I changed plugs, wires on my van because it was running rough with the check engine light on. Now its on again. Auto Zone pulled code and its saying misfire on #1 cylinder. It also will go out then come back on and sometimes it will flash and run rough. I beleive I may have a blown head gasket on that side. I have noticed the antifreeze slowly disappearing for no reason and it will surge from the raditor with the cap off and at temp. Any ideas on this?
2007-02-19 22:58:14 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
When I pulled the originals it was brownish in color. I replaced the O2 sensors last fall a year ago. Also cleaned EGR ports last spring.
2007-02-19 23:24:19 · update #1
You might want to have the oxygen sensor checked this will make the check engine light come also, and make it run rough.
2007-02-19 23:10:42 · answer #1 · answered by oldmancripplecrotch 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I worked as a technician for 9 years (4 at Ford) and have seen quite a few 3.8L Windstars with the same symptoms. Usually it turned out to be blown head gaskets. I would recommend that you get an estimate to replace the head gaskets. If the estimate seems affordable and if the van is in good condition, you might want to get them done. I've done quite a few and never had one back for a second set. If the estimate seems high for what you think the van is worth, you may just want to sell it and get something else. The newer Windstars with 3.8L engines did not have the same problem.
*don't forget to replace the oxygen sensors if the head gaskets are getting done - the antifreeze that goes through combustion contaminates and ruins them.
2007-02-20 01:21:50 · answer #2 · answered by ; - } 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will need to take your vehicle to a mechanic to test for a blown head gasket. Unfortunately these vehicles are known to have bad head gaskets. A mechanic can test the compression of the cylinder, use a reactive liquid to test for combustion gases in the coolant, as well as a few other things. Autozone is not a mechanic, they can pull codes and guess what COULD be wrong with your car but they are not mechanics and they know very little about cars other than what a computer screen or a code reader tells them.
2007-02-20 01:10:48 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is possible. Did the spark plug on number 1 look clean...like it had been buffed up? Water leaking into the combustion chamber tends to clean the plug...very clean. Do a compression test. Blown head gaskets or a bad head will often allow compression into the cooling system. This is how the cooling system gets pressurized when normally it shouldn't be. The 3.8 is a very durable engine. Has it been hot? Sounds like you may be on the right track. A compression check should confirm your theory. Good luck.
2007-02-19 23:19:27 · answer #4 · answered by jeff s 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
best thing to do is pull #1 spark plug, and see what it looks like. is is wet? very white? you may have to have a mechanic (you already did the auto zone thing, i said mechanic) it could also be a number of other things, ignition coil, injector, etc. etc. look at your spark plug, maybe its not gapped right or something, after that youll need to see a mechanic, or just start throwing parts at it blindly.
2007-02-19 23:05:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
.... get a mechanic to do a compression test on #1 cyl
2007-02-20 00:54:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋