Windstar idles poorly after warmed up

KRUSTYLARSON

MEMBER
FORD WINDSTAR

Have 1996 ford windstar with I believe a 2.8 engine (i know it's the larger of the two) and 131,430 miles on it. It runs like a champ on the open road and when you first start it up. But after it's warmed up and you stop the engine like to go into a store or something and you re-start it, its really boggy and will cut out on you. You can get it to idle fine usually if you rev it up slowly to higher RPM's, but as the story always turns out it seems to get a little worse every day. Crazy part is, if I start it up on a cold day it idles like a champ. :

2 Replies

KRUSTYLARSON

MEMBER
4 POSTS

One thing to add is I think the exhuast may be punctured somewhere underneath the van

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Wednesday, December 13th, 2006 AT 6:50 PM

NEW_TO_DODGE

MEMBER
35 POSTS

Ihad this problem with a 1998 GL with the 3.8L V6 and 100000 miles on it. Check and see if you have proper vacuum at the intake runner manifold actuators. They are on the passenger side of the engine around the alternator. You can pull off the vacuum line and use your finger to plug the hole and see if it holds. If not you have a vacuum leak that can cause your issue.

You can pick up them up at a junk yard for cheap as the dealer will charge an arm and a leg. Make sure to get the little white plastic bushing from the dealer though. If changing one or both it is easier to remove the alternator as it is in the way of the screws holding it on.