What happens is there are plastic bushings that hold the acuator linkage in. These are available from ford dealers. They are about $10. I had the same deal on my 98. Without the plastic bushings the linkage won't stay in.
I have both a 1996 Windstar 3.8 and a 1997 F-150 4.2. They both have the IMRC setup. Very cool design! At any rate, these runners (inside the intake) can get clogged up with intake gunk. Ford says you can and should use injector cleaner spray to keep these things operating freely. You simply need to remove the upper intake manifold and spray them out. On the F-150 the vacuum pots are at the back of the engine (pain!). There are little black, snap in bushings that connect the actuator rod of the pots to the IMRC rod. Ford says that you should replace these bushings if you ever need to disconnect them. I personally have reused them if they don't break. The part is available from Ford for about $8.00. Dorman also makes the part for cheaper (rockatuto.com) Part# 47099.
At any rate, when vacuum is applied to the pot it closes the IMRC butterflys. If vacuum is off or inoperative the IMRC will remain open. For most around town driving the IMRC is closed. The IMRC opens at about 3500RPMs.
Quoted:
The IMRC system has two intake manifold runners per cylinder for air flow into the combustion chamber. One runner is always open and the other is commanded open by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Below approximately 3000 rpm, the valve plates are closed and above approximately 3600 rpm, the valve plates are opened. The PCM also receives a signal from the IMRC system indicating valve plate position. The quantity of air metered to the engine is controlled by the throttle body assembly.
The IMRC system also has a housing and actuator assemblies. The IMRC housing assembly is an aluminum casting with two air intake passages for each cylinder. One passage is always open and the other is opened or closed with a butterfly valve plate. The IMRC Actuator is either a remote mounted electro-mechanical control actuator or a direct mounted vacuum actuator type system. In the remote system, the IMRC housing valve plates are held closed with a return spring located on the valve plate shaft. When commanded open by the PCM, the IMRC actuator pulls on the IMRC shaft assembly using an accelerator type cable. On the direct mounted vacuum actuator system, the return springs are located within the vacuum actuator. The PCM commands a vacuum control solenoid allowing the vacuum to pass to the vacuum actuator drawing the valve plates closed or releasing the vacuum allowing the actuator to push the valve plates open. Substantial opening and closing torque is applied in both systems. Care should be taken to keep fingers away from the lever mechanisms when actuated. It also provides a switch signal to the PCM for the plate position.
End Quoted
Regardless, I have never had the actuators fail. Probably because I kept the butterflys clean by blasting them off with spray once every year or so. I simply remove the upper intake and get in there. Not too big a job at all. But that way the butterflys move freely and don't put undue strain on the actuator's diaphragm.
I have both a 1996 Windstar 3.8 and a 1997 F-150 4.2. They both have the IMRC setup. Very cool design! At any rate, these runners (inside the intake) can get clogged up with intake gunk. Ford says you can and should use injector cleaner spray to keep these things operating freely. You simply need to remove the upper intake manifold and spray them out. On the F-150 the vacuum pots are at the back of the engine (pain!). There are little black, snap in bushings that connect the actuator rod of the pots to the IMRC rod. Ford says that you should replace these bushings if you ever need to disconnect them. I personally have reused them if they don't break. The part is available from Ford for about $8.00. Dorman also makes the part for cheaper (rockatuto.com) Part# 47099.
At any rate, when vacuum is applied to the pot it closes the IMRC butterflys. If vacuum is off or inoperative the IMRC will remain open. For most around town driving the IMRC is closed. The IMRC opens at about 3500RPMs.
Quoted:
The IMRC system has two intake manifold runners per cylinder for air flow into the combustion chamber. One runner is always open and the other is commanded open by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Below approximately 3000 rpm, the valve plates are closed and above approximately 3600 rpm, the valve plates are opened. The PCM also receives a signal from the IMRC system indicating valve plate position. The quantity of air metered to the engine is controlled by the throttle body assembly.
The IMRC system also has a housing and actuator assemblies. The IMRC housing assembly is an aluminum casting with two air intake passages for each cylinder. One passage is always open and the other is opened or closed with a butterfly valve plate. The IMRC Actuator is either a remote mounted electro-mechanical control actuator or a direct mounted vacuum actuator type system. In the remote system, the IMRC housing valve plates are held closed with a return spring located on the valve plate shaft. When commanded open by the PCM, the IMRC actuator pulls on the IMRC shaft assembly using an accelerator type cable. On the direct mounted vacuum actuator system, the return springs are located within the vacuum actuator. The PCM commands a vacuum control solenoid allowing the vacuum to pass to the vacuum actuator drawing the valve plates closed or releasing the vacuum allowing the actuator to push the valve plates open. Substantial opening and closing torque is applied in both systems. Care should be taken to keep fingers away from the lever mechanisms when actuated. It also provides a switch signal to the PCM for the plate position.
End Quoted
Regardless, I have never had the actuators fail. Probably because I kept the butterflys clean by blasting them off with spray once every year or so. I simply remove the upper intake and get in there. Not too big a job at all. But that way the butterflys move freely and don't put undue strain on the actuator's diaphragm.
Hope this helps.
Mine both failed! One failed on the electrical side,the other failed on the vacuum side.
__________________ 2007XL R/Cab,4.2 V6,auto
The anticipation of death is worse then death itself!
Yes, that's unfortunate and expensive!! Try removing your upper intake and getting in there and cleaning it out. You'll see all that usual maple syrup and gunk that hinders their proper operation. If those actuators have to fight the gunk in there and it is sticking, you'll be replacing them again.
Yes, that's unfortunate and expensive!! Try removing your upper intake and getting in there and cleaning it out. You'll see all that usual maple syrup and gunk that hinders their proper operation. If those actuators have to fight the gunk in there and it is sticking, you'll be replacing them again.
Ouch!
Nah,I wont! I sold that truck!
__________________ 2007XL R/Cab,4.2 V6,auto
The anticipation of death is worse then death itself!
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2007XL R/Cab,4.2 V6,auto
