ones were also changed (unless you did it yourself)
Often DIY plugs changers will skip replacing the back ones
Although they are (relatively) easily accessed from underneath, the vehicle still need to be up in the air, and a long extension is helpful
Access is easier from a little farther back then you'd think
If they are original plugs, it's time for new ones anyway
If the easily accessible plugs are new, don't assume the back ones were also changed (unless you did it yourself)
Often DIY plugs changers will skip replacing the back ones
Although they are (relatively) easily accessed from underneath, the vehicle still need to be up in the air, and a long extension is helpful
Access is easier from a little farther back then you'd think
#4
08-30-07, 11:43 AM
Member
"On a 3.8L Ford engine the first thing I would investigate is signs of a blown head gasket."
Unless it's been fixed already, you'll want to be on the lookout for this
If it was gonna go, it should have by now
But it was a problem for this vintage 3.8
Unless it's been fixed already, you'll want to be on the lookout for this
If it was gonna go, it should have by now
But it was a problem for this vintage 3.8
#5
08-30-07, 12:45 PM
I the problem worse in humid or rainy weather? Ignition wires can be checked in the evening by misting water on them with a spray bottle while the engine is idling. If you see any arcing, chances are the wires need to be replaced.
